Page 81 of Silent Target

Fathom.

The rest of Shadow Division.

The headline beneath our photographs reads:

ARMED PARAMILITARY GROUP ATTACKS CLASSIFIED FEDERAL FACILITY.

Evie moves closer to the screen.

“They already had this prepared.”

“Yes,” Fathom says. “This was released less than four minutes after the first federal response team was dispatched.”

Mac closes his eyes.

Rook looks at him. “What?”

“They were never going to kill you here.”

“Explain.”

“Graves needed survivors.”

Cobra’s expression hardens. “Why?”

“So the country could watch you run.”

The full shape of the trap becomes clear.

The helicopters.

The open eastern road.

The federal teams.

The cameras Graves allowed Fathom to access.

“They recorded the attack,” I say.

Mac nods. “Edited footage will make it appear Shadow Division breached a government station, freed a traitor, and stole classified material.”

“By tonight,” Evie says, “we’ll be the most wanted people in America.”

“No,” Mac tells her. “They already are.”

Her hand closes around mine.

I don’t think she realizes she did it.

I do.

I look down at our joined hands.

Then at her.

She doesn’t release me.

Neither do I.