Page 236 of Silent Target

I grip the back of his shirt.

“I miss him.”

“I know.”

“I want him to see that we found it.”

“He knew you would.”

“You can’t know that.”

“No.”

His hand moves slowly along my back.

“But he raised you to keep looking when everyone else looked away.”

I close my eyes.

My cheek rests against his chest.

His heartbeat is steady beneath my ear.

“He would have liked you.”

Caleb becomes still.

“You think so?”

“You came when I asked for help.”

The memory passes between us.

A dark parking garage.

A pistol in my hand.

A stranger stepping out of the shadows.

Because you asked for help.

I lean back enough to see his face.

“You saved my life.”

His gaze moves over me.

“You saved mine.”

“Then I suppose we’re even.”

“No.”

His thumb brushes away the moisture beneath my eye.

“We aren’t keeping score.”

The words bring a tired smile to my lips.