Page 85 of Silent Target

The federal commander calls again.

“Shadow Division, you are surrounded. Place your weapons on the ground.”

Caleb is watching the valley instead of the officers closing around us.

Something below has captured his attention.

“What is it?” I ask.

He hands me the binoculars.

A black SUV moves toward the disabled helicopter.

Walter Graves steps out.

He isn’t running anymore.

He calmly straightens his suit jacket and looks toward our ridge.

“He’s smiling.”

“He should be,” Caleb says.

Cobra turns toward him. “Why?”

“He has the government between us and him. If we fight our way out, we prove his story.”

Walter removes a satellite phone from his pocket.

He dials.

Waits.

Then says something too brief to be an order.

His posture changes as he listens.

“He’s reporting to someone,” I say.

Caleb’s gaze remains fixed on him. “Yes.”

“Then Graves has a boss.”

Mac looks toward the bunker.

“Of course he does.”

Everyone turns toward him.

“You knew?” I ask.

“I suspected. The First Circle doesn’t give anyone complete control.”

“What does that mean?”

Before Mac can answer, a stun grenade sails through the trees.

Caleb knocks it away with his boot.