Page 177 of Silent Target

Mac stands motionless in the center aisle.

His face grows paler as he looks at the boxes.

“I signed the transfer orders.”

Rook turns toward him.

“For what?”

“I thought these were financial files. Personnel records. Old operations scheduled for destruction.”

“You didn’t know,” Evie says.

“I didn’t ask.”

The difference matters to him.

I see it in the way his shoulders fold inward.

He isn’t trying to escape guilt.

He’s finally allowing himself to feel it.

Rook puts one hand on his shoulder.

“You ran.”

“Too late.”

“You came back.”

Mac looks at him. “You believe me?”

“You’ve risked your life to get us here.”

Rook gives one firm nod.

“That’s enough.”

Mac lowers his face.

When he lifts it again, his eyes shine.

A violent strike hits the barricade.

Steel bends.

Victor is coming through.

Evie turns pages in the Chairman’s journal.

Her breathing changes.

“No.”

I’m beside her before she says it again.

“What?”