Page 100 of Silent Target

“No, Caleb. It’s what you do. There’s a difference.”

I don’t know how to answer that.

She secures the bandage and rests her hand briefly against my chest.

“Next time, duck.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“That means no.”

“Yes.”

She looks up.

We’re standing close enough that I can see the flecks of gold in her eyes.

For a moment, the mountain disappears.

No Graves.

No First Circle.

No gunfire.

Only Evie’s hand over my heart.

Then an explosion rolls through the trees.

The bridge behind us erupts into flames.

Walter knows we’re coming.

And he has just closed the mountain around us.

20

EVIE

The explosion destroys the bridge fifty yards behind the last SUV.

Concrete and twisted metal tumble into the ravine.

Shark jerks the wheel, barely clearing the collapsing edge.

“Ambush!” Rook shouts over the radio.

Machine-gun fire erupts from both sides of the canyon.

Tracer rounds slice through the darkness.

The lead vehicle rocks as bullets strike its armor.

Caleb leans toward the open window with his rifle.

Blood is already seeping through the clean bandage I placed over his ribs.

“Caleb, don’t⁠—”