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

three of those people are all in the same city and involved in our case? It doesn't make sense,' she explained.

'What makes you think Jack is suffering from it?'

'Because I saw the pain on that man's face the night we turned up at the scene. He was a broken man and I think he truly loved his wife.'

'What about the murder of Mr Hussain?'

'I don't think it was him. I think it was his other personality,' she said.

The waitress appeared with their food, placing it in front of them. Jacob took a huge bite of his burger as the waitress disappeared back to the counter, leaving them to continue their discussion.

'You need to ask him about the personality in the interview,' Jacob muttered between bites.

'I would but I think the personality is the one who’s doing the talking.'

'What do you mean?'

'When we interviewed him this morning, he wasn't the same guy. He showed no remorse for what he had done, he just kept smiling, and I mean it wasn't just an average smile, it was creepy.'

'What about the bloodstained clothes? Did he ever say who he’d hurt?' Jacob asked.

'Nope. No idea and the victim is still out there somewhere. We have no idea who they are or where they are.'

'And the other person involved with Felicity, did they find them?'

'Again, no.'

They were both silent for a moment while Jacob looked out of the window, trying to think of a connection when Jacob noticed a man staring in at him from across the street. Ally noticed Jacob's face change and glanced out of the window.

'Not again,' he said quietly.

'What's the matter?' she asked, turning her attention back to him.

'I just keep seeing my father. I think I'm suffering from some post-traumatic stress myself,' he expressed.

'I don't think you are,' she replied.

'Why?'

'Because if you are talking about the man across the street, I see him too,' she explained.

Jacob jumped off his seat and rushed out of the cafe, running in the man's direction. Ally was close behind him.

'Stop, police!' Jacob shouted. 'Stay where you are!'

The man started to run away and headed for an alleyway close by. Jacob ran so fast, he didn't realise he was leaving Ally behind. As Jacob turned the corner, he saw the man right in front of him, standing completely still with his back to him. Jacob stood still on the spot, gasping for breath, but keeping his focus on the man who resembled his father.

'Dad? Is that really you?' Jacob asked.

The man turned around and stared at Jacob right in the eyes. He realised the man wasn't his father. His eye colour was different, knowing his father's eyes were blue and not green, like this man's.

'Who are you?' Jacob asked the man.

Ally came rushing with panic around the corner. Not knowing what was going on, she just spectated.

'I'm your uncle,' the man explained.

'My uncle?' Jacob seemed confused.

His father had never explained his own past with his son's. As far as they were aware, their father never had any family. His past was kept a secret from them.

'I'm guessing your father was telling me the truth when he said he kept the family history a secret from you and your brother,' he laughed.

'What are you laughing at?' Jacob yelled at him.

'You don't have to be afraid...'

'I'm not!' he interrupted him.

'Good. I'm not going to hurt you.'

'Why am I only just finding out about you now? And what's your name?'

Jacob started to relax slightly, but still keeping up his guard.

'My names Dan and I can explain everything you want to know, just not out here,' he explained, his head turning from side to side like he was worried about something.

'Jacob,' Ally alerted him. 'We've got to get back to the station.'

Dan handed him his number. 'Call me when you're free. I'll explain everything your father kept hidden.'

Jacob never said a word, just stared at his uncle he never knew existed, then turned to follow Ally back out on to the street. He kept wondering, Why now?

'I have no idea what's going through your mind right now, but I need you to focus on the interview later,' Ally said as they approached the car.

'Life doesn't seem to be giving me a break lately, does it?' he said as they got inside.

Ally sped back to the station, not wanting to sit in the awkward silence a minute longer. Minutes later they arrived at the station and headed inside the CID. Jacob strolled over to his desk while Ally walked into Barnes' office and shut the door.

'Did you know John Wright had a twin brother?' she asked him.

Barnes lifted his head and looked strangely at her, trying not to reveal the truth. 'I had no idea. I knew the guy for years and he never once told me, and he told me a lot of secrets,' he explained. 'Where's this coming from?'

'We met him earlier when we were on lunch. Jacob saw him from the window and gave chase. He confronted him in an alley and he told him who he was.'

'What was his name?' Barnes asked, grabbing a pen and paper. 'I'll do a background check.'

'He said it was Dan,' she told him.

'Leave it with me,' he said, as she rose to her feet.

Ally left the office and headed for the briefing room to prep for the interview. She wanted to know if their theory about Jack Roberts was true. Barnes began to panic, worried about the lies he was keeping would come back to bite him later.

Jacob remained at his desk, wondering why all of a sudden his uncle wanted to get in contact. Does he want to meet because my father's not in the way? he