Page 8 of Canyon of Deceit

SEVEN

Major Sergio Montoya and I had dodged trouble, partied more times than we remembered, and became Texas Rangers together, resulting in a solid friendship. But that didn’t mean he approved of everything I attempted to do. Sitting across from his desk, I stared into his earth-colored eyes.

“Rusty, this undertaking could get you killed. Two years ago, you were assigned to a protection detail involving a former cartel member who’d given state evidence.”

My risk-taking personality had opened dangerous doors in the past. I bit back a smirk and listened to make sure he didn’t leave anything out.

“We needed more direction to stop a rumored plan to assassinate the governor, and the informant feared for himself and his family.” Sergio squinted. “You chose to dress in the man’s clothes during the drive to Austin and took two bullets.”

I grinned to talk him down from a refusal. “I’ve been in hostile situations plenty of times. I enjoy those broncs.”

“Some, like what I just mentioned, showed idiocy. This time you’re asking permission for a solo mission—to leave a team of trained Rangers behind.” He jutted his chin, and a stare down ensued between two stubborn men.

“I’d like the opportunity to investigate what Ivanov claims.”

“I have no doubts... I will say you’ve always managed to accomplish where others failed. That said, I trust your ability to negotiate the impossible.”

“Thanks—”

“I’m not finished. You and I agree the crimes against Rurik Ivanov’s family are related to what he overheard regarding Edik Baranov.”

“Are he and his family in the US?”

“Not to my knowledge. Baranov has a pack of blood-hungry wolves after him. His uncle is Russia’s prime minister, so that’s another reason why the Russians want him dead.

His uncle went public condemning his nephew’s traitorous actions.

That doesn’t mean the Baranovs aren’t here.

” He peered at the wall behind me, not looking but processing information.

“Let’s find out everything we can about Ivanov, Baranov, and Falin.

” He typed into his laptop. “I’ll let you know what I find if possible. Depends on the security level.”

“Thanks, Sergio.”

“Not so fast. I have questions. What have you researched?”

I shared Therese’s and my conversation after Rurik left the restaurant. I concluded with the slashed tires. Once ended, I air-dropped him a photo of Alina Ivanov with the description of what she had worn to school. I’d never held anything back from Sergio and had no intentions of starting now.

I let the info sink in and moved ahead. “Sending a drone won’t work with its limited charge, mountain ranges, and seven-mile span of control.

I’m assuming the pilot who flew out of the Houston area and landed near Hobbs turned the transponder off.

I’d appreciate it if you’d confirm any tracking of an aircraft, although with the transponder disabled, I doubt it can be identified.

I ran a background on Alina’s babysitter, and her dad’s the university’s president.

Crossing her off my list. I researched Rurik Ivanov and Jurg Falin, but nothing surfaced that triggered any alarms. Except—”

“Except what?” Sergio said.

“I found nothing about how his wife died, but it’s not lining up. His family life is off, and he’s married to a possibly dysfunctional woman.”

“The trackers on his daughter are a bit over the top.” Sergio took notes.

“He claims to have the ransom. Since when do college professors rake in that kind of money?”

“They don’t—normally.”

“Is there a link between Ivanov and Baranov other than what we know?”

Sergio huffed. “I’ll do what I can to find answers. Ivanov failed to keep his daughter safe. Our job is to find out who, what, and why. Ever hear what you fear most will happen?”

“Comes back to bite you hard in the rear.”

Sergio typed into his laptop and made the request to obtain the security-cam footage at Alina’s school.

He added the video footage to all the entrances into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park with an emphasis on the visitor’s center at Pine Springs and Dog Canyon from yesterday late afternoon to today.

I stared out the window of Sergio’s office, my past conversation with Rurik repeating his claims and pleas.

“We have an ID on the man who delivered the envelope this morning,” Sergio said. “Nick Peterson. No record. Physical therapist at a private hospital in The Woodlands. I’ll have him picked up for questioning.”

“I’d like to talk to him.”

“Sure. I’ll post Alina’s photo on the worldwide missing child database. The father won’t approve, and the Russian embassy might not appreciate it either. But it’s our job to report missing kids.”

“Rurik will view that as a betrayal of confidence. Can you hold off for forty-eight hours?”

