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

feared. More photos from another crime scene. The crime scene of Ella Morgan. What is this bitch trying to gain from this? he asked himself. Is it not enough that she's out there with Barnes? I've got to let Ally know.

He got up from his seat and marched over towards Barnes' office where Ally had taken residence. On one hand, his fist was clenched and the other grasped the envelope and its contents tightly.

He knocked on the door and waited for Ally to invite him inside. Once inside, he threw the photos on the desk.

'Look at this!' he yelled, but not loud enough for people outside of the office to hear. 'Why's she doing this to me? And why now?'

'I have no idea, Jacob,' she replied calmly, examining the photos.

Jacob sat at the desk opposite Ally, placed his head in his hands and began to sob. Ally rose from her seat and leaned in to hug him.

'It's okay, Jacob,' she comforted him. 'I know you're worried about Barnes. I am too, but don't let her get to you.'

'I can't help it, Ally,' he sobbed.

'Whatever I say to you is not going to make any difference, but just know, Jacob...' she placed her hand on his, 'I'm here for you.'

'Thank you,' he replied, smiling at her but nervous at the same time.

Jacob's feelings for Ally were progressing and he knew she felt the same way. But he wasn't ready for a new relationship just yet. The only thing he wanted to focus on was finding their boss. Every day they wasted, was another day Barnes would be at risk of being killed.

As the pair gazed into one another's eyes, Ethan burst in. Jacob pulled his hand away from Ally's before rising to his feet.

'What is it, Ethan?' he asked.

'They've found it,' Ethan replied.

'Found what?'

'Barnes' car. It's been found outside an old run-down warehouse. Patrol cars are on the scene observing. They're waiting for us,' he explained.

Ethan headed out of the room in a hurry, leaving Ally staring at Jacob.

'Jacob. I need to tell you...'

'It's fine, Ally.'

'Please, I need to explain...'

'Ally, I said it doesn't matter,' he snapped. 'We've got work to do.'

He left Ally alone. She understood why he withdrew his hand from hers, but she wanted to confess how she felt about him. Her feelings had grown for him over the last couple of months and she had a burning desire to tell him.

Jacob entered wearing his jacket and car keys held firmly in his hands.

'Are you coming?' he interrupted her from her thoughts.

'I'll meet you at the car.'

The team arrived at the warehouse around 1.30 pm to find the police car that had been keeping watch, parked up all alone in the distance.

'Where are the officers?' Jacob asked.

The team exited their vehicles and strolled over towards the abandoned police car. Jacob placed his face against the window, glaring inside. He pulled the door handle and to his surprise, it was unlocked. Ally made her way to the back of the car and paused. She was about to open up the boot but hesitated. Her hand pressed the button and the door opened revealing nothing but police equipment inside. Ally sighed with relief, fearing what she could've found inside.

They caught up with the others who had made their way to Barnes' car. They searched the entire car and found nothing but bloodstains inside the boot.

They stealthily continued their way towards the warehouse, making sure not to make a sound. Jacob pulled the door handle and was surprised once again to find the door unlocked. Nothing but silence could be heard, as the team set foot inside. Whoever was inside the warehouse was gone. No sign of Lily and no sign of Barnes.

'Damn it!' Jacob yelled in anger.

Brian stepped over towards a pool of blood where Barnes had been hanging. Surrounding the blood was the two officers, dead on the floor with bullet wounds in their chests.

'Over here,' Brian cried out, before covering his nose and mouth with his left hand.

'Shit,' Sarah swore in disbelief as she approached.

'Looks like we've found the missing officers,' said Ally. 'Let's call this in and get forensics here right away.'

No words were spoken. She had gotten away again, with more innocent people losing their lives. Jacob felt sick to his stomach as did everyone else. Who is this woman? he asked himself. Jacob thought he knew the real Lily, but she had been hiding her true self from everyone she knew.

'Forensics will be here within the hour,' Ally announced. 'When back up arrives we need to secure the perimeter. Let’s assume the local news crews will know by now, so please keep them at bay.'

Fifteen minutes passed and the backup officers had arrived and set a perimeter around the warehouse. Another half an hour passed before the forensics team arrived on the scene. Chloe Fisher stepped out of the van and walked over towards Jacob and his team, while the rest of her crew were getting changed into their white suits.

'Did you get her?' she asked without even greeting them.

'No,' Jacob replied, not giving her eye contact. 'She got away again.'

'What about Barnes?'

'He's still missing,' Ally answered.

'You'll get him back.' Chloe placed her hand on his shoulder, before heading back towards her team.

Jacob felt extremely guilty. They were so close but Lily had just gotten away so quickly. It could be days, even months before they could have any scrap of information on Barnes if they get any at all.

'I'm going to call it a day,' Jacob informed the team.

'Are you okay?' Ally seemed concerned about him.

'No, but I'll be fine. I'm just disappointed we missed them,' he admitted. 'I'm tired, Ally. I'm tired of