Page 278 of Silent Target

The attackers had controlled every choice from the moment Vale approached her.

Every choice except the one no rational person would make.

“Drive out.”

“My SUV exploded.”

“Take another vehicle.”

“The entrance is blocked.”

“Not the entrance.”

I enlarged the exterior wall separating the lower level from the alley. It was concrete, but the original plans showed a narrow section that had once been an access opening. During a renovation, contractors had filled it with cinder block and covered it with a thin concrete veneer.

It looked like the rest of the wall.

It wasn’t.

“South wall,” I said. “Twenty feet from the corner. Find the largest vehicle you can.”

“You want me to drive through the building?”

“Yes.”

“That’s your plan?”

“It’s the only exit they didn’t create for you.”

Gunfire erupted.

Kate fired back.

“I see a city maintenance truck.”

“That’ll work.”

“It has a snowplow attached.”

“Even better.”

Sniper leaned toward his screen. “Hostile moving in from the west.”

“Kate, you have fifteen seconds.”

“I need keys.”

“Check the visor.”

“This isn’t an action movie.”

“Humor me.”

I watched her reach the truck. She yanked open the driver’s door and climbed inside.

Five seconds passed.

Then the engine roared.