"What can you do?" Magnus started at the sound of Henry's voice from behind her. He was leaning against the wall, tablet in hand.
"Not much I fear." She replied.
"I'd suggest letting them fight it out, but that wouldn't end well for Kate."
"No." Magnus gestured back in to her office, followed Henry in and sat down behind the desk. "It wouldn't." Henry took a seat opposite her, shaking his head.
"She'll get over it."
"Eventually."
"Makes the drills easier for me at the moment though."
"How so?" That was a problem.
"When they argue it slows you down, gives me more time to think. You OK, by the way?"
"I'm fine Henry."
"Good. It was just when I knocked you down..." He tailed off.
"What was it you wanted to show me?"
"Oh, yeah." Henry laid his tablet on the desk. "Virginia police are getting a bit exited. They had what looked like an animal attack in Emporia a week ago, then another one in Fredricksburg. This is the interesting bit: both bodies look like wolf-size animal kills. There've been rangers out, but there's no sign of wolves or coyotes or anything. Both victims were males in their early twenties who'd been out on the town on a Friday night. Both killed in woodland, but neither had an obvious reason to go there. It might be nothing, but..."
"But it's certainly interesting. There's not much to go on here, but if it develops, let me know. The Friday detail is unusual, but it could just be a coincidence. Look in to it if you have time, otherwise..."
"OK. Got it Doc." Henry got up and left, still limping slightly.
Magnus glanced at her watch. She'd better go and change now, if she was going out at eight.
o0o0o0o
"Please, one night." The girl could hear the pleading note in her own voice. "I'll pay it tomorrow. I swear. Trade's been bad this week, just give me a shot."
"You've had too many chances. Get lost." The landlady answered coldly.
"I got nowhere else to go, I'll be sleeping rough."
"Aint my problem. Out."
"This part of town? I'll get raped!"
"That's your job, isn't it?" The girl flushed
"That's different?"
"How? You get paid? I don't wanna do my job for no pay either. Get lost."
"Excuse me." The calm, deep European accent made the girl turn. A tall, bald man strode out of the shadows, long leather coat flapping slightly. "If I have understood the situation here, I do believe we can help one another." His blue eyes settled on hers. "You are looking for a way to pay your rent, I am looking for company."
"Yeah." The girl replied, relief flooding her.
"How much?" Was he German? British? French? Russian? She couldn't tell one European accent from another.
"Fifty dollars." He nodded slightly.
"That sounds agreeable to me." The girl nodded, smiling.
"You aint doing no `business` here." The landlady butted in. "This aint a brothel."
"No matter." The man replied. " If you will..." He gestured for her to follow him. "I hope you don't object to a walk." The girl shook her head. This man was a gift. He'd give her her rent, probably let her stay the night, and she'd even have a few dollars over.
o0o0o0o
Ten past ten. Not too bad, by Elanor's standards, Magnus thought as she strode out along the street. She'd be home in twenty minutes.
Phone. She stopped and withdrew it from her bag.
"Magnus?"
"Will."
"Magnus, we got trouble. Squid and Razor both called saying they saw a tall, bald Britt leading a working girl across town. Vertical scar on one cheek."
"John." A cold fist clenched in Magnus's chest.
"Yeah. CCTV's just shown him leading the girl in to a deliveries yard. There's no coverage in there. It's 2 blocks away from you. Ashley could get there and get the girl out."
"He'd have warning, unless Ashley knew exactly where the girl was. He'd teleport away with the girl and kill her."
"Are you armed?"
"Beretta, but I'd have to get close to do damage."
"Could you try talking him down?"
"I could try, but it hasn't worked in the past.
"All you'd need to do would be to hold him off until we got there with tranqs or something."
"Worth a try." Magnus conceded, hiding her fear.
"We'll be there in ten." Will hung up. Magnus drew a calming breath, trying to forget what had happened the last time she'd tried this, replaced her phone and drew her pistol. She could afford no fear, no mistakes. All that stood between the girl and death was her. She could not fail.
Appologies for how short this chapter is. Realistically, it could be a week before you get another one, but I'd hope four days.
