Page 79 of Canyon of Deceit

“Rurik, I have no idea what you’re going through.” Blane’s tone resembled my dad’s when he wanted me to feel important. I treasured those memories in a special place in my heart.

“I’m grateful you and Therese risked your lives to find Alina.” Rurik scrubbed his hand over his face, as though he physically wiped away his emotions.

“We’ve all walked through danger in this search,” Blane said. “Unresolved issues and continuous threats have taken their toll on you since we last met. You asked us to meet you in person, and we left FBI protection to accomplish this.”

“The FBI agents here discovered a burner phone, not the one I used to call Therese.” Rurik avoided looking at me. “I’ve been in contact with Jurg since the first video showing Daria’s execution. He... he was the one who made all the calls. I’ve never doubted he killed her.”

I fought the urge to punch him, scream. But common sense told me to calm down, relax. But his unreliable character set my face aflame. Why hadn’t he shared about the phones from the start? The Rangers or FBI could have monitored and traced the calls. I bit my tongue and listened like Blane had instructed.

“Why did you keep this secret?” Blane said. “Help me understand why you put Alina’s life in jeopardy. Are you aware Therese and I were nearly killed?”

Rurik’s lips trembled. “Jurg told me if I relinquished the phone, he’d kill Alina.”

“Have you spoken to her?”

Rurik shook his head.

“What was his reason?”

“Jurg wanted me to keep him informed of what law enforcement were doing in connection to Alina’s disappearance and Daria’s death.”

“I assume you did as he asked?”

Rurik nodded. “I passed on everything.”

“Such as?”

“I overheard the agents talking late one night when they thought I was sleeping.” He stared at the ground. “I... I told Jurg about the helicopter bringing agents and Rangers into Dog Canyon.”

I gripped my fist. He’d initiated the death and wounding of good men!Lord, help me not to strangle him.“Do you want pics of what those good men looked like after Falin’s men sprayed them with bullets? Your eight-year-old daughter saw the blood, the wounded. One man died. They were trying to rescue Alina. Is that the behavior of a good father?”

Blane rested his hand on my arm, and I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” I said. “Your actions are difficult for me to understand.”

Rurik’s faced darkened. “It’s difficult for me too.”

“You begged Therese to find and return Alina, then you set her up to be killed with the rest of us.” Blane lowered his voice. “Murder in the name of love? How can we ever trust you?”

“I fail to trust myself,” he said through tear-filled eyes. “And Jurg still has Alina.”

“What was Jurg’s response to the info you gave him?” Blane said.

“The ROC needed a missing chip for their weapons, and they weren’t concerned about Alina.”

My anger rose again. “Who is the target for those weapons? It only takes three bullets to bring down a man, his wife, and child.”

Rurik glared at me. “Edik is an enemy of Russia. Once the Baranovs are eliminated, then he’ll return Alina.”

“So all the cost and planning to purchase the chips needed to ensure those weapons were operable involved one family?” Blane said. “What else does Falin want you to do?”

Rurik stared at Blane. “Do what you want. Nothing matters but her.”

“Rurik, I’d feel the same way,” Blane said. “What is your next assignment?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Therese and I have plenty of time. What’s going on?” Blane waited while silence exploded in the room.

“I’m sorry I withheld the truth.” He moistened his lips. “My excuse is I love my daughter. She’s all I have left.”