Page 229 of Silent Target

“You should be resting.”

“I’m walking.”

“You’re following me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

I meet her gaze.

“Every time I let you out of sight, something explodes.”

A laugh escapes her.

Soft.

Tired.

Beautiful.

“I’ll try to control that.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

She reaches the door, then stops.

Her fingers close around mine.

“You don’t have to follow me anymore.”

“I know.”

“I’m not your assignment.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you still here?”

The question deserves an answer.

A real one.

I look down at our joined hands.

“Because I don’t know how to walk away from you.”

Her breath catches.

Before she can respond, Fathom calls from the evidence room.

“Caleb. Evie. You need to see this.”

The moment breaks.

But it doesn’t disappear.

It waits between us.