Page 114 of Silent Target

The first round strikes one man’s shoulder, spinning him away. The second hits the weapon carried by the guard behind him.

Shark stops the third.

The side corridor falls quiet.

I look at Evie.

She reloads.

“I told you I could handle myself.”

“I know.”

“You finally stopped arguing.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

Warmth flickers in her eyes.

Then a bullet strikes the column beside my neck.

Concrete cuts through my collar.

Evie grabs me.

“You’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine.”

“You always say that.”

“Because it’s usually true.”

She presses a piece of gauze against the cut.

“Now?”

“Hold still.”

Gunfire continues around us.

She ignores it.

I don’t know whether to be impressed or furious.

Probably both.

Fathom’s voice rises from the terminal.

“I’m inside.”

The countdown reads one minute, forty-four seconds.

“Can you stop it?” Rook asks.

“Trying.”

Lines of code race across the tablet.