Page 271 of Silent Target

I searched for anything I could use as a weapon, but my right arm refused to support my weight. Pain tore through my shoulder when I tried to rise.

He stopped on the other side of the flames.

Not close enough for me to fight.

Close enough that he couldn’t miss.

His gun came up.

Then his head snapped sideways.

A shot rang through the garage.

The man fell.

For one stunned second, I stared at his body.

Then I heard the voice coming from my fallen phone.

“Kate.”

Sarilla.

I crawled toward it and grabbed the phone.

“You said you were in Alaska.”

“I am.”

“Then who fired that shot?”

“That’s what you need to find out.”

Another figure appeared through the smoke.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Black tactical clothing. A rifle held ready against his chest.

He stepped over the dead man and moved toward me.

I tried to stand, but pain drove me back to one knee.

“Michael,” I whispered.

“I see him.”

“How?”

“I have access to the garage cameras now.”

The stranger stopped ten feet away.

His rifle lowered slightly.

“Special Agent Collins?”

I didn’t answer.

Sarilla’s voice sharpened. “Look at his left shoulder.”