Page 97 of Canyon of Deceit

“Maybe later.”

“I get off at 2:00 a.m.” She lifted a shoulder with a seductive smile and made her way to another table.

“Check her out,” Falin said to one of the men behind him.

I studied Jurg Falin seated across from me, a man who had theability to get things done and put on a show. “Are you ready to seal this?”

He sipped on his vodka. “I name the day and time.”

“Figured as much.”

“I’ll contact Rurik with the wire info and where I’ll board the plane. Only he and the pilot at the site. At takeoff, I’ll give him Alina’s location.”

“Doesn’t cut it. He wants Alinabeforetakeoff.”

“I call the shots. His demands are meaningless.”

“Timing is important. If Alina isn’t at the meetup point, then no deal.”

“And if he’s been arrested?”

“I’ll take Alina off your hands.”

His eyes narrowed. “Monday, 6:00 p.m.” He stood without finishing his drink. “Tell Rurik to expect my call with more details.” He dipped his chin. “You can keep your SIG in the truck to show my generosity.”

FIFTY-SIX

THERESE

I dozed on the hard hotel sofa until Blane returned from his meeting with Jurg Falin. If I went to bed, he wouldn’t wake me with what happened tonight. At times my kidney made me nauseous or gave me muscle spasms. Nothing I needed right now.

The two agents watched a cop show, remarking how Hollywood never got it right. At least in movies, the good guys always won. I needed to shove aside the cynicism and remember God had this. Lately my display of faith needed reinforcement... I sounded like Blane.

A Ranger dropped Blane off after midnight. He’d left his truck in another part of town, not a secret to Falin since he had the license plate number. Blane asked to talk in my temporary bedroom, where he explained the negotiations with Falin and how the wired waitress had recorded the conversation.

“I phoned Sergio en route to meeting the FBI agent. I learned the DimLight has been under FBI surveillance for the past several months.”

“Did they already have someone inside?”

“Yes, and Falin had talked to her in the past. FBI also confirmed listening devices as part of their surveillance.”

“Why does Falin want the exchange on Monday?” I said. “He’s a part of the Baranov assassination on Wednesday. Doesn’t he want credit from Mother Russia? What am I missing?”

“His innocence in the event Rurik spills the truth. The second thing is the ROC is well informed about who put the plot together.”

“And he gets the credit if they are successful.” I pondered what I’d said. “But he’d also get the blame if his plans are foiled.”

“True, but my guess is he has someone lined up to take the fall. I’d say Rurik or one of his henchmen.”

“Poor Alina. Rurik’s request to adopt her makes sense.”

Blane hesitated, as though choosing his words with care. “Rurik’s life is on the wrong end of a death sentence, and he knows it. He refused to cooperate with the ROC and has been blackmailed, and if the courts find him guilty, he’ll pay the highest price.”

“Makes me wish Texas permitted a polygraph test as valid evidence. Then I’d feel better about my allegiance. Or lack of.”

“I trust Rurik’s allegiance about as far as I can spit. But we’ll find out. I received an update on the way here. Rurik’s been in contact with someone associated with the Russian government long before Alina’s abduction. Looks like constant communication until a month ago. How many burners has he stashed away, and why haven’t they been located?”

“In the beginning I wanted the US to offer Alina and him a new beginning, but my only concern now is Alina.”