Within the Shadows by J.D MCG (book recommendations .TXT) 📗

the kitchen where they found the ungodly sight of Charlotte Roberts, dead on the floor. Both Ally and Jacob covered their mouths with their hands.

'We're going to need to get forensics in here right away,' Jacob advised Ally.

'Let’s get out of here before we contaminate the scene,' she replied.

Twenty minutes had passed before forensics appeared. The crime scene had been cordoned off around the street. Police cars were everywhere, with their lights flashing. Crowds gathered like they usually do, fishing for the next big story.

The forensic team got dressed into their white overalls before entering the premises. Chloe Fisher was among the team, gathering as much evidence as they could.

Jacob and Ally remained within the perimeter of the police tape, interviewing neighbours and potential witnesses who might have any information that could help with the case.

'They were a nice couple,' old Dorothy from across the road was filling them in. 'They've never really been any bother, until the other night.'

Her grey hair was short and curly as if she'd just had a fresh perm.

'What do you mean, the other night?' Ally asked her.

'Well, I was emptying my bins and I heard shouting coming from their house. Then all of a sudden, it went quiet. I mean really quiet.'

'Then what happened?' Jacob asked, writing down notes.

'I went inside and made a cup of tea,' she continued.

Ally and Jacob turned to face one another, and let out a little giggle.

'Is there anything else you remember?' Ally asked.

'No, I don't think there is.'

'Thank you very much for your time, Mrs Thorpe,' Ally politely thanked her and moved on to their next witness.

'Hello. I'm DI Miller and this is my partner, DS Wright,' she introduced themselves once again but to Mr Avi Hussain this time, with both of them taking turns to shake his hand.

Mr Hussain was a valued member of the community. He loved doing charity work within the neighbourhood and was always there to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it.

'We just have a few questions to ask you,' Jacob informed him.

'Do you remember hearing or seeing anything strange?' Ally asked.

'Not really. There was just a lot of shouting,' answered Avil.

'Do you remember where the shouting came from?' Ally continued.

'Yeah,' he pointed, 'from the Roberts household.'

‘What were they like?’

‘Usually quite quiet, but the last couple of weeks, Jack’s been acting very strange.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘He used to run most nights. I mean, he loved running, but now he stays in the house, peeping through the windows. He’s been like that since December.’

'Thank you,’ Jacob replied. ‘If you remember anything else that could help, could you please give us a call?' Jacob handed him a card with his number on it. 'Thank you for your time.'

Mr Hussain walked away from them and back inside his house. Jacob and Ally were starting to think along the same lines, that the husband could be involved.

'What are your first thoughts?' Ally asked him.

'The husband might be involved,' he replied.

'Exactly what I was thinking,' she passed over her initial thoughts.

'Easy. Case closed,' Jacob joked.

Jacob and Ally strolled over towards Jack Roberts, who was covered in a foil blanket. Tears still streaming down his cheeks and his nose still sniffling.

'Mr Roberts. I'm sorry to bother you, but we need you to come down the station with us to answer a few more questions,' Ally asked him nicely.

'Can I not come tomorrow,' he sobbed. 'I've just lost my wife.'

'I know and we are deeply sorry for your loss, but this cannot wait,' Ally continued.

'Okay,' he replied.

Jacob led Jack to the police car which would be escorting him to the station and placed him gently inside before shutting the door. Jacob then met his partner back at their car and they started their journey back to the station.

Jacob and Ally arrived back at the station just before 9 pm. Jack Roberts had already been processed by the escorting officer and placed inside an interview room. He sat waiting patiently for his lawyer to arrive.

Jack kept processing the night’s events. Why do I get the feeling they are going to arrest me? It's got to be that guy who's been stalking me. No matter what he thought, he knew it was strange that he was sitting inside a police interview room waiting for his lawyer.

The door opened and Simon Ballard walked in. Simon had been Jack's solicitor for seven years. And in that time, he'd never been sat with Jack inside a police station. Simon had also been Alex Baker's lawyer as well as his friend.

'Simon, thank you for coming,' Jack said, holding his hand out for Simon to shake it.

'What a mess you've gotten yourself into,' replied Simon, as he shook Jack's hand before sitting down beside him. 'So what's going on?'

'My wife was murdered,' he sobbed his answer. 'I believe they think I've killed her.'

'And did you?' he asked.

'Of course I didn't,' he yelled at him, upset that he'd even think that.

'Okay. You know I have to ask to see what I'm dealing with. It's the best way for me to help you.'

'I know. I'm sorry, it's just been a really stressful day.'

Jacob and Ally sat inside the briefing room discussing what questions they were going to ask Mr Roberts. Ally had another investigation board brought into the briefing room to help with the investigation into Charlotte Roberts’ death. Two boards sat next to one another. Two open investigations. The team still had to investigate Barnes' disappearance as well as their new case.

Ally was pinning photos of Charlotte's murder onto the new board, listening to what Jacob had to say. Their only real lead was her husband who was currently sitting inside