Page 51 of Silent Target

Evie’s eyes sharpen. “Which means we need physical access.”

“Exactly.”

Rook’s voice joins us. “We still have to get Mac out.”

“We will.”

“How?”

I look toward the compound.

“We rescue Mac and take whatever Graves is desperate to protect.”

Cobra whistles over the radio. “Just those two things?”

“For now.”

Evie gives me a look. “Do you ever choose the easy mission?”

“No.”

“At least you’re consistent.”

Movement flashes between the trees.

I grab her and pull her down as a burst of gunfire rips through the branches overhead.

The search teams have reached the ridge.

“Move,” I order.

We descend along the rocky slope, staying below the compound’s line of sight.

Evie keeps pace without complaining.

She’s exhausted. I hear it in her breathing. See it when her left foot slips.

But every time I reach for her, she’s already moving again.

I lead her beneath the roots of a fallen pine where the mountain has formed a shallow hollow.

It isn’t protection.

It’s concealment.

For the moment, that’s enough.

“Rook,” I say. “Give me your position.”

“South ridge. Eighteen minutes.”

“They have at least two snipers and four search teams above the compound.”

“Can you clear them?”

“Yes.”

Evie watches my face as I say it.