Page 241 of Silent Target

“What is it?” I ask.

“There’s another way to prove Vance is clean.”

Everyone turns toward him.

“The First Circle maintained observation files on every official it couldn’t recruit. If Vance resisted them, the archive will contain surveillance reports.”

Fathom searches the drives.

A folder opens.

VANCE, RICHARD.

Inside are photographs of the senator’s house.

His office.

His wife.

His grandchildren.

Beside the final image is an instruction.

APPLY FAMILY LEVERAGE IF SUBJECT REFUSES ACCESS DEMAND.

Cobra’s expression turns murderous.

“That’s proof,” Evie says.

“It’s also a warning,” Rook replies. “If Vance moves against Graves, his family becomes a target.”

“We protect them,” I say.

Rook looks at me.

“We can’t be in two places at once.”

“No. But we know people.”

I think of Blaze.

Wolf.

Trigger.

The people in Eagle River who mobilized before Graves’s team ever left Virginia.

Rook understands.

“I’ll make the call.”

Evie turns toward me.

“You trust them.”

“With my life.”

“And Vance’s family?”