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

Vanessa Barnes' evening was just like any other; cooking her daughters dinners, cleaning up around the house before she put the girls to bed. Once they'd settled down for the night, she chilled on the sofa with a glass of red wine. She wasn't an avid wine drinker, just an average bottle from the supermarket did her just fine.

But somebody interrupted her night with a knock on the door. Reluctantly, she removed herself from her comfy, slumped posture and answered the door, to see two policemen standing in front of her.

'Good evening...' one officer greeted before Vanessa cut him short.

'What is it? What's wrong,' she began to panic, seeing the officers at her door. 'Is it my husband?'

'Your husband is fine. We've been asked to keep guard over your house,' the officer continued to inform her.

'You've found him?'

'Yes, but he believes you and your daughters are in danger. We'll be right outside if you need us.'

'Thank you,' she replied, before closing the doors as the officers returned to their vehicle.

Nervous and worried, Vanessa strolled back over to her sofa and wine. She couldn't relax knowing her ex-husband thought she was in danger, was putting her on edge. His kidnapper must have gotten away, that's why he's sent the officers, she wondered.

Vanessa couldn't relax and wanted to check on her daughters as her mind raced through multiple thoughts. One-step, two-step. Before she knew it, she was at the top. As she pushed their bedroom door open, she sighed with relief, seeing them calmly asleep in their beds.

She stood there for what seemed like minutes, watching them sleep. It was an incredible feeling, seeing them laying there while danger was on the loose. But another knock on the door interrupted her moment.

As she walked down the stairs, she thought for a moment. What happens if it's the kidnapper? She peeped through the spy hole, to see a female officer stood in uniform.

'Hello,' Vanessa greeted as she opened the door.

'Hi. Just to let you know, Mrs Barnes, we've just had a report that the kidnapper is in the area,' the officer informed her while looking over her own shoulder.

The female officer seemed nervous and on edge. She kept checking behind her and around the street.

'Do you want to come in?' Vanessa asked her.

'I'll check the house, just to make sure, if that's okay?' she replied.

Vanessa caught a glimpse of the officer’s badge as she entered. Sam Wilson. As she walked over to check the windows and doors throughout the ground floor of the house, Vanessa offered her a drink.

'No, thank you,' she replied, continuing through the house.

The phone in the hallway began to ring. As Vanessa checked the caller I.D, she noticed it had Brian's name.

'Hello, Brian,' she answered.

'Hi, Vanessa. I'm just checking up to see if the police unit we sent over has arrived?'

'Yes, they're here. Officer Wilson is inside checking the windows and doors. She's just checking upstairs and then she's finished.'

'Officer Wilson?' he asked.

'Yes, that's what I said. Sam Wilson.'

'Vanessa, I need you to listen carefully,' he replied anxiously.

'Why? What's wrong?'

'I need you to tell me the description of this officer,' he asked, still nervous about who was in her house.

'Who is in my house?' she queried with a whisper as she was becoming scared.

'What does she look like?' he repeated, wanting her to give him an answer.

'She's slim, blonde...'

'Get out of the house! Sam Wilson is a man,' he yelled at her.

But before she could even move, she heard steps coming from behind her.

'Put the phone down, Mrs Barnes,' the officer demanded.

Vanessa turned around to see the woman aiming a gun towards her. She placed the phone down by her side, leaving the call open so Brian could hear every minute of their conversation.

'Where are my girls?' she cried, knowing this woman was dangerous.

'Don't worry they're still asleep, and they will stay that way, as long as you do as I say,' she ordered.

Chapter 10

The flashing lights were on, the cars were roaring, blasting across the Birmingham streets. Lily was about to cause more chaos and mayhem. Shattering the lives of the people who took her's from her was all she had left. It was ride or die for her now. To kill or be killed.

She wanted information from Barnes, knowing he was the only one who could tell her what she needed to know. It was the only reason she’d kept him alive. She needed a new approach and going after his family would be her last option.

Barnes was still bleeding from his wounds but didn't want to get stitched up until he knew his family was safe, and Lily was in cuffs. Ally hightailed her way to Vanessa's house, pushing her car to its limit.

It wasn't long before they pulled up outside, to see a police perimeter, with armed police trying to get a vantage point on their suspect.

'What have we got?' Ally asked the officer in charge.

'All we know is the suspect is inside holding Mrs Barnes hostage and is armed,' Richard Banks informed her.

Richard had been in charge of the armed response team for as little as five months. It wasn't the first time he'd been in charge of a tactical operation like this.

'I'm going in,' Barnes demanded, pushing his way through everyone.

'DCI Barnes, this is my operation and you'll do as I say!' Richard shouted at him.

'And that's my family, Richard! So keep out of my way!' Barnes yelled back before storming towards his ex-wife's front door.

He slowly pushed the door open, before hearing a familiar, yet to him, terrifying voice call out to him.

'Come on in, Joe. We've been waiting for you.'

Barnes stepped inside, slowly closing the door behind