Page 52 of Canyon of Deceit

FIFTY-ONE

THERESE

I opened my sleepy eyes the following morning in an unrecognizable bedroom with a vague recollection of how I’d gotten there.

Snippets of the truck tailing us, the firefight, and the car flipping zipped between reality and a shadow.

I vaguely recalled a teen boy and the hospital.

Wilderness-survival training failed to cover race car driving or dodging bullets.

I turned my head and winced at the sledgehammer beating into my temples. Ah, a concussion. Thank You that I’m alive.

“Sounds like you need a painkiller.” Blane’s voice made me smile.

“We’ve switched roles.”

“On a regular basis. How’s the head?”

Pay attention to him. But my sleep-filled eyes fluttered. “I’m not moving if that answers your question. Where are we?”

“Different address, another extended-stay hotel. Same agents guarding us as last night.”

Oh yes, the agents. I scrambled through my fog. “What’s the rental car look like?”

“Totaled.”

“Like my head.”

“Have you noticed we use humor to mask how awful we feel?”

“Sounds better than crying.” I swallowed liquid emotion before it streamed down my face. “Are you okay?”

“No new problems. In case you need a dose of optimism, our survival story is a bit miraculous.”

I could easily fall in love with this man. “Tell... tell me what happened. I... I simply have no recollection.”

“Do you want a pain pill first?”

“Not until I hear every detail.”

“All right. We talked to Rurik and drove to where Alina’s necklace had been found. I picked up a truck tailing us... And we were taken to this safe house.”

“God’s sure got His hand on us. The two boys—Gabriel and Michael—do you have last names?” I said.

“No. They left the scene once the sheriff’s department had their statements. I’ll find out.”

“Good. I want to express my thanks too. I’m... ready for that pain pill. Sleeping sounds better than enduring how I feel.”

Blane popped the lid to a bottle, and I lifted my head. A lightning bolt seared me.

“Let me help.” He cradled the back of my head with his hand.

I willingly chased down the pain med with water, then I remembered. “Who has the tracker?”

“Long story.”

My marshmallow mind needed a poke of reason. “You didn’t destroy it?”

“Sergio and I discussed using the transponder to draw out Falin. Currently it’s in a separate hotel with Rangers inside and a surveillance team outside.”

“Is the FBI aware?”

“I assume so. But I’m not sure what they’ve learned or their position at this point.”

Talking hurt. My face must have taken more of a beating than I thought. “Do you have a mirror?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“I wear black and blue well. Guess I’ll find out soon enough if I’m ready to enter a beauty contest. Anything else? The sleep meds are gaining traction.”

Blane chuckled. “You were talkative at the hospital. Rather entertaining.”

“What did I say?”

“I’m saving it for my future benefit.”

Had I told him he was hot or something crazy I’d never say? “Blackmail is against the law.”

“I’ll be cautious.”

Alina entered my concerns. “Is Falin holding Alina near the ship channel? Is he considering her release?”

“I wish, but other explanations are more likely, such as that the location is easier to manage the assassination’s logistics. The waterway provides an escape route either by boat or a helicopter landing.” He planted a kiss on my forehead. “Rurik is still holding out on us.”

I closed my eyes. “Getting the truth out of him is like scraping plaque off dirty teeth.”

“Great simile. My guess is Falin believes we have details about the assassination attempt and got the info from Rurik.”

“Why is Rurik alive? Why not toss a bomb into his house?”

“He must be worth more alive than dead. Whatever happens surrounding Baranov and his family’s arrival next Wednesday, you can bet Rurik plays a critical role.”

“Like he might be the one in charge?”

“Nothing is out of the question at this point.”

I startled. “Are you saying Alina’s kidnapping might be a ruse?” I dragged my tongue over cracked lips. “Of course you are.”

“You need your rest.”

“Please wake me in two hours. I want to talk about what we’re doing next.” My thick tongue barely got the words out.

“Maybe.”

I hated that word. Falin used it with deadly implications. But I was too tired, hurting too much to protest.