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

after finding Jacob sat at their father’s desk. 'I thought we were going to wait to...' Adam caught sight of the tears forming from Jacob's eyes. 'What's wrong?'

Jacob said nothing. He looked up, focused his teary eyes upon his brother and handed him the letter. The silence was unnerving, but Adam glanced his eyes down and read what was now in front of him. Jacob analysed his face as he continued reading and then Adam's face turned from confused to shocked within seconds.

'What does this mean?' he asked Jacob.

'It means they've been lying to us this whole time,' he replied.

'What are we going to do?'

'We're going to carry on as normal as if we hadn't read it.'

'What if she finds out?'

Jacob took the letter out of Adam's hand, ripped it up in front of him and placed it inside the bin by the desk.

'The only way she'll find out is if one of us tell her, and that's not going to happen,' Jacob explained.

'What if he finds her?'

'Then we'll deal with it. She doesn't need any more heartbreak, especially now.'

It was almost closing time when Belle discovered the young man still sat inside the cafe. Belle had noticed him earlier that day, mainly because she felt an attraction towards him. His slick blonde hair was just as perfect to her as his flawlessly crafted face.

'I'm really sorry,' Belle apologised as she approached him, 'but we're closing now.'

The young man, in his late teens, lifted his head and smiled at her. Belle's knees went weak and butterflies appeared in her stomach.

'No problem,' he continued smiling. Belle returned the smile before turning around to head back to the counter. 'Aren't you going to ask me why I'm still here?'

Belle turned back to answer him but instead gave him a flirtatious smile before writing down her phone number. It was now or never and Belle thought it was a risk worth taking.

'What's this?' he asked.

'What you've been waiting all day for,' she flirted, before heading back to the counter.

'What's your name?' he shouted his question.

'Belle. My name's Belle.'

He smiled. 'Hi, Belle. I'm Ben.'

Just at that moment, the bell on the cafe door rang as somebody entered. The smartly dressed man walked up to the counter.

'So this is where you work?' Jacob asked.

'Beautiful, isn't it?' she replied.

'What are you doing here anyway?'

'Can I not visit you while you're at work?'

'You're a busy man. You've not got time to visit a cafe,' she joked.

Belle's eyes drifted from Jacob and on to Ben, who had finally decided to leave. Her heart sank slightly, but the hope he'd call her made her perk back up.

'So, fancy getting some food on the way home?' Jacob offered.

'I'll be finished in a few minutes,' she replied excitedly.

'I'll wait in the car.'

Jacob walked back to his car and sat inside, thinking about what he'd read inside both the letters he'd read earlier. How could my father have kept all those secrets? Thoughts kept rolling around inside his head, and then Barnes sprung back again. He's still out there, probably dead or dying, and we have no leads no nothing.

Jacob checked his phone for any messages but there was nothing new. His finger placed on the phone book icon and pressed Ally's name until the phone started ringing.

'Hello,' she answered on the other end.

'Hi, Ally. It's Jacob. Do we know anything new? Has Ethan found anything in relation to Barnes' disappearance?'

'He's trawling through CCTV. We'll let you know if we find anything.'

'Thanks, Ally,' he replied before hanging up.

His feelings towards Ally were growing. She was constantly on his mind along with finding Barnes, but he knew he couldn't have a relationship right now. He needed to solve their case, find Lily and rescue Barnes.

Belle opened the door and jumped in beside him. She could see Jacob was lost in thought, knowing what was probably spinning around inside his head.

'Jacob, what's wrong?' she asked.

He turned his head towards her, staring into her eyes. 'Nothing,' he lied.

'I know it's not nothing, but if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to.'

'There's just so much going on right now. I don't want to bring you down. You're doing so well at the moment with your new job and all.'

'You can tell me anything, Jacob. Not right now, but whenever you're ready,' she said.

Jacob nodded, unsure about what to say. He was glad Belle was a part of his life. She really helped cheer him up after everything that had happened. But he was afraid he'd lose her when she moved out. She was like a little sister to him.

Jacob started the engine and the car roared down the street. Between them, they couldn't decide what to have for dinner. Chinese food was their top choice, and Jacob knew Kate liked it too.

All Jack Roberts could think about was Charlotte. Why did I leave her alone when I knew that man had been in the garden? Questions flew around inside his mind.

He continued to lay on his bed processing everything that had happened, but it hurt him too much to think about. Jack pulled himself off his bed, headed downstairs towards the kitchen, and made a sandwich. He hadn't even buttered one slice of bread before he heard a knock at the door.

When the door opened, Jack lay eyes upon Mr Hussain standing in front of him.

'What are you doing here, Avi?' asked Jack.

'I know it was you!' Avi Hussain started to raise his voice so the entire neighbourhood could hear.

'I don't know what you are talking about.'

'You know exactly what I'm talking about,' he quietly threatened him through his teeth.

'You think I killed Charlotte?' Jack asked