Within the Shadows

by J. D MCG

  'I'm going to move the operation over to counter-terrorism and I want your team in with us,' Hemmings offered. 'I've already spoken to your Superintendent and she's agreed.'

  'No problem,' he replied, leaning back in his chair while Hemmings left.

  Giving it a minute, Barnes got on his feet and opened the door to the hustle and bustle. He got his team’s attention, clicked his fingers and pointed to the briefing room, signalling a private meeting.

  Once they had all entered, Barnes shut out the noise before he brought the news to their attention.

  'Hemmings is moving the investigation to his counter-terrorism unit and we've all been cleared by the Super to join him.'

  'But sir, we've got our case to close,' Sarah voiced her concern.

  'I know, but this is classed as our case and who better to be included than the people who know the suspects and all aspects of the case,' Barnes replied.

  'I'm not sure about this, boss,' Ally raised her thoughts.

  'Well, we're a part of this now, so there's no more room for discussion.'

  'I found something just before you called this meeting, sir,' Ethan directed at Barnes.

  'Carry on, DC Robinson,' Barnes said.

  'Well, I was trying to find a connection, as you asked. One thing did pop up. All patients under Natalie Dixon were given an experimental drug to help with their conditions. This drug has more than one chemical that can trigger dissociative identity disorder,' he explained.

  'Do you think Natalie Dixon is the main reason why our suspects have multiple personalities?' Barnes questioned.

  'I believe so,' Ethan replied with certainty.

  'Looks like Natalie's become more the villain than the victim,' Sarah said with a cocky tone.

  'What company created the drug?' Ally asked Ethan.

  'Harrington Labs,' he answered.

  * * *

  Jacob was parked outside his apartment building, debating going to the pub for a drink to suppress his craving or go inside to his family. Minutes passed with still no decision. He knew he shouldn't, but the drink was the one thing that numbed all the pain he'd thought about and been through. His life had become increasingly difficult since his first big case. Becoming a detective was harder than I thought.

  The engine purred as he pondered. A decision was made as he pulled away, looking for the nearest boozer. The craving had grown stronger as he drove around until his eyes caught hold of a bright sign for a local pub. Jacob found somewhere to park and bolted out of the car as fast as he could.

  Upon entering the pub, he strolled to the bar and ordered a pint of lager, hoping it would stop the craving and calm him down. He started to shake as he lifted the glass, then the lager touched his lips, calming him. Seconds later, the glass was empty and he ordered another. Memories of his old life came flooding back while he gulped the second pint down. His childhood, his mother, his father and their happy life as a family. But that's all in the past, he thought. Another empty glass sat on the bar as he shouted for a third.

  'Slow down, mate,' the barman said.

  'Mind your own business,' Jacob replied nastily, while the barman pulled another pint for him.

  Jacob paused. He noticed his behaviour and apologised before suddenly heading for the exit. The fresh air hit his burning hot face and he placed his bum on the edge of the curb. What's happening to me? He cried. He'd hit rock bottom at a rapid pace. The night they'd arrived at Alex Baker's home to find him dead and Belle sobbing in the bedroom appeared in his thoughts. It was as if someone somewhere was trying to give him a reason to carry on and get past the difficult times. He helped Belle after that night, giving her a reason to live.

  'I can do this,' he said as he pulled himself up onto his stumbling legs. Jacob's phone suddenly began to buzz. 'Hello,' he answered.

  'Jacob, it's Ally. I've got some news. Can we talk?'

  'Can you pick me up? I'm on Steelhouse Lane.'

  'Sure. I'll be there soon,' she agreed and hung up the phone.

  Twenty minutes later, Ally arrived and Jacob got inside the car.

  'Have you been drinking again?' she asked, smelling the booze on his breath.

  'Yes,' he hung his head in shame.

  'You need help, Jacob. If not for yourself or me, then for Kate and Belle. They need you.'

  He nodded and Ally sped off. The car was silent for a minute. Jacob rubbed his forehead upset, knowing how silly he'd been.

