Page 84 of Canyon of Deceit

Blane finished and I jumped in with my opinion. “I don’t trust him. Neither do you.”

“Good call. Sergio said Rurik’s key words were ‘I don’t regret anything I’ve done to keep her alive.’ Rurik has either done or plans tofollow through on more of Falin’s demands. We need to be one step ahead of both men.” Blane held up a finger. “I’m asking Sergio for confirmation of the things Rurik claims he’s done.”

A suspicion climbed into my brain and perched itself front and center. I drove while my reasoning spun like the ballerina on Alina’s necklace. Blane texted Major Montoya, and I braved forward. “What if Rurik has more burner phones? What if he and Falin made provision if this very thing happened?”

Blane lifted his chin. “One of the agents assigned to Rurik’s protective detail raised the same question. He went a step further and questioned if the one burner we found was a setup.”

“Ouch. I assume the FBI plans to sweep the house?”

“They already have and found no other phones or anything incriminating. I trust Rurik about as far as I can throw him with my broken arm. If he has burner phones stashed away, he’s stored them where they can’t be found, as though we’ve wasted our time since we agreed to help find Alina.”

I allowed the possibility to settle a little more. “Just like we left the safe house, can Rurik do the same?”

“As long as he’s not under arrest, he’s free to go anywhere. His refusing protection doesn’t stop anyone from tailing him, no matter who they are.”

I shivered. “All those concerned seem to operate much the same way.” Reality jumped onto my mental perch. “The game goes on until Alina is found, and Edik Baranov and his family are safe.”

“Or they are all dead.”

I grimaced, but he spoke the truth. How did I get in the middle of a kidnapping and murder case? I taught others how to survive in the wilderness and lead others to rescue those who’d met an adversary in the wilderness. My wheelhouse didn’t include killers and terrorists. Although Rurik had lied from the beginning, I’d given my word to find an innocent child. Alina’s sweet face refused to leave me. None of this was her fault. Like Kate’s struggle with leukemia.

“Do you get the impression Rurik has an answer prepared for every question?” I said.

“Many times. He’s a highly intelligent man with the perfect answers to every question. He reads us like I read him, which tells me he’s been trained in every area of espionage.”

“The question is, whose side claims his loyalty?”

Blane studied the passenger-side rear mirror. “We’re being followed. I suspected it at Starbucks. A dark-green Toyota pickup. Driver and one passenger.”

“The roads are flooding in this rain, and we’re being shadowed. What’s next?”

“I texted Sergio. In the meantime, increase your speed.”

I glanced in the rearview mirror and held my breath. The truck raced toward us. I pressed my foot on the gas. Wove in and out of a line of traffic, then glanced again in the mirror. The truck stayed on us. “Plan B?” I attempted to stay calm, but my fingers gripped the steering wheel. “Race car driving isn’t in my blood.”

“You’re doing fine, Therese. A prayer sounds good right about now.”

“You stole my line.”God, we need help.

“Someone was either watching the safe house or one of us has a tracking device.”

“On a rental car?” I said. “Impossible.”

Blane tapped his finger on his jean-clad thigh. “Think back to the cave. Do you recall a pinch or a sting?”

What was he talking about? His question irritated me. “I’m trying to stay ahead of a truck that might have armed shooters in it. Concentrating on what Falin might have done in the cave will need to come later.”

“Thanks for putting me in my place. I’d like nothing better than to be driving, but I do have a good shooting arm.”

Despite the circumstances, I grinned. “And that shooting arm saved my life.”

The truck rode my bumper.

Panic seared through my veins. As often as I told God I was ready to die and be with Him... facing the unknown path frightened me.

The road cleared, giving me room to accelerate. The truck didthe same behind me in obvious pursuit. I focused on the road.God has this. God has this.

Blane pressed the auto-window button on his side and raised his SIG. “The guy on the passenger side has a handgun.”