Page 72 of Canyon of Deceit

SEVENTY-ONE

The horror unfolded through my binoculars. Bullets spit at the water surrounding the Baranovs’ swim to safety. One of the tugboats pressed in between the swimmers and the shooters while the second tugboat jumped the waves to retrieve them. The cargo ship slowly moved away from the firefight.

A federal agent defending the territory fell overboard from a rifle blast to his shoulder.

A shooter dropped to the deck of his boat.

A fourth boat skipped over water to the scene. US or ROC?

Hell had broken loose in front of me, and regret filled me for not being there. I’d been reduced to a storm chaser. I sucked in a breath and prayed for every man and woman risking their lives.

The fourth boat, filled with US Federal Law Enforcement, opened fire on the shooters, dropping two into the waves.

Feds pulled Edik Baranov and his family into a tugboat as an Airbus helicopter flew over the hotel and straight toward the firestorm. Bitterness rose up my throat at the memory of what had happened in Dog Canyon. I stared up at the attack helo, more like a flying tank with killer capacity.

The tugboat with the Baranovs sped toward the hotel’s marina while the second tugboat and the shooters barraged the air with bullets.

The Airbus moved over the tugboat containing the Baranovs. US enforcers opened fire with AR-15s and blasted the aircraft. Nothing was foolproof, and enough bullets penetrating the metal would bring it down.

The Airbus exploded into a fiery inferno, flinging fire and metal in all directions.

The aircraft whirled nose down toward the tugboat.

I held my breath. The flaming helo zoomed to destroy the boat.

Baranov and his family dived into the water.

US personnel followed. Two helped the wounded swim to safety.

The fighting team and the shooters exchanged fire.

Would this ever end?

The firefight played out like watching a brutal action movie. Seconds poured into minutes.

A shooter held up his hands. Then another.

I watched the US take control. Breathing relief came easy.

Breathing thanks to God followed. But the inability to assist slammed against my ego.

Shooters were cuffed, the wounded treated and loaded into ambulances, and Edik Baranov and his family were again retrieved from the water along with others.

In freeing Alina and with the Baranovs safe on US soil, the impossible had happened.

I pressed in Rurik’s number, silently urging him to pick up.

“Blane, I’m sorry. I refused to stand by and do nothing while Jurg controlled my daughter’s life. I’ve—”

“Rurik, Alina’s safe. So are the Baranovs. The ROC failed in their operation.”

He sobbed. “Thank you. Thank you for everything. Therese is unharmed?”

“Yes. Where are you?”

“Driving to talk to Jurg.”

“He’s been shot and is at a hospital. No idea who shot him or if he’ll live.”

“Where is Alina?”

“In the same building with me and Therese. I need your word that you’ll drive home and stay there. Providing the FBI gives me permission, I’ll bring Alina to you.”

“I can drive to the hospital.”

“Not a good idea with what’s happened.”

“All right. I’m driving home. Since this is over, the FBI will reveal more of what is going on with Edik and his family. You’ll get many answers to your questions. Tell Alina I love her and tell Therese thank you.”

“Sure. It’s over, Rurik.”

“I’ll believe it when Alina is in my arms.”

—

I hurried back to the kitchen to find Therese and alert her that the US had retrieved the Baranovs.

I’d let her tell Alina that her father lived, and he anxiously awaited his little girl.

The moment I opened the door, the attention of seven hotel employees flew my way—and not in a good way.

Three grabbed knives, and one picked up a skillet like a ball bat. All women.

A man shouted at one of the women, “He’s a good guy.”

“The situation is neutralized,” I said. “I’m sure the FBI will give you the all-clear soon.”

Gasps of relief swirled around the room along with questions of what had caused the problem. I assured them the FBI would provide an explanation.

Therese and Alina flanked me, and I grew seven feet tall. I whispered to Therese that I’d spoken with Rurik, and he assured me of heading home. She knelt and captured Alina’s attention at eye level.

“Brave girl, you are safe. No one is out to hurt you. Your uncle is at the hospital, and I have great news. Wonderful news.” She tilted her head with sweet curiosity, and Therese continued. “Mr. Blane just talked to your daddy. He’s fine. Not hurt at all.”

Alina wrapped her arms around Therese’s neck and cried. “Daddy is alive? No bad people hurt him?”

“Right,” Therese said. “And he’s excited to see you.”

Alina pulled back and frowned. “But Uncle Jurg said—”

Therese clasped Alina’s shoulders. “Your uncle made a mistake. He feared something bad might happen to you.”

“Alina, I told your dad I’d bring you home as soon as I learn we can leave here,” I said. “Is that okay?”

“Yes, but I don’t believe you. I have to see my daddy first. Is Daria there too?”

“No, just your dad.” This child had already seen too much of the world’s ugly reality to relay more. I’d brief Therese privately.

“Maybe she’ll be home later. Can we go now?” Alina’s tone lightened... Poor little girl, she’d been through one traumatic moment after another.

“Give me a moment to make a call.” I yanked my phone from my jeans pocket, but Therese stopped me.

“Blane, before you talk to Major Montoya or anyone else, I must tell you what Alina and I experienced. I know the source of the laser-activation chips. That’s a surprise, huh?”

I stared at Therese as though I’d discovered gold. “Incredible news.”

She nodded. “The company’s name is Hilltop Defense Distributors in Utah. The box Jurg took from the cave had the name stamped on the side.”

I kissed her. Nothing else mattered. I pressed in Sergio’s number. “Therese gave me a name for the source of the laser chips.”

“I’ll get men on it,” he said. “Tell her thanks. And I owe her big-time. Might make her an honorary Texas Ranger. Give me a few minutes to check with the FBI to make sure they agree in returning Alina.”

I explained the short delay to the girls, and with permission from Agent Blackburn, the room emptied into the dining area.

We slid into a booth, and Alina curled up next to Therese.

Wasn’t five minutes until the little girl’s eyes grew heavy and closed.

Therese stroked her cheek, no doubt forming the right words to explain her ordeal.

“I never had any illusions about Jurg’s plans for me, but he planned to take Alina to Russia.” She paused and made sure Alina slept. “Vengeance for his sister led his motives with the kidnapping. Jurg had two objectives—take Alina and ensure the ROC succeed in their mission.”

“Any mention about Daria?”

“No. Except he hated her.”

I shared in quiet tones that the body burned in Daria’s car was a woman from Dallas. “Did Jurg mention a boss, someone in control of the ROC?”

“I assumed he held that role. Then he was shot, but I have no idea who pulled the trigger.”

She filled me in about the doctor and cleanup crew.

“A spiderweb of connections,” I said. “To think, Houston is a large group, but it’s one of many all over the world.”

She stroked my hand. “Teaching wilderness-survival skills and tracking down those who are missing is a lot easier than what you and others do.”

“I’m sure you’ve wondered if my faith is real,” I whispered. “It is, and I will show you a changed man. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

A text flew into my phone from Sergio. You and Therese have permission to take Alina home.

FBI is good. Keep Rurik there. I’ll explain later.

Let Therese drive and you keep watch, just as a precaution.

I need to make a call, then I’ll bring Rangers by the house to talk to Rurik. FBI will be en route then too.

I replied, Is Rurik under arrest?

Not unless the FBI discovers crimes to charge him.