  'What did you want to talk about?' Jacob cut through the awkward silence.

  'The team’s been moved to counter-terrorism to help with the case,' she started.

  'Why?'

  'Hemmings thinks we'd be better off using their resources.'

  'But this is our case.'

  'I know, but he'd already gone behind Barnes' back and spoke to the DSI,' she explained.

  'What an arsehole,' Jacob lost his tongue.

  'That's not even the best bit,' she carried on. 'Ethan discovered that Natalie Dixon treated all our suspects with an experimental drug that has ingredients which can bring on dissociative identity disorder.'

  'Do you think this could affect our case when it goes to court?' he asked.

  'Maybe. They might even plead insanity anyway.'

  'Is anybody looking into the company Natalie had gotten these drugs from?'

  'Ethan's trying to get in contact.'

  'Has there been any other cases of these drugs triggering dissociative identity disorder?'

  'Possibly. Sarah and Brian are on that case,' she informed him.

  'Do we know the name of the company?' he asked.

  'Harrington Labs,' she answered.

  The car returned to silence as Jacob's facial expression changed. Ally turned her attention off the road for a split second to see why he'd gone quiet.

  'Is everything alright?' she asked, concerned after seeing a shocked look on his face.

  'You said Harrington Labs?' he repeated.

  'Yes.'

  'Pull the car over.'

  Ally followed his order and he jumped out of the car at lightning speed. His mind was racing all over the place. Harrington Labs. My uncle’s business is involved in my case. I need to tell Dan. Jacob removed his phone from his pocket.

  'Dan, I've got some information,' he said as his uncle answered. 'It's about Harrington Labs.'

  'Who are you talking to?' Ally asked as she exited her car.

  Jacob placed his finger against his lips, telling her to be quiet. 'Meet me at the station and I'll tell you what I know,' he said before hanging up.

  'Who were you talking to?' Ally demanded an answer.

  'My uncle. I'll tell you and the others everything when we get back to the station.'

  * * *

  The team grouped into the briefing room with Jacob's uncle, Dan, sat with them. Everyone wondered what was going on as they took their seats around the table. Jacob stood up front, ready to explain what he knew about Harrington Labs and his family’s history.

  'Why are we all here, Jacob? We've got work to do,' Sarah piped up in her cocky tone of voice.

  'It's about this experimental drug and Harrington Labs.'

  'Please enlighten us,' Barnes said.

  'Harrington Labs was created by my great grandfather and is now in the hands of my uncle,' he started to explain before everyone turned their heads to look at Dan. 'No, not that uncle.'

  'My other brother,' Dan took over. 'My mother had triplets, myself, John and Malcolm. I never knew my father. He went missing before we were born. My mother gave birth to us at my grandfather’s house. He took Malcolm away as he was first born, then she had me and John and my grandmother hid us from him. My mother managed to escape, with help from my grandmother and our mother kept us hidden from them. Once my grandfather died, Malcolm became the sole heir to his fortune, including Harrington Labs and to this day, he has no idea that I e
xist.'

  'So, your brother is the head of Harrington Labs? I still don't know what this has to do with the case,' Sarah said.

  'Does anybody remember where Ava Lewis' parents worked?' Jacob asked.

  Ally answered, 'Harrington Labs?'

  'Yes. And her parents worked with someone else's mother...,' he continued.

  'Lily's,' Barnes replied with surprise. 'Two cases which are kind of connected. How weird.'

  'Now this part is going to sound strange, but if you look into the history of Harrington Labs, you'll find missing people cases dating back years. I think Lily was telling the truth about her mother. I think my uncle and Harrington Labs had something to do with her disappearance.'

  'Should we bring Hemmings up to speed?' Ally turned to Barnes.

  'Not just yet. Let’s see what else we find first,' he said.

  'What hospital did Natalie Dixon work at?' Jacob asked out of curiosity.

  'Birmingham City,' Ally answered. 'Why?'

