Page 198 of Silent Target

45

CALEB

Charles Whitmore’s face fills every monitor.

“Hello, Mac.”

His voice emerges from dozens of speakers, surrounding us.

“If you opened this door, you’ve finally accepted who you are.”

Mac’s jaw tightens.

“I always knew you would return,” Whitmore continues. “Men like you eventually discover the world is exactly as cruel as I taught them it was.”

Mac lowers his head.

For one second, I think the recording reached the part of him the First Circle never released.

Then he looks up.

His eyes are wet.

Clear.

Steady.

“I spent years believing you.”

The recording continues, unable to hear him.

“You lacked conviction. You questioned. You doubted.”

Mac walks toward the nearest monitor.

“You taught me strength meant fear. Loyalty meant obedience. Power was worth any price.”

He glances toward Rook.

Then me.

Evie.

The rest of the team.

“They taught me something you never understood.”

He faces Whitmore’s image.

“They trusted me.”

His voice cracks.

“They gave me a chance to become better than the man you created.”

Whitmore’s recorded smile remains.

“So welcome home.”