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

'What is it, DS Wright?'

'Boss, I've been thinking about what you said. I know it's not a good time with what's going on right now but...'

'Jacob, you can have some leave. With everything that's happened in your life, your dad's death, my disappearance, you stuck by the team. Now you need to sort your life out, go and sort it. We'll be fine,' he comforted him.

Jacob replied with a smile as he rose to his feet and left. Walking to his desk, he grabbed his coat and left without saying a word. Ally and Ethan lifted their heads from their work and watched Jacob stroll out of the station.

'Where's he going?' Ethan asked Ally.

'To get some answers,' she replied.

Chapter 22

Jacob arrived outside his apartment. Worrying if Kate was inside, he slowly opened the door. Hearing talking and laughter, he thought Kate and Belle had made up but got a shock as he entered to see a strange man sat opposite Kate.

'Oh, Jacob. I didn't think you'd be home yet,' Kate said surprised as she turned her head to see who was entering.

'Who's this?' he asked, worrying about the answer.

'This is my father, Craig Ross.'

'Nice to meet you,' Craig said, holding out his hand for Jacob to shake it.

Jacob ignored him and looked at Kate. 'What's he doing here?'

Craig sat back down quietly and upset.

'He's my Dad, Jacob. You can't just ignore him and hope he'll go away,' she yelled.

'I know who he is and I don't want him in my home,' he shouted back.

'Look, I'm not here to tear you away from one another. I just want to get to know my little girl. I've already lost out on so much of her life because of my wrongdoing. ' He turned his eyes to Kate. 'I'm going to go. I'll see you soon.'

'Okay,' she replied.

Craig walked to the door before turning back to Jacob. 'It was nice to meet you, Jacob. Thanks for looking after my girl.'

Kate shut the door behind him, then gave her brother an angry glare. 'How dare you!' she continued yelling.

'How dare I? This is my place, Kate, and if I don't want him here then you should respect my wishes,' he continued the shouting match.

She huffed before going inside her bedroom and slamming the door behind her. Jacob headed to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass. He calmed down once he'd taken a sip. Belle walked in as he released a sigh.

'Is everything alright?' she asked.

'No. I don't think it'll ever be alright,' Jacob started to break down.

'What happened?'

'She brought him here.'

'Her dad?'

'Yes.'

'What happened?' she asked.

'Not much. He left without a fuss.' Belle grabbed the whiskey bottle from his hands and grabbed herself a glass. 'What do you think you're doing?'

'Drowning my sorrows,' Belle explained.

'What sorrows?'

'All of this. I'm fed up with it all.'

'Me too, and now I'm told that Lily wants to see me,' he explained.

'And are you going to?'

'I have so many questions about everything, but I don't want to see her. She hurt me, Belle. I can never forgive her for what she's done, so if it's forgiveness she wants, she won't find any from me.'

No words were spoken, they just stood in the kitchen with nothing but their thoughts and whiskey glasses.

'How's it going with Ben?' Jacob broke the silence.

'Great. He makes me so happy.'

'I'm glad. Seems like your life is on the up,' Jacob smiled.

'I know and it's all because of your kindness,' she replied the smile.

She kissed Jacob on the cheek before making her way to her bedroom. Jacob remained in the kitchen, sad and alone, before deciding it was also time for him to go to bed. He had a big day ahead of him, full of questions and hopefully some answers. He lay his head on the pillow and drifted off quickly.

The station was flooded with officers, making Barnes feel overwhelmed and needing some fresh air. He swung his coat over his back and placed his arms through before leaving his office.

'Where are you going, sir,' Ally questioned as she watched him leave with his coat on.

'Just stepping out to get some fresh air,' Barnes answered as he left the CID.

Once he made it out to the car park, Barnes felt the cold nights breeze against his skin. His warm breath released, creating a cloud of smoke. A chill made him shiver as he glanced up to the sky.

Ally stood alongside him. 'What's on your mind?'

'Everything,' Barnes smiled.

Ally chuckled. They both stood silent for a moment, not knowing what the future was going to hold.

'It's been a strange couple of cases. Witches, Horsemen of the apocalypse, are we ever going to have any normal cases?' Ally said.

'I do hope so,' he replied. 'I'm getting a bit fed up of this supernatural crap.'

Ally laughed. 'So you do believe they could be telling the truth?'

'Maybe. I don't know. It all sounds a bit crazy.' There was another slight pause of silence before Barnes turned to walk back inside. 'Think we should get back to work.'

Ally followed him back inside the bustling station. No new information had been found, neither did they have any new phone calls from Esther. Officers were trying their hardest, backtracking the horsemen's last movements. Barnes entered his office, shut his blinds and removed the bottle of vodka from his drawer. After taking a swig, Barnes took a deep breath and took another mouthful. His life had gotten crazy and become a living nightmare the more he thought about their cases. Witches and Possession? I must be going mad.

Jacob woke the next morning, had breakfast, showered and hit the road to visit