Page 70 of Canyon of Deceit

SIXTY-NINE

THERESE

Alina and I quickly showered, dressed, and tossed out our clothes at Dr. Zhivago’s request, the name I’d given him for lack of another. I’d whispered to Alina if she recognized him, but she shook her head.

Male voices outside the bathroom door told me the cleanup crew had arrived. I didn’t understand their conversation, but when Alina squeezed my hand, I mouthed my concern about what they were saying.

“My uncle is not doing well,” she whispered. “The doctor can’t stabilize him.” She covered her mouth to avoid a gasp. “Running out of time.”

I hugged her at the thought of Jurg’s life draining from him. The child beside me was innocent of any crime, and I’d give my life for her... Just like my Kate. Memories of Kate’s final hours trickled through me. Would Alina’s fate be the same?

Your sister and parents’ deaths were not your fault.

I blinked. The voice hadn’t come from me.

Forgive yourself, Therese. I love you. The evil around you is not your fault.

A tear slipped down my cheek. God, I’m sorry. I needed someone to blame. Please take this burden from me. The weight is too heavy.

Alina studied me in childlike wonder. Should I tell her my spirit had been transformed?

“Our God has this,” I whispered. “He loves us, and we will face what happens with courage.”

She leaned into me and softly sobbed. “I’m afraid.”

“That’s fine. I am too.”

Within an hour, the Russian crew left, leaving me with a morbid vision of what they used to clean up blood. Seconds ticked by.

“You can unlock the bathroom door and come out,” the doctor said.

Alina and I left the bathroom. She gripped my hand harder, and her breathing came in short gasps. What should we expect now? Alina rushed to Jurg’s side. Not a trace of blood anywhere but his clothes and skin. Not even an antiseptic smell remained.

I captured the doctor’s gaze to discover our fate. Jurg was supposed to fly to Russia, but I doubted if he survived.

“I have a choice,” the doctor said. “The ones who cleaned didn’t mention you or Alina. How they avoided checking the bathroom is beyond me. No one gets in their way or they’re eliminated.”

Thank You, Lord.

“If you stay, you’re both dead. Someone will return to check the room.” He bent to Jurg and read his vitals. “He needs a hospital, but it’s not permitted.”

Silence dragged like a death sentence.

“I took an oath to save lives, not destroy them.” He sighed. “Aren’t you trained in martial arts?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Thinking through the best way to keep the four of us alive.”

I joined him at Jurg’s side. “What if I overpower you, and then Alina and I escape. Once we’re safe, I’ll call 911 for Jurg. That gives you time to get away.”

“I have a better idea. You punch me in the eye and break a lamp. You and Alina leave—take the stairs. Five minutes after you leave, I’ll call 911.

I’ll tell them Jurg phoned me and said he’d been shot and requested medical help.

I got here. The door was open, and he lay unconscious.

I treated him while they were en route. I’ll leave the room when I hear the sirens. ”

“Perfect.” I turned to my sweet Alina. “This is a lie, but it keeps all of us alive.”

“And we all can get away from the bad men,” she said.

“Right.” Loved this little girl.

“I’m ready,” the doctor said. “Be careful once you get outside. Something’s going down.”

I asked Alina to wait in the other room while I sent the desk lamp crashing to the floor and gave the doctor a black eye.

“You pack a powerful punch. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end if you were angry.” He offered a half smile.

“Thanks, I think. I pray this works.”

—

In the hallway, I placed Alina’s hand firmly in mine and inhaled freedom.

We rushed to the exit and down four flights of stairs.

We stopped at the registration desk. Two armed Customs and Border Patrol agents stood at the glass wall to my left.

What kind of crime had happened? But first things first.

“I have an emergency,” I said to the receptionist. “Please, can I use your phone?”

The young woman blanched. “We are locked down due to a dangerous situation.”

“Please.” Desperation laced my voice.

“I’ll get an outside line.” Her lips quivered. “The doors are all locked, and you can’t leave. Neither can anyone get inside without security approving them.”

I didn’t have Blane’s new number memorized, but I could call Major Montoya. I asked the receptionist to help me contact the Texas Rangers, and she agreed.

“Major Montoya, please,” I said.

“He’s out of the office. Can I help you?” a man said.

“Is Blane Gardner available, or can you give me his number? This is an emergency.”

“Hold on while I get Major Montoya on the line.”

“Tell him it’s Therese Palmer.”

Time moved slowly when lives were at stake.

“Therese?” His deep voice gave me a measure of comfort.

“Yes, I have Alina and we’re safe.”

“Where are you?”

“The Waterway Resort.”

“What? I’m here with Blane. Stay inside where it’s safe. Guards are posted at all exits. I’ll send Blane to explain. The property is surrounded by FBI, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard. That hotel is nothing but window walls. Keep away from them.” And he was gone.

I thanked the receptionist, but her attention veered to the vehicles surrounding the hotel.

I had questions, many of them. Major Montoya and Blane were here with the FBI, CBP, and Coast Guard?

This had to do with Edik Baranov, but I didn’t understand the day, location, and the confusion made me crazy.

How long would it take for Blane to give me answers?

This all had to be good news, right? Dare I believe the nightmare had ended?

I scanned the area. Earlier we had hidden in a bathroom, but now where?

I recognized one of the FBI agents at the front door.

He’d been helpful the night the ROC waited at my house to kill me, which had never made sense since they’d triggered bombs at my front and back doors.

I told him about Blane’s arrival and Major Montoya’s instructions.

He said hotel staff were in the kitchen, and we would be safe there.

The agent escorted us to the area and instructed the staff not to leave the room. He closed the door behind him.

“What’s going on?” Alina said. “Are bad people here?”

I drew her close to me. “No, honey. I think the cavalry has arrived.”