  'Mia Clarke was a nurse...' Jacob walked out of the room and marched to his desk, logged onto the computer, staying in his thoughts. Everyone followed him over and crowded around him. 'Mia Clarke was a nurse at the same hospital Natalie Dixon treated her patients. Mia also murdered Will Shepard inside that hospital.'

  Every member of the team seemed surprised at the revelation.

  'Jacob, if you don't mind suspending your holiday for the time being and diving straight back in? We could really do with your help on this,' Barnes asked.

  'No problem, sir,' he smiled, happy to be back in the saddle.

  'Can you and Ally head to the hospital and ask around about Natalie Dixon and Mia Clarke? We need to know if they were friendly and see if there is a connection between both cases, or if it's a coincidence,' Barnes continued.

  They both nodded and left with their coats on as Dan followed them out. He pulled Jacob to one side.

  'Have you made your decision yet?'

  'Not yet, but I'll keep you in the loop. Common courtesy,' Jacob smiled and patted his uncle on the top of his arm.

  Chapter 24

  Ally parked her car outside Birmingham City Hospital. Jacob sprung out of the passenger seat and proceeded to the entrance. He was in his own world with thoughts spinning around inside his head, forgetting he'd left Ally behind.

  'Wait up!' she shouted.

  'Sorry, Ally,' he snapped back to reality. 'I was somewhere else.'

  'Figured,' she smiled, trying to grasp some breath back.

  Once inside the reception area, the pair approached the desk, flashed their badges and asked to see Natalie Dixon's office. They were chauffeured by Daksha, a nurse who knew both Natalie and Mia.

  'Here it is,' Daksha said as she opened Natalie's office door.

  'Thank you, Daksha,' Ally said as they walked in.

  'Would you mind staying around for a minute?' Jacob asked her. 'We've got a few questions to ask you.'

  'No problem.'

  'Did you know Natalie and Mia well?' Jacob began questioning her.

  'We weren't friends. I spoke to them both a few times but that was about it. I can't believe Mia was involved in murdering all those women. She seemed so nice.'

  'Did Mia and Natalie ever speak? Were they friends?' Ally asked as she searched Natalie's desk.

  'They spoke a lot, sometimes about patients. I don't know if they were friends but they definitely spent a lot of time together,' answered Daksha.

  'Do you know if they ever met outside of work?' Jacob continued questioning her.

  'Probably. I can't recall.'

  'Was there anyone else they spoke to a lot?' Ally switched back to asking the questions.

  'What is this about? Was Natalie involved in Mia's murders?' Daksha asked.

  'We believe it may have something to do with Natalie's murder and our current investigation,' Jacob informed her.

  'Oh my God,' she said, shocked about what they'd told her.

  Ally continued digging around Natalie's office with her latex gloves covering her hands. Jacob placed his notepad and pen back inside his pocket, whacked on his gloves and helped Ally in the search.

  After a few minutes, they gave up. They couldn't find a single shred of anything that could help them. Ally ripped the gloves off her hands with frustration.

  'Thank you, Daksha,' Jacob said as he pulled his gloves off and followed Ally out of the office. 'You seem a little angry.'

  'Frustrated more than anything, mate,' she replied. 'I thought maybe we'd find something, but we've found absolutely nothing.' Ally turned back to Daksha, wanting to ask another question that sprung to mind. 'Sorry, I've got another question to ask.'

  'Fire away.'

  'Does the hospital have a contract with Harrington Labs to trial patients on experimental drugs?'

  'No. All that sort of thing needs to go through the appropriate chain,' she explained.

  'Thank you. If we need anything more we'll contact you,' Ally shook her hand before catching up with Jacob. 'Looks like doctor Natalie Dixon was giving out experimental drugs off the books.'

  'So, she had a secret contract with Harrington Labs? If she got caught she'd have lost her job,' Jacob said.

  'Would've been better than losing her life,' Ally replied, lifting her eyebrows at him.

  'If I were a doctor with a secret stash of drugs, I wouldn't hide them here,' Jacob spoke his thoughts.

