Page 19 of Finding English

“Frightened out of her mind.”

“Wanna tell us what we’re up against?”

Henry pushed his fingers through his hair. “I will, but I need to make some urgent calls first.”

“Go use the study. I’ll listen for Cassie and make her some tea.”

Leaning in, Henry kissed his mother’s soft cheek. “Thanks, mum.”

She offered him a smile and a small nod before filling the kettle for more tea.

Henry closed the door to the study and picked up the phone, waiting as it rang.

“TJ already called. What’s going on?” Calder demanded as he answered.

“Did you know Cassie is the lone survivor of the Silk Scarf Killer?”

Silence at the end of the phone was his answer. “No, we had no idea.”

“Well, she is. When we got home after our date tonight her place reeked of her mother’s perfume. The silk scarf he took from her mother the night he killed her was on Cassie’s bed. Call whoever you need to get the house checked for prints or DNA. I’m putting in a call to some friends of mine who might be able to help.”

“This is going to be an FBI case, Sax.”

“I know, but I have resources of my own, and I’ll use everything I can to keep her and Michaela safe.

“Just make sure they know.”

“I will, but make no mistake, Calder, their safety is my priority.”

“I get that, I do, but we need to make sure that whatever we do doesn’t end up causing a mistrial. This fucker needs to go away for good.”

“I understand. Can you co-ordinate your end?”

“Yeah, let me make the calls and expect people out to you shortly.”

“We’ll be waiting.”

Henry hung up knowing Calder would handle his end and he’d do his part. As it was still early in the UK, Henry sent a text to Will Granger to call him as soon as he woke. As he went to stow the phone in his pocket, it rang with Will’s name flashing on the screen.

“English, what can I do for you at the ass crack of dawn?”

Henry had met some bright minds in his time, but Will Granger took it to a new level, developing tech for the Military that had saved thousands of lives as well as other things that he wouldn’t talk about.

His worth had to be out of his realm of understanding, and yet he lived a modest life where both he and Aubrey worked and loved what they did. Henry couldn’t have asked for anyone better in a partner on the job than Aubrey. But this time he needed Will and perhaps help from either Fortis or Eidolon. The Silk Scarf Killer had stayed hidden for the last fifteen years, so whoever he was, he knew how to disappear. Henry wasn’t going to give him the chance to do that this time.

“My girlfriend was the sole survivor of the Silk Scarf Killer. Earlier tonight he left her dead mother’s silk scarf on her bed. I need help tracking him and finding this fucker.”

“What exactly do you need and if I can supply it I will.”

The knot in Henry’s gut loosened a little at the instant offer of support from people he knew were the elite at this. “Anything you can spare. I have friends here within the Texas Rangers and FBI as well as an ME, but they’re all law enforcement and subject to red tape.”

“You just want this done so she’s safe,” Will guessed having done something similar when Aubrey had been in danger, even stealing a plane and flying to the other side of the world to rescue her.

“Yes. Cassie and Michaela are important to me.”

“Cassie and Michaela?”

“Michaela is her four-year-old daughter.”