Page 154 of Silent Target

Caleb moves in front of me.

Walter’s smile widens.

“I believe we have unfinished business.”

33

CALEB

Walter wants us inside the vault.

That’s reason enough to stay out.

The twelve guards stand motionless around him. Their weapons are lowered, but their fingers rest beside the triggers.

Every man wears the same armor.

Carries the same equipment.

Holds himself with the same unnatural stillness.

No names.

No ranks.

No individuality.

The First Circle doesn’t want soldiers.

It wants believers.

Rook remains outside the threshold. “You’re out of exits, Graves.”

Walter glances toward the timer on the wall.

“So are you.”

Twenty-seven minutes.

The bunker is preparing to bury everyone inside it.

Including Walter.

He doesn’t look concerned.

Which means he has another way out.

“Where’s the Chairman?” I ask.

Walter’s expression changes.

Only slightly.

“You still assume the Chairman is a man.”

“Isn’t he?”

“The Chairman is continuity. The person is irrelevant.”