Page 90 of Canyon of Deceit

“He must be worth more alive than dead. Whatever happens surrounding Baranov and his family’s arrival next Wednesday, you can bet Rurik plays a critical role.”

“Like he might be the one in charge?”

“Nothing is out of the question at this point.”

I startled. “Are you saying Alina’s kidnapping might be a ruse?” I dragged my tongue over cracked lips. “Of course you are.”

“You need your rest.”

“Please wake me in two hours. I want to talk about what we’re doing next.” My thick tongue barely got the words out.

“Maybe.”

I hated that word. Falin used it with deadly implications. But I was too tired, hurting too much to protest.

FIFTY-TWO

BLANE

Back at my hotel room, I logged in to a computer and accessed secure updates. The unbearable waiting made me cranky, and my personality insisted on having answers or control of situations. Enter God, but eliminating old habits teetered on the impossible side. During a negotiation case, I viewed waiting on answers as a challenge, part of the process of my job, but this was different. Too many lives were at stake for me to do nothing.

Secure sites told me nothing new. Neither the Texas Rangers nor the FBI were talking about escorting Edik Baranov and his family off the cargo ship—and the US stayed mute about the defection. Hackers would have a field day going public with a covert operation.

I wanted in on it... like Therese had said yesterday in the ambulance.

Six days to stop an assassination.

Six days to trap Falin and the ROC.

Six days to draw the truth out of Rurik.

Six days to find Alina alive.

I phoned Sergio. “What are the next steps in recovering Alina?”

“Out of your hands, Rusty.”

“I’m in this with both hands and feet. My one-arm fighting abilityis limited, but my brain power works like the latest technology. Who’s checking security cams around the ship channel?”

“We’re on it. Don’t tell me how to do my job.”

Remorse hit me hard. “My apologies. I’m edgy and want this ended. I need something to do. I assume techs are checking credit cards and all the obvious. Any action with the tracker?”

He blew out his exasperation. “What do you think? Have you learned about any arrests?”

“I have an idea—”

“Forget it. You and Therese are finished with this case.”

I envisioned Sergio setting his jaw. Again, mule met mule. “Hear me out. Whoever is targeting Therese thinks she is recuperating at a hotel where you’ve enabled surveillance. Most likely that person will send some lowlife perps to take her out. They’ll either have no clue who paid them, or whoever is behind this will make sure they’re dead once they’ve completed the job. He won’t risk capture himself.”

“I’m listening, but that’s all.”

“I admit my track record stinks, and I don’t want to endanger Therese’s or Alina’s lives. Neither do I want anyone else killed. The FBI is pursuing the activation chip, so I can focus on finding Alina. What if I drove to see Rurik? Instructed him to contact Falin on the burner phone Falin provided. Tell Falin I’m willing to negotiate Alina’s release, and I can meet him at a private location of his choosing, just the two of us. No mention of Edik Baranov, only money and Alina.”

“Are you loco? Look where your attempts have gotten you? Why would he be interested?”

“Greed. He used Alina as a means of ensuring Rurik followed orders, especially after Daria’s death. A media leak that Rurik is under investigation for his missing wife and daughter would help convince him he’s not a suspect in Alina’s kidnapping. Falin isn’t about to cancel Baranov’s assassination. He has an opportunity to win big with the Russian government. More likely he agreed to the deal and planned to leave the country before the assassination, which would exonerate him from directing the plot.”