Page 228 of Silent Target

Falcon becomes fascinated with the floor.

Cobra steps away from him.

“Coward.”

Fathom clears his throat.

“I have something.”

Everyone gathers around the isolated terminal.

The evidence is enough to prove the West Virginia facility existed.

Enough to show that Walter Graves, Alan Miller, Jerry Rhodes, and Rear Admiral Thomas Grayson manipulated classified operations.

Enough to reveal the plan against Senator Vance.

But proof and public truth aren’t the same thing.

“How long before the federal teams stop hunting us?” Shark asks.

Fathom shakes his head. “That depends on who sees this first.”

“We can’t give it to the CIA,” Evie says.

“Or Defense,” Rook adds. “Not until we know which officials are compromised.”

Sarah studies the membership files.

“What about Senator Vance?”

“He was marked for removal because he requested archive access,” Evie says. “That gives us reason to believe he isn’t part of the First Circle.”

“Belief isn’t proof,” Mac says.

“No,” Evie agrees. “But the journal includes surveillance reports and an assassination directive. Graves wouldn’t manufacture those for a man already under his control.”

Rook looks toward her.

“Can you reach Vance without Langley knowing?”

“Yes.”

The answer is immediate.

“I handled one of his intelligence briefings two years ago. He gave me an emergency contact protocol after I warned his staff about a compromised report.”

“Will he remember you?”

“He’ll remember the warning.”

Rook nods. “Contact him from an isolated line. No evidence leaves this building until he proves he’s clean.”

Evie moves toward the communications room.

I follow.

She looks over her shoulder.