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

Lily in the slammer. His heart pounded as he drove closer to the prison, not wanting to see the woman who lied to him before killing his father. His life would never be the same again because of that woman.

Jacob pulled into the car park and reminisced about their good times together before the memories of the night he found his father dead, came flooding back. His hand clenched tight around the steering wheel. He exited his car with angry thoughts on his mind as he entered the building.

As he approached the entrance, the prison officers did the usual checks before letting him near the inmate. Once that was out of the way, they sat him in an open room while he waited for Lily to enter. His hands were full of sweat as he began to panic.

Minutes passed before she finally entered the room. Her appearance wasn't quite the same as the last time Jacob locked eyes on her. Her hair was messy and her skin pale. She shuffled along with her hands cuffed together for his safety.

'Jacob, it's good to see you,' she greeted him while the officer sat her down.

'I wish I could say the same,' he replied angrily. 'So, what was so important that you wanted to speak to me?'

'I wanted to explain.'

'Explain? You killed my father!' he shouted.

'Because he killed my sister!' she yelled back at him. 'Look, I didn't call you here for a shouting match. I just want you to hear the reasons for my actions.'

'Go ahead then, I'm listening,’ he folded his arms and leant back in his chair.

'As you know, my mother went missing. My sister took care of me when we were younger until that night your father... Well, let's just say that was the night I was put into care. I spent many years trying to find out what happened to my mum, but she found me.'

Jacob leaned in, interested in her story. 'What do you mean she found you?'

'You wouldn't believe me. You'd think I've gone crazy,' she leaned back, turning away from any eye contact with him.

'Try me,' he replied, knowing how crazy his past experiences had been.

'She spoke to me in my dreams, gave me instructions to bring her back.'

Jacob interrupted. 'Back from where?'

'She's trapped somewhere, Jacob. Somewhere she can't get out of.'

'Is that why you had all those women killed?'

Lily released a tear from her eye. 'Yes. I thought it would bring her back, but then she came to me again in my dreams while I was on the run, telling me that wasn't going to bring me back, but the diamonds would.'

'Diamonds?'

'Yes. Barnes knows all about them, which is the reason why I kidnapped him and tortured him, hoping he'd tell me where they were.'

'And did he?'

'Yes.'

'So where are they?'

'Somewhere safe.'

'In evidence?'

'You'd think so, but no. I think you need to ask your boss that question,' she answered.

'Why kill my father? Did he know something more about your mother?'

'He killed my sister. It was nothing more than revenge.'

'But why? He treated you like a daughter. Did that mean nothing to you?'

'I couldn't just let him get away with what he had done just because of my feelings for you.'

'Did you enter our relationship, knowing what you were planning to do to my father?' he asked.

'Yes, but I fell deeply in love with you and still am,' she answered, trying to grab his hand, but he pulled away.

'Then why? You could have just let him live and got over what happened to your sister.'

'You can say that because it's not your family member. If it was the other way around...'

'I wouldn't have killed someone!' he shouted at her again.

'Are you sure about that?'

He stayed silent, thinking about what she'd said. He was so angry and wanted to kill her for what she'd done to him and his family, that he knew she was right. He would’ve killed someone.

'Why the photographs?' he continued to question her.

'What photographs?' She was confused.

'The one's you've been sending to the station and the apartment,' he answered.

'Jacob, I don't know what you're talking about.'

'Don't give me that rubbish.'

'I think you've got another admirer because I didn't send them,' she replied.

Jacob sat quiet, reviewing her answer. If she didn't send them, then who did? Who's been watching me?

'Something wrong?' she asked.

'I'm done here,' Jacob replied, lifting himself off his seat and walking towards the door.

'I'll be seeing you soon, Jacob,' she said calmly as he carried on walking.

Jacob was searched again upon leaving. He exited the building shortly after, entered his car and sighed, not wanting to believe Lily. She must be the one that sent the photos. Jacob started hitting the rim of the steering wheel as hard as he could out of anger. He was so angry, he screamed out loud before he started to cry.

He'd had enough of all the problems he faced. His sister, his ex, and his hidden uncle. Not to mention the crazy case he'd been trying to solve with his team. He was a broken man. Minutes later, Jacob wiped his tears, took a deep breath and started the ignition, driving home with nothing but the thought that someone had been watching his every move.

Upon arriving home, Jacob felt the sudden urge for another drink, not realising Kate was still home. Pouring the whiskey into a glass, he noticed her sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. He grabbed his glass and sat in the armchair beside the sofa, then took a swig from the glass.

'Kate. I'm really sorry about yesterday.' She glanced up from her phone. 'I know you want to get to know your father and I just want you to