Page 42 of Silent Target

Somewhere between the parking garage, the exploding safehouse, and Frank’s terrible coffee, she decided I would keep her alive.

The weight of that trust settles across my shoulders.

I won’t fail her.

As we return to the SUV, my phone vibrates again.

This time, it’s Rook.

WE’VE BEEN BETRAYED. AGAIN.

I stare at the screen.

Evie sees the change in my face. “What happened?”

“Someone gave Graves one of our emergency communication codes.”

“Who had access?”

“Mac.”

Her expression tightens. “Then maybe he really is the traitor.”

“Maybe.”

“You don’t believe it.”

“I believe Graves wants us to.”

I look toward the mountains.

If Rook is right, the enemy already knows exactly where we’re going.

Somewhere inside those hills, a trap is waiting.

And Graves has used a man we once trusted as bait.

8

EVIE

The mountains grow steeper as we cross into West Virginia.

Towering pines cover the ridges, and mist clings to the valleys. It’s beautiful country.

It’s also isolated enough for dozens of people to die without anyone hearing the gunfire.

Caleb slows the SUV.

His gaze moves between the road and the trees.

“Problem?”

“Maybe.”

“You keep saying that.”

“There usually is a problem when I say maybe.”