  * * *

  It turned 8.43 pm when Jacob and Ally arrived at Natalie's home. Crime tape still stuck to her door as Ally ripped through it, opening the door and entering the property. They both wore their latex gloves and searched through the entire house. Drawers were being emptied and contents rifled across the room. They didn't know what exactly they were looking for but hoped they'd find something in relation to Harrington Labs and the secret meds.

  'Find anything?' Jacob shouted to Ally from the dining room.

  'Not yet,' she yelled back from Natalie's office.

  Ally pulled out the filing cabinet drawer and flicked through the files of paperwork, each with a labelled tab. She stopped when she noticed the file named Harrington and removed the contents inside. It was a contract with Natalie's name at the top, explaining their agreement in which she'd give the trial of the drug to certain categories of patients. She was paid a sum of £10,000 for each subject and their results. The bottom was signed by Malcolm Harrington.

  'I've got something,' Ally bellowed.

  Jacob came rushing in. 'What is it?'

  'It's a contact between Malcolm Harrington and Natalie. It explains how he'd pay her £10,000 for each person she'd given the drug to and their result of how they were affected,' she explained. 'If this isn't enough evidence to pay your uncle a visit, then I don't know what is.'

  'Dan did say he was not to be trusted. How could he risk putting these people's lives in danger?'

  'Greed? Control? There are many reasons companies do these sorts of things, Jacob. It doesn't mean it's right though.'

  'I'll call Barnes and let him know,' Jacob insisted. He left the room and called DCI Barnes. 'Hi, boss. We've found a contract between Natalie and Malcolm Harrington explaining their agreement and her payment. Can Ethan dig through Natalie Dixon's financial records to see how many payments were made from Harrington Labs?'

  'I'll get him on it right away,' Barnes replied. 'Are you guys going to pay Malcolm Harrington a visit?'

  'When we've wrapped things up here,' Jacob explained.

  'Okay. Keep me updated.'

  Jacob placed the phone back inside his coat pocket while Ally stood beside him clutching an evidence bag with the contract inside.

  'Think we'd better get this to the station and visit Harrington Labs in the morning,' she said.

  'Good idea,' he replied. 'Though, I do think we should pay Mr Harrington a visit tonight.'

  Once they sat inside Ally's For
d Mondeo, Jacob called his uncle to inform him of their findings as he'd promised.

  'Dan, we found something at Natalie's house.'

  'What did you find?' he asked Jacob.

  'A contract binding Natalie to give Harrington Labs information on her patients she'd trialled the drugs on. The offer was £10,000 for each patient report. We visited the hospital and they have no contract with Harrington Labs which means Doctor Dixon was doing illegal activities off the books,' Jacob explained.

  'The problem is, why is Harrington Labs interested in certain patients with different conditions that can cause dissociative identity disorder?'

  'That's something I hope Malcolm can answer.'

  * * *

  Malcolm Harrington drove through the gates of his home and onto his drive, parking right outside his house. Opening his front door, he was greeted by his wife. The walls were incredibly tall, giving the hallway a high ceiling with a grand staircase in the middle.

  'Good evening, honey,' she greeted him as he stepped one foot through the door, holding a glass of bourbon whiskey.

  He grabbed the glass from her, smiled and necked it back. 'It's good to be home. Dinner smells good,' he said, sniffing the air.

  'It'll be ready soon,' she replied before walking back into the kitchen.

  Malcolm strolled across the large, grand hallway, and over towards his study. He slowly and quietly closed the doors behind him, trying not to make too much noise. He sat at his expensive oak desk and relaxed in his comfortable leather chair. He placed the empty whiskey glass on the desk, closed his eyes and released a sigh. It had been an exhausting day at work and the investors of Harrington Labs were making his life incredibly difficult.

  'Dinner's ready,' his wife, Janet, shouted from the kitchen.

  When Malcolm entered the dining room, his wife and son, Aaron, were already sitting at the long, elegant dining table. Food placed neatly in the middle in different dishes and bowls, letting them serve themselves. Malcolm sat at the head of the table like always.