Reid - Maddie Wade Page 0,25
to Hereford where we have the home advantage. I keep feeling we’re playing catch up on this and I don’t like it.”
“I agree, plus we have back-up if we need it.”
“I’m going to give Jack a call and hear his thoughts on it.”
“Good idea. I’m going to rustle up some food, best to eat while we can.”
Reid stepped outside into the overgrown back yard and hit dial.
Jack picked up almost immediately. “Reid, give me an update.” Jack was always brisk and to the point, but he was also a good man who cared about his men.
“We got back and found Callie’s housekeeper murdered in her bed. We think it happened just moments before she arrived home, so suspect someone close to her.”
“Yes, that would be my thoughts too. What are your plans?”
“If it’s okay, I’ll bring her to Hereford. I want the home advantage.”
“Good call. She’ll be safe here, and you’ll have back-up if you need it.” Jack paused.
He instantly knew something had happened with Gunner. “What’s happened?”
Jack sighed, and Reid pictured him pacing his office. “We heard through a contact of Blake’s that Gunner might be working for someone close to the Royal Household, but we don’t know more than that.”
“That makes no sense. We protect the Royal Household. Why would they want us out of the way?”
“I don’t know yet, but I will find out.”
“Any idea where Gunner is yet?”
“No, not yet. The last sighting was in Egypt but nothing since then.”
“I still can’t believe he betrayed us like that,” Reid mused out loud.
“Yeah, neither can I. Anyway, come in when you get back, and we’ll make a plan for Calista Lundholm and her stalker.”
“Thanks, boss, but you need the manpower to find Gunner and the threat. I can do this alone if I’m on home turf.”
“No, I won’t have my men working alone when we can help. We can spare Liam and Mitch on this for a few weeks. Waggs may need to step in if Liam is needed elsewhere but other than that, we have you covered. Blake and Alex are chasing a lead in Kandahar and Lopez is looking into a few things too, so we have the time. Concentrate on finding this fucker. I hate assholes that terrorise innocent woman.”
Reid smiled at his boss’ overly long and unexpected tirade. Jack, as a rule, was a man of few words so this was a long one for him.
“Will do, Jack.”
Reid hung up and walked back inside to the smell of bacon frying and his stomach grumbled. One thing he loved about living in the UK was their ability to see a full English breakfast as food at any time of the day.
He stole a rasher off the plate and Liam pinned him with a glare which made him smirk. He turned his head at the sound of someone outside the front door, his senses immediately on guard. He moved to the foot of the stairs and drew his weapon ready to defend Callie if need be.
He grinned when he heard Mitch swear from outside and then a clatter. Checking the window beside the door, he saw Mitch on his ass with Bono licking his face. It was quite the sight and definitely camera-worthy, although he resisted the temptation. Instead, he pulled open the door and looked down at Mitch as Bono barrelled past him towards the smell of bacon.
Mitch glared after the dog as he stood. “I’m getting too old for this shit,” he said, pushing past Reid, who did a sweep of the area with his eyes and then satisfied, closed the door.
He headed back to the kitchen but stopped when he heard noise from upstairs. He reversed his direction and went to see if Callie was awake. He knocked gently, not wanting to catch her half-naked, more for his own self-preservation than anything else though. Any more of Callie half-naked and his good intentions would be shot to shit.
He entered when she called out softly and smiled at the sight of her sitting on the bed looking rumpled and delicious. Her sleepy eyes made him think of what it would be like to wake up with her. His body responded instantly, his dick hardening, and he had to try and think of anything else except the vision she made.
“Hey.” Her voice was gentle and slightly husky from her crying jag, and he had to start reciting the phonetic alphabet to keep himself in check.
He moved closer and knelt by her knees. “I have