Page 9 of Canyon of Deceit

EIGHT

THERESE

Rurik called me twice before I had the go-ahead from Blane that we’d leave tonight for the Guadalupe Mountains.

Shortly after lunch, I met Blane at the Texas Ranger office on West Road in Houston.

He introduced me to Major Sergio Montoya who shared his reservations about our mission.

He cut our conversation short due to a meeting at the FBI field office about the case.

“Who else are you telling?” I said to Major Montoya. “Rurik expressed his desire for this to be kept confidential.”

“The FBI is fully equipped to keep the matter secret. They understand the life of a child is in jeopardy.”

“He specifically asked not to contact the FBI.” I hesitated. “But I trust your judgment. Do I need to alert Rurik?”

“What if he’s behind the crimes? Ms. Palmer, you and Blane map out all your plans, but don’t be surprised if the FBI insists on joining you or shuts this down.

We might have jurisdiction in Texas, but international jurisdiction is another ball game.

Oh, and don’t forget to stop in at the Pine Springs Visitor Center so they’re aware of your plans to enter Dog Canyon.

I’ll alert them to your approximate arrival. They will verify your IDs.”

I shut down my thoughts to keep from telling him that once I was determined to do something, it took God to change it—not the Texas Rangers, FBI, or ROC.

“Another thing,” Major Montoya said. “Jurg Falin hasn’t shown up at the accounting office where he works for two days. Neither has he reported in. He has a condo, but the security cams indicate he hasn’t been there since the night Rurik Ivanov overheard the phone conversation. I’ve issued a BOLO.”

“Do you have a photo of him?” I said.

Blane shared his phone screen with me—bald, dark-blue eyes, thin lips, rectangular face.

“What about Nick Peterson?”

“He’ll be here around three thirty today.” Major Montoya nodded at Blane. “I’ll be back to listen in on the Peterson interview. Rusty, text me if anything comes up.”

The nickname fit Blane’s hair color. The two men must go back a long way.

Major Montoya’s phone rang. He frowned and held up his palm.

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate the call.” He pocketed his phone and peered at Blane, then me.

“That was Houston’s FBI special agent in charge.

I have confidential info about Edik Baranov.

What I’m about to say stays right here. Baranov not only stole military secrets, but he also hacked into the Russians’ security system and stole intel regarding a critical strategic move by their military.

He’s made a deal for US asylum for him and his family.

The Baranovs are making their way to safety.

The date or the means is classified. Just keep your eyes and ears open. ”

—

Blane and I talked behind his closed office door. Adrenaline flowed between us like a high school football team an hour before the big game. We both gulped strong, black coffee like our bodies needed to keep up with the task before us.

“How long have you known Major Montoya?” I said.

Blane grinned. “Since college days. His mother calls me mi hijo . Great family.”

My son. Now I understood why Blane insisted on seeking permission from Major Montoya—personal and professional reasons. “Did he give you the nickname Rusty?”

“That came from his dad who called me the Spanish version— Oxidado . Believe me, I’m not sure how this gringo snuck his way into a close-knit Mexican family.

I think they pitied the kid who struggled to stay out of trouble and academically stay in college.

Sergio and his dad tutored me in math all four years. ”

“I love math,” I said. “It’s the only discipline that shows order in the world.”

“My go-to is anything related to human behavior... and guns.”

I laughed. “And you have the credentials for both.”

His gaze swept around his office. “What should we get settled to leave tonight?”

“I’ll meet you at the airport. I need to pack and tie up a few projects.”

“Me too. One call is to make arrangements at the kennel.”

My longing to own a dog nibbled at my curiosity. “What kind?”

“A bit of shepherd, collie, and rottweiler.”

“Name?”

He laughed. “You’ve shown more interest in me in the last sixty seconds than during our three dates.

” He grinned. “Don’t worry. Not going there.

In answer to your question, his name is Scully.

If you’re nice to me, I’ll let you meet him one day.

” Blane yanked his phone from his pocket and showed me Scully’s pic.

“He’s beautiful. Look at those huge brown eyes. In the future, I plan to have a dog or two.” The seriousness of what lay ahead blinded me with resolve, and I shook off the daydreaming. “Will Major Montoya keep you informed about his conversation with the FBI?”

“I made the request, and I’m sure he’ll honor it unless the FBI puts a lid on it. The complications bother me more than the remote location.”

“Don’t underestimate the location, Blane. It’s off-grid and hard to get to.”

I scrolled through my phone for a map of Dog Canyon with its trails and landmarks. “Here’s a glimpse of the area where we’re going. It’s in the northern part of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The contour lines indicate the elevation.”

