The room went silent.
Every head turned toward the leftmost screen.
The Pentagon. The largest office building in the world. Twenty-three thousand people worked there. An RA-115 device detonated in the parking lot would gut the Department of Defense, kill thousands, and leave the country blind and leaderless.
"Charlie Team, take the shot if you have it."
"Copy, Overwatch. Sniper is acquiring target now."
Ivy stopped breathing.
On the screen, she could see the parking lot, rows of cars, the Pentagon rising in the background like a concrete mountain. The blue pickup truck was in the center of the frame. A man sat in the truck bed, his back against the cab, something small and rectangular in his hands.
"Overwatch, Charlie. Sniper has the shot. Standby."
The room was so quiet, Ivy could feel her blood pounding in her ears.
"Overwatch, Charlie. Target down. Repeat, target is down. NEST is moving in now."
The tension broke like a snapped wire.
Someone exhaled loudly. Someone else muttered, "Jesus Christ."
Carver closed his eyes for a moment, his hand pressed against his forehead.
Ivy's legs felt weak.
"Echo Team, Overwatch. Status?"
"Overwatch, Echo. NEST has confirmed the package. It's here. RA-115 device, Soviet manufacture, serial number matches the intel. The device is not armed. Repeat, device is not armed. We are securing it now."
One down.
"Bravo Team, Overwatch. Status?"
"Overwatch, Bravo. NEST has confirmed the package. RA-115 device, serial number matches. Device is not armed. Suspect is in custody. We are securing the area now."
Two down.
"Alpha Team, Overwatch. Status?"
"Overwatch, Alpha. NEST has confirmed the package. RA-115 device, serial number matches. Device is not armed. Both suspects are in custody. Area is secure."
Three down.
"Delta Team, Overwatch. Status?"
"Overwatch, Delta. NEST has confirmed the package. RA-115 device, serial number matches. Device is not armed. Both suspects are in custody. Area is secure."
Four down.
"Charlie Team, Overwatch. Status?"
A pause. Longer than the others.
Ivy's heart hammered.
"Overwatch, Charlie. NEST has confirmed the package. RA-115 device, serial number matches. Device is not armed. Suspect is deceased. Area is secure."
