Page 172 of Broken Oath

Sarah’s face hardened.

“What else?” Rook asked.

“Lane participated in the preliminary review of our mountain operation.”

Rook’s blood chilled.

“Before or after?”

“Both.”

That made no sense unless Marcus already knew the mission was compromised.

“What was his role?”

“Threat assessment and operational security.”

Sarah looked toward Rook.

Marcus had been responsible for determining whether Rook’s mission was secure.

Then Rook’s team walked into an ambush.

“That doesn’t prove he ordered it,” Rook said.

“No,” Fathom agreed. “But it gives him access.”

“Any connection to Thornton?”

“Lane served under Thornton for four years.”

Another line joined the conspiracy.

Thornton controlled the investigation.

Marcus controlled mission security.

Both had connections to teams destroyed during classified operations.

“Rook,” Sniper said. “Lane’s running.”

Rook looked toward the ridge.

Marcus and his guards descended toward the western access road.

A black SUV waited near the bottom.

One of the few vehicles Cobra hadn’t disabled.

“Cobra, stop that SUV.”

“I can’t.”

Rook didn’t like the answer.

“Why not?”

“It’s outside the charge line.”