Page 76 of Silent Target

Then the mountain moves.

A shelf of rock breaks away from the cliff. Boulders crash into the lower ravine, snapping trees and throwing dust into the air.

The pilot jerks upward.

The helicopter barely clears the falling rock.

Caleb’s radio crackles.

Rook’s voice comes through. “The west route is blocked.”

“It is now.”

“We’re changing direction.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“It’s what I would do.”

Cobra’s voice cuts in. “Did our sniper just trap us on purpose?”

“He closed the lower ravine,” Rook answers. “Not the upper trail.”

Caleb points toward a narrow ledge above the falling debris.

The rockslide has concealed it from the compound.

“You didn’t block their escape.”

“No.”

“You hid it.”

“Yes.”

I laugh softly. “You weaponized the mountain.”

“It was already a weapon. I introduced it to them.”

The helicopters pull away from the wall of dust.

Rook’s team disappears into it.

Walter’s men lose sight of them.

For forty-five precious seconds, Shadow Division vanishes.

Caleb stands and reaches for my hand.

“We move.”

We descend toward the upper trail.

The slope is so steep I have to grab branches to keep from sliding. Caleb stays close enough to catch me, even though blood has soaked through the bandage beneath his jacket.

“You’re hurt worse than you said.”