Sergio squinted. “Why is this so important to you?”

Greedy men victimizing innocents always spiked my anger.

“Goes back to what you and I already discussed. Where is Daria’s body?

Why take the little girl to such a remote area?

Why not lock Alina in a closet or bind and gag her somewhere?

And how does Baranov’s escape fit into this?

” Working alongside Therese pulled me in but not like the unanswered questions.

“The who holds the key to the why. The worst-case scenario of discovering a murdered little girl is a real possibility. Be prepared.”

I thanked him. “Finding an adult’s body is difficult enough.”

“Right. Rusty, if I had more answers, I’d feel more confident about your heading into the Guadalupe Mountains. Once I receive security-cam confirmation and we talk to Nick Peterson, I’ll decide if your requests are valid.”

“Finding the wife’s body would provide some validation to Rurik’s story.

Nothing’s hit the radar about Russian activities other than the search for Baranov.

I checked IAH and Hobby Airports, and no one under the name of Alina Ivanov has left the area.

But her kidnappers wouldn’t use her name anyway, and they’d disguise her looks.

The possibilities keep me rethinking facts and making suppositions on what could be happening. ”

Sergio again typed into his laptop. “I’m checking security cameras at both airports for Alina and Jurg Falin.

If he’s behind the crimes, he’s not sticking around.

” He finished and studied me. “Do you think Ivanov contrived a story about a murdered wife, a kidnapped child, and refused to contact authorities or the Russian embassy due to a motive linked to Baranov?”

“It’s entered my headspace. I viewed the video with his little girl.

Wouldn’t surprise me if someone used AI to frighten Rurik or to convince us of its validity for either abduction.

” I drew in a breath. “Unless Rurik’s been trained, his emotional tells convinced me of his grief.

I’ve been reading people a long time, and dread washed all over him.

His wife was killed, and his daughter’s life is in danger because of what? ”

Sergio tapped his fingers on the desk. “You suspect a bigger scheme than what you’ve been told?”

“I’m not checking it off my list. Rurik can shove reasons about being the loving parent all day long, but something’s missing. Makes me suspect he killed his wife and daughter, and this is his way of burying his own mess. And he could be grieving his actions.” I shook my head.

Sergio leaned back in his chair. “If that’s the case, why not fly home to Mother Russia and avoid arrest here? The holes don’t line up with the pegs.”

“I’m right there with you, and it won’t leave me alone.”

“And you want to head out to the most treacherous mountain range in Texas?”

“Yes.”

“One positive is Palmer is the best survival expert out there. If anyone can track down the child, it’s her. She’s demonstrated a wild streak of her own.” He stared at me. “You have the skills to make this another positive. But it’s a huge risk.”

“Trouble can happen anywhere. We’re talking about an innocent child caught up in a situation out of her control. Are you giving me permission to trek out to secure the little girl’s release?”

Sergio exhaled his frustration either with me or with the status of the crimes.

“I have a feeling this will come back to haunt me. I’ll arrange a flight for both of you tonight to Hobbs.

You can stay at a hotel in New Mexico and start fresh in the morning.

I’ll have a vehicle for you at the airport.

In the meantime, I’ll do a little digging. ”

“A four-wheel drive sounds good.”

He raised a brow. “No promises.” He glared at me. “If anything happens to you, my mother will disown me. She’d trade me for you any day.”

We laughed, and the tension between us disappeared. “And she’d feed me well.” I stared into his face. “Odd, but I believe I’m supposed to do this. Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me too soon. I’m heading to the FBI with Ivanov’s story.

A crime’s been committed, and how it’s handled might have a negative impact on our relations with Russia.

We’ll question Jurg Falin, see where he fits with this.

If the FBI has intel that pulls you out of this mission, or they send their agents with you and Therese Palmer, trust me I’m behind them.

In the meantime, I want around-the-clock updates.

” He lifted his chin. “Don’t make me contact my mother’s priest for a wake. ”

Sergio’s favorite line when he suspected where my maverick streak might lead me. My biggest concern rested with what we might find. A child had been caught up in the ploy of ruthless men, and if anyone got out of the Guadalupe Mountains alive, that person must be Alina Ivanov.