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

'I can't help but think there is some truth to his story,' Ally expressed her concern.

'Me too, no matter how crazy it sounds. He said there were three others out there, but we have no idea who these people are and where they live,' said Barnes. 'They might not even live in the UK. I want to speak to him, off the record.'

'Boss, I don't think we should let you do that. You were part of this case, plus it’s against protocol,' Ally expressed her views on the matter.

'I'll be fine. I'll be a few minutes.'

'You've got five minutes,' she informed him.

Barnes entered the room and shut the door behind him. Cain smiled as Barnes turned around and he recognised the man standing in front of him.

'You know who I am and you know why I'm here?' Barnes said.

'You want me to tell you more about myself and my siblings,' Cain guessed. 'Straight to business, DCI Barnes?'

'I haven't got time for idle chit chat. I need you to tell me who these people are,' Barnes raised his voice.

'I don't know. Once we were released, we were split up. Don't forget they are taking the bodies of people, like myself and Nathan here,' he joked.

'Is that why Lily wanted the diamonds? To put you all back inside?'

'Do you think I’d have helped her if that was the reason?' He laughed. 'No. She needed them to help her get her mother back.'

'You both keep saying this but never tell me where her mother actually is.'

'That's because you wouldn't believe us if we told you,' Cain lent forward.

'Try me.' Barnes lowered his voice and smirked, 'I know where the diamonds are.'

'Then why didn't you tell her? You'd have saved yourself a lot of pain.'

'She'd have killed me either way. I'd rather the world be a safer place with me dead.'

The door opened and Ally stood in the doorway, eyes glancing between Barnes and Cain.

'Time's up,' she told him.

Barnes left the room, but before they shut the door, Cain had something to say.

'I hope your wife's okay?'

Barnes took one angry look back at Cain before shutting the door on him.

Jacob lay in his bed, glaring at the ceiling, wondering what was happening at work without him. The winter sun made an appearance, peeping through his bedroom blinds. He didn't want to move from his bed. Between the blinding light in his eyes and his pounding hangover headache, Jacob couldn't focus on removing himself.

Clanging noises rang throughout the apartment as if somebody was banging pots and pans. Rolling over, he felt his stomach turn, sick rising to his throat. The room was spinning with every movement, more than it did before. Jacob drunkenly stumbled to the bedroom door and twisted the handle. A burst of light shone through the open gap of the door as he covered his eyes with his hand.

A smell of pancakes drifted up his nose as he extended the door wider. His eyes caught Belle flipping the pancakes on the frying pan. A bright happy smile glowed on her face while she sang.

'Somebody's happy this morning,' he observed as he entered the room.

Belle smiled at him. 'You want some pancakes?'

'Maybe just one,' he answered, knowing if he ate too much he'd risk being sick.

'You look like shit. You must've had a good night,' she continued flipping pancakes.

'Yeah, I think it was a good night, from what I can remember,' he rubbed his head. 'When did you learn to make pancakes, anyway?'

'Work. Don't forget I work in a cafe.'

Belle plated a pancake and slid it in front of him. It looked so appealing but Jacob's stomach was still rotating, but he was hungry. He took a mouthful before he decided to surrender and admit defeat.

'You don't like it?' she asked him with a sad appearance.

'It's amazing. I'm just so hungover.'

'It's okay. Are you going to work today?'

'I think I'll give it a miss for today,' he laughed while trying to keep the vomit down.

Jacob moved his body away from the breakfast bar and jumped in the shower. His head still pounding, he sat on the tiled shower floor, trying to not make any sudden movements. Trying to keep his mind off his hangover, recent events flooded his thoughts again. From the happy years he spent with Lily, to the events that led up to his father’s death.

Jacob couldn't sit and reminisce on the good and bad memories of his past anymore. Knowing he needed to pull himself together, he lifted himself off the floor. Once out of the shower, he grabbed some clean, smart clothes and grabbed his police badge. Wanting to go to work, he stopped and realised he wouldn't be able to drive. So he grabbed his phone and called the only person he could trust to pick him up and have complete confidentiality of his situation.

'Hi, Ally. It's Jacob. I'm just wondering if you'd be able to come and get me?' he asked.

'Jacob, I don't think you should even think about coming to work at the moment. You should take a few days off.'

'With all due respect, Ally. I can't sit here anymore. I just keep thinking of everything that's happened lately. I need a distraction,' he confessed.

'Are you still drinking?' Ally interrogated.

'What do you mean by that?' he turned defensive and sharp.

'I know you've been drinking while on the job, Jacob. I've been trying to hide it from everybody, but someone is bound to notice soon. I can get you some help...'

Jacob cut her off. 'I don't need any help!' he shouted. 'Forget about it. I'll make my own way in.'

Jacob hung up the call and grabbed his coat and keys. As he left the apartment,