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

other on the very little information they had finding Jack.

'Have you got any new leads on our friend?' Barnes inquired.

'Nothing since the withdrawal. We've tried tracing his phone, but it's coming back empty,' Jacob updated him.

'Officers are keeping an eye out for anyone matching his description. I've also contacted other county police and shared with them his description,' Ally voiced her input.

'It's just frustrating that this guy has done a runner and we can't find him,' Barnes shook his head.

'It's okay, boss,' Jacob replied. 'We found you and caught Lily. We'll find Jack Roberts too.'

Ally's phone started to ring from inside her pocket. Her eyes caught sight of the screen, displaying a name in which she never expected to see again.

'Sorry,' she said to them both as she left the briefing room to answer it.

'You're right, Jacob.'

'I know,' he smirked at Barnes.

'Have you had any more envelopes?' Barnes asked him.

'Nothing yet. I thought it was Lily, but when I received that last lot of photos, she was in custody.'

'Maybe she posted it just before and it took a while to get here,' he told Jacob his theory.

'Maybe she did.'

Ally suddenly returned to the room as the pair turned to face her. She carried on while the pair of them, being nosy, waited for an explanation on her phone call.

'What?' she replied to their stares.

'What was the phone call about?' Barnes questioned her.

'Can't a girl keep anything private around here?'

'I think that's too much to ask. Nothing stays private, look at our investigations for example,' Jacob laughed.

'I think you may be right there, Jacob,' Barnes joked along with him.

Ally got fed up with the laughter, 'If you must know, that was an old...,' she paused. '... a friend of mine. He wants me to join his new team.'

Jacob's heart sank. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Does Ally really hate it here that much, that she'll leave the team? Barnes' face was just as shocked as Jacob's.

'What new team?' Barnes demanded answers. 'Are you thinking of leaving us already?'

'I told him I'd have to think about it. I'm not ready to leave the team yet. As you said, I've not long joined you guy's but it's a fantastic opportunity,' she explained in not too much detail.

'Is it in Birmingham? Or will you be leaving the city too?' Jacob started to raise more questions.

'It's in Hawaii,' she answered.

'Hawaii,' both Jacob and Barnes yelled at precisely the same time.

'There's a lot to consider before I make a decision anyway.'

She turned her attention to Jacob, trying to see what his reaction was like. Her feelings for him were the main contributor to her answer, knowing she'd be leaving him behind.

'I think you should do what your heart tells you,' Jacob advised her.

She didn't know if he meant he wanted her to stay, or that the opportunity was too good to miss. After all, the weather was much nicer in Hawaii.

'Does that mean you'll have to go back to school to learn how different the policing is over there?' Barnes seemed interested but also disappointed that she was considering leaving.

'More than likely. Look, I'd prefer it if we could keep this between us three for the moment until I've made a decision.'

They both agreed and the three of them left the briefing room. Ethan approached them eagerly with new information as they came out of the room.

'I've just had a phone call. Someone has seen our social media post and have called to say they've seen Jack Roberts at the Premier Inn by the airport.'

'That's a good half-hour drive from here,' Jacob raised his concern. 'He might be gone before we even get there.'

'You're right,' Barnes said, thinking of what else he could do before they arrived. 'Send the closest police cars in the area to that location and tell them to make sure he doesn't leave until we get there,' he barked his orders at Ethan.

'Yes, boss,' he responded before heading back to his desk and picking up the phone.

Barnes, Ally and Jacob grabbed their coats and ran to the car park. The three of them leapt into Barnes' car and sped off towards the airport.

Kate had been working since she'd finished school for the day. It had been the same shift as it had been for the last few days. The same man had been sitting at the same table every day, as usual, for hours. He gave Kate the creeps so much she hated going over to the table to ask if he wanted anything else, even though she knew the answer.

'No, thank you.'

Kate scurried back to the counter as quick as she could, letting Belle know her thoughts on the man. Belle kept quiet about her encounter with the man, knowing the reason he was sat inside the cafe was to see Kate.

When Kate's back was turned, Belle whacked out her phone and text Jacob one sentence;

"He's here."

Kate was getting impatient as the man still slurped away at his coffee, unaware of their closing time. Her face began to blow up like a red balloon before she chose to confront him.

'Excuse me, mate. We're closing soon. Can you hurry up and finish your two-hour long coffee.'

He chuckled while raising the mug up to his lips, angering Kate even more.

'What's so funny?' she shouted.

Belle ran up to her, trying to pull her away. 'Kate, come on.'

'You've got a fiery temper, Kate,' he continued laughing. 'You are so much like your mother.'

Belle stopped pulling at Kate's arm. Kate stood still when Belle noticed she’d started to restrain less.

'What do you mean by that?' she demanded answers.

'Kate, come on,' Belle pulled at her arm again.

'No, Belle,' she replied,