Page 280 of Silent Target

Then the truck rolled into view.

Its hood was crushed. Steam poured from the engine. Half the windshield was gone.

But it was moving.

“Maverick has visual,” Sniper said.

A dark SUV turned into the alley behind Kate.

The passenger door opened before it stopped.

Maverick jumped out with his rifle raised.

Two men emerged through the hole in the garage wall.

Maverick fired.

Reef’s vehicle arrived from the opposite direction, cutting off the attackers before they could retreat.

The remaining gunfire lasted less than ten seconds.

Then the alley went silent.

I pressed my hand against the console and lowered my head.

She was alive.

“Fantom?” Rook’s voice came over the radio. “East dock is secure. Four attackers down. Two escaped by boat.”

“Rogue was shot in the garage.”

A pause.

“How bad?”

“I don’t know. Reef is going in for him now.”

“And Agent Collins?”

“Maverick has her.”

On the screen, Maverick opened the truck’s damaged door.

Kate stepped out on unsteady legs, still holding the rifle. Blood ran down the side of her face. Her right arm hung close to her body.

But she was standing.

She spoke briefly to Maverick, then took a phone from him.

Mine rang.

I answered immediately. “Kate.”

“I’m going to assume driving through federal property was your idea.”

Her voice shook slightly.

It was the only sign she gave that the last few minutes had affected her.