Page 61 of Canyon of Deceit

SIXTY

BLANE

Why had Therese left the apartment? Put herself in danger? Not even a note. I should have done the math while she poured on the Ms. Congeniality charm. Panic burst inside me... Had she been abducted?

I phoned the apartment’s business office and learned the building lacked a security cam. No surprise. The building teetered between condemned and strike a match. From the layout, she must have left through the front on foot. Unless someone picked her up.

What happened to the surveillance team assigned to keep an eye on us?

Where were they at noon? Out to lunch? I stormed to the parking lot, recognized the car, and demanded the agents tell me where Therese had gone.

No surprise they hadn’t seen her. I phoned Sergio, not that he had an explanation.

His instructions to stay put while he located her sailed through one ear and out the other.

Inside the apartment, I noted her backpack, phone, and charging cord were missing. Abductors didn’t permit victims to gather their belongings. Where had she gone, and why?

If she showed up in a few minutes with the excuse of taking a walk... I might cuff her to the kitchen sink. Or kiss her, depending on my mood.

I grasped my phone and called one of the agents at Rurik’s house. The Russian professor with the questionable motives might have heard from Therese. They confirmed she’d called for Rurik, but the conversation lasted less than ten seconds.

“She asked him to call her on another phone,” an agent said. “We haven’t found it.”

The agent handed Rurik his phone, and I asked him my burning question.

“She doesn’t want me telling her plans,” Rurik said. “It is a private matter.”

“Look at all she’s sacrificed for you. Would you send her to her death?”

“Therese is a grown woman committed to rescuing my daughter.”

The between-the-lines conversation hit me hard. “You helped her arrange a meeting with Falin. I already did that and look where it got us.”

Rurik said something in Russian, which I assumed was cursing. “I arranged things at her request.” He spouted his efforts to stop her, claiming to warn her of the danger. “She wore me down.”

“Where’s the meeting?”

“My betrayal would seal her death.”

“Contact Falin on your burner and have him call me.”

The seconds of hesitation ticked by. “All right.”

I paced the small living area until my phone rang shrill.

“Gardner, this is Jurg Falin. What do you need this fine afternoon?”

“I believe you have a child and a woman with you. Both need to be released.”

He laughed. “I have Therese as security for Monday’s exchange. Then I’ll tell you where you can find them in one piece and breathing.”

“Bring her and Alina to the landing strip.”

“My way or no deal.” Falin’s enunciation of each word showed his intent. “You want me to show you where to find their dead bodies today or where to find them alive on Monday?”

“You can guess the answer.”

“Smart man. Are we finished?”

“I’d like to talk to Therese.”

“I’ll check on her availability.”

Anger boiled in my veins with his sarcasm.

“I’m here, Blane,” Therese said. “I’m sorry, but I needed to find out what Jurg wanted with me.”

“Have you?”

“Yes, I’m aware of the stakes.” She sounded in control.

“Where is he holding you?”

“I’m fine. It’s better this way. No one else will be hurt.”

Why hadn’t I notified Sergio so he’d trace the call? “What will staying accomplish?”

“An end to the crimes. I’m not in immediate danger.”

“You trust him?” While I kept my negotiator tone calm, my anger meter rose. No doubt Falin listened in.

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll see you on Monday evening.”

“How is Alina?”

“I’m told she’s fine.”

The connection went dead, and my insides twisted like I’d inhaled poisonous gas. I’d see if Sergio could trace the call, but Falin seldom made a mistake.

I deliberated Rurik Ivanov and Jurg Falin, two men who valued power and control.

Rurik’s love for Alina overruled his emotions and resulting actions.

He’d made repulsive illegal decisions, and I had no doubt he’d continue until his daughter was safe or he breathed his last. Neither did he care what happened to Therese.

While the realizations made sense, Rurik’s potential outcome laid out like a cemetery plot.

Falin, who had no regard for human life, viewed his enterprise worth murder and kidnapping.

He applied psychological pressure on Rurik to comply to his demands, whatever they were.

The Feds might hold back in rescuing a child caught in an international political feud, but an American woman increased the stakes.

US policy traditionally stated we didn’t negotiate with terrorists, but sometimes a crisis and public opinion influenced government action.