“Would you send me the link?”

I agreed and met his thanks. “Google Earth will give you the topography. I’ll give you a hard copy tonight.

The terrain, according to the elevation, is a mix of forests, some grassland, and the cactus-type vegetation of the high desert.

The area we’re heading to will be a strenuous hike and rugged.

” I pointed to the map on my phone. “Initially, I have off-trail places to check. If we’re lucky, we’ll find the kidnappers or evidence of where they’re camped. ”

“And you have no doubts about what’s ahead?” Blane said. “The more we learn, the more dangerous this looks.”

“Are you thinking Alina is dead?”

“I’m concerned about what we might find.”

“I’ve experienced tragedies.” If I refused an attempt to rescue Alina, I’d lose a piece of myself. I needed to save her when I failed with Kate. And if I backed out, an old wound would open its mouth and devour me. “I gave my word, and I will not let Rurik down.”

“I had to make sure. These guys play Russian roulette for kicks.”

“I have five hundred thousand dollars cash from Rurik to barter with while he’s putting together the rest of the ransom.

The money’s in my backpack, a little extra weight.

” I breathed in and out to clear my head.

“Although the caller told Rurik he’d contact him with instructions where to direct deposit all the money, Rurik insisted I take it. ”

“And what if they demand more than the original amount?”

“What choice do I have? He said the cash would show his sincerity.”

“Hear me out,” Blane said. “We bring part of the ransom and ID whoever is behind this, what’s to stop them from putting bullets in our heads?” His tone lowered. “You and I will do whatever it takes to bring the little girl home. I hope your loaded backpack doesn’t backfire on us.”

I blinked. “I—”

“You can’t control their trigger fingers.”

Those words of wisdom popped up in some form whenever I faced a dangerous mission, but they’d never stopped me from battling nature, and they wouldn’t stop me from kidnappers. “I can try.”

Blane gave me a tight-lipped smile, my guess to reassure me. I wanted to burst with the rage inside me for Alina, but anger solved nothing, and unfairness had existed since the beginning of time.

“Do you have a few minutes to give me an idea of what else to expect on the trail?” he said.

“Sure, and I’ll fill you in more on the flight to Hobbs.

I’ve hiked the Guadalupe Mountains many times, and I can assure you the kidnappers aren’t camped on the trail.

They’ve diverted to where they believe no one can find them.

I have a few ideas where those spots might be, but searching without being spotted will be a challenge.

No doubt they have someone glued to binoculars. ”

“I expect them to be packing high-powered firearms right along with those binoculars,” he said.

“Desperate people take desperate measures. I’m thinking at least two men, possibly three, and I’m trying to be positive, Therese.

We must be prepared for anything to go wrong.

You and I have walked into snake pits of trouble before.

We can pack and plan, but two things we can’t take lightly—one is greedy men who believe money trumps everything.

I’ve seen enough of those types to understand their depravity.

Alina’s life is nothing more than collateral damage to them.

The second is in your department—the vagaries of nature. ”

“Nature can be a predator too. Loose rock, a gust of wind, mountain lion, black bear, or an unsuspecting snake can be deadly.” Blane had a lean and muscular body for his average height, which would be to his advantage. “Do you have experience hiking in the high desert?”

“Hiking, yes. But not high desert. I’m not a pro, so hiker terms are foreign to me. Just an FYI, I aced a wilderness-survival course taught by a seasoned professional.”

I bit back a laugh. “Your lighthearted attitude will help over the next few days.”

“I’ll try to hold in the reins and keep it under control during our hike.”

I needed survival tools to keep my attraction to Blane at arm’s length. His calm, brown eyes reminded me of a walk through the woods. Oh, and his thick red hair and scruffy beard added to his rugged appeal. Back to business, Therese.

“Do you have medical issues like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a condition requiring medication?”

“Nope. I’m healthy. What about Alina?”

“Rurik says she’s in excellent health. He’s given me a change of clothes for her, a jacket, and gloves.

” I pointed to the phone map. “Our flight takes us to Hobbs, New Mexico. Can’t get to Dog Canyon from the Texas side.

It’s about a four-hour-total drive time north to Carlsbad, then on to the Pine Springs Visitor Center, and Dog Canyon Campground.

The temperatures will be chilly at night and windier the higher we climb. ”

“Are you saying, we’ll share a sleeping bag to stay warm?”

I lifted my shoulders and narrowed my gaze. “Not on your life.”

Blane grinned. “Prepare yourself, we’ll need to sleep in shifts. I don’t want a two-legged killer creeping into our campsite.”