Page 4 of Silent Target

A hinge whispers behind me.

The door is opening.

I don’t look back.

Running would confirm everything.

I force myself to walk at the same unhurried pace, even though every muscle in my body is braced for a bullet.

I reach the curve in the corridor.

“Agent Hart.”

I stop.

My blood turns to ice.

Walter Graves stands beside the open door. His silver hair is perfectly combed. His suit jacket is unbuttoned, and his expression is as calm as it is during congressional briefings.

Miller and Rhodes stand behind him.

So do two armed security officers.

Graves smiles. “Working late?”

I turn and force myself to return it.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

His gaze drops to my bag.

Then returns to my face.

“You should be careful,” he says quietly. “There are dangerous people in this building.”

He doesn’t know.

Not for certain.

But he suspects.

And if Walter Graves suspects, I have minutes.

Maybe less.

“I’ll remember that.”

I turn toward the elevator.

I can feel all five men watching me.

My shoulder blades itch as I wait for the doors to open. For one terrible second, I’m certain Graves will order the guards to stop me.

The doors slide apart.

I step inside and press the button for the main level.

Graves watches me until the doors close between us.