Within the Shadows

by J. D MCG

  'So, Aaron, what did you do at school today?' Janet asked him.

  'Nothing much,' he mumbled in teenage fashion.

  Malcolm tucked into his food, trying his best not to delve into the conversation as he didn't want to discuss his difficult day. The three of them sat in silence, eating away at the food on their plates. Once Aaron had finished, he took himself off to his room, leaving Malcolm and Janet alone to finish their meals.

  'I don't know what's gotten into him,' she started to strike a conversation with her husband.

  'He's a teenager. It's what they do.'

  'I know, but he used to be a happy boy. Now he just mopes around the house.'

  'He's got plenty of friends at that school of his. That Kyle kid, for example, they've been friends for years.'

  'I know but I can't help feeling like something is wrong,' she continued.

  Malcolm lifted his body off his chair, grabbed his plate and began to walk into the kitchen. Janet always looked too much into things, finding problems that weren't there. Malcolm strolled back into the dining room and kissed his wife on the cheek.

  'I've got some work to finish,' he informed her.

  Janet sighed. 'You've just got home. Can it not wait until tomorrow?'

  'Nope, I've got the investors on my case again. I've got to get it finished tonight, ready for tomorrow,' he explained.

  Malcolm entered his office again, closing the door behind him. Sitting in his chair, he pulled open the drawer in his desk and removed a Glock. He placed the gun on the desk and started to take deep breaths. He pulled the gun up beneath his chin, his hands shaking and tears rolling down his eyes.

  The doorbell rang, stopping Malcolm from pulling the trigger. He quickly placed the gun back inside the drawer, then slammed it shut as he got off his seat and hurried towards the front door. He stood still for a second before opening it, worried about who was on the other side. I was just about to kill myself, why am I worried? he thought.

  On the other side of the door, stood a man and a lady no older than thirty-five.

  'Mr Malcolm Harrington?' the lady asked.

  'Yes, that's me,' Malcolm answered.

  The lady rummaged through her pockets before placing a police badge in his face. 'Detective Inspector Ally Miller,' she informed him. 'This is DS Wright.'

  'What is this about?' he questioned them.

  'Can we come in? We need to ask you a few questions.'

  He moved out of the way so they could enter. 'We'll talk in my study.'

  Ally and Jacob entered the house, both glancing around at the elegant and spacious hallway.

  Janet shouted from the kitchen, echoing through the hallway. 'Who is it, dear?'

  'Just the police. They've got a few questions to ask me,' he shouted back before closing the doors to his study. 'So, what is this about?' he asked them.

  'What's your involvement with Doctor Natalie Dixon?' Jacob asked, taking a good look at the tall, dark-haired man, whose appearance didn't resemble his father or Dan one bit.

  'She works at Birmingham City Hospital. I've had a few dealings with her, trying to get some of the top dogs at the hospital to use a trial of a drug my company is producing,' he answered.

  'That's not the truth though, is it?' Jacob continued.

  'What's that supposed to mean?' Malcolm shouted at him.

  'What my colleague means is we've found a contract between you and Doctor Dixon, stating that your company will give her £10,000 for each report of her patient’s reaction to the drug you supplied her with,' Ally interrupted.

  'That's absurd!' he continued to shout.

  ‘But it isn’t, sir. What about the missing employee cases your company has had throughout the years?’

  'I'm not saying another word without my solicitor present.'

  'Okay, Mr Harrington. We'll be seeing you again soon,' Ally finished before she and Jacob left the Harrington house.

  How dare they! his inner thoughts shouted. He panicked slightly, knowing it wasn't only the investors he was worried about. The thought of suicide crossed his mind again, but he knew he was too much of a coward to try it again and succeed. He was a man in trouble and not just by the hands of the law.

  Chapter 25

  'Malcolm Harrington denies having known about the contract we found inside Natalie Dixon's home office. He's lawyered up, making it incredibly difficult to speak to him now on the evidence we have,' Jacob informed the team.

  Every member of the team sat around the conference table in the briefing room, listening to the information Jacob was feeding them.

  'Another thing we discovered was that Natalie was good friends with Mia Clarke. We can't be sure of any meetings but that is something we need to look into more,' Ally said.

  'We've found something too,' Sarah started. 'Each of our suspects has been tested and there have been traces of the drug in them, including Jack Roberts. We've also looked into your missing people cases from Harrington Labs and I think you're right, Jacob. Missing people cases dating back over twenty years.'

  'Shit,' Jacob said, shocked about what he'd just heard.

  Ethan started with his information. 'I traipsed through Natalie's financial records like you asked and there were a few payments made by Harrington Labs. Malcolm Harrington is either lying or he knows nothing about the contract and someone else within the company is doing illegal activities.'

  'So, we're dealing with a company that is illegally supplying a doctor with experimental drugs which caused the patients to manifest dissociative identity disorder and has a history of missing employees,' Barnes summed everything up. 'We'll all go home and get some rest and meet back here tomorrow morning. After the last couple of weeks, we could all do with the rest.'

  Everybody got up from their seats and left the room. Barnes walked off into his office as everyone else grabbed their coats from their desks.

  'Any plans for tonight?' Ally questioned Jacob, placing her arms through her coat sleeves.

  'No. Kate's out with her dad and Belle's out with Ben. Might just be a meal for one,' he laughed.

  'How about I cook?' she smiled. 'If you don't mind, that is?'

  Jacob began to stutter, not wanting to say no. 'That'll be great.'

  They both walked out of the office together and got inside the Mondeo. Jacob became nervous, even though he had strong feelings for her. He wanted to express to her how he felt but didn't want to rush because of how his last relationship with Lily turned out.

  * * *

  Opening his apartment door, Jacob got butterflies in his stomach. Ally put the shopping bag on the kitchen counter which was filled with ingredients they'd picked up at the local supermarket beforehand. She started to unload the bag and then started to slice the onions and peppers.

  'Where are your pots and pans?' she asked Jacob as he ripped off his tie.

  'Bottom cupboard to the left of the sink,' he answered. 'I'm just going to get out of these clothes.'

  Ally raised an intrigued eyebrow. 'Oh, yeah.'

  'I'm putting other clothes on,' he laughed.

  As he entered his bedroom, he thought about how comfortable he felt when she was around. Ally made him feel loved and cared for, even though he knew there were others out there that loved him, but not the way that she cared for him.

  After changing his clothes, he re-entered the kitchen to see Ally in full swing. It smells incredible, Jacob thought. She seems to be enjoying herself. Ally decided to put some music on. Her phone blared summer anthems while she danced and stirred the pot of sauce. Jacob chuckled at her as he sat watching from the breakfast bar, but Ally dragged him to his feet and danced with him.

  'Time to let your hair down, DS Wright,' she laughed as she pulled him onto his feet.

  Jacob was reluctant to dance at first but Ally was very persuasive and within minutes, Jacob was dancing along. It was the best fun he'd had since h
e and Belle played crazy golf. The music stopped and between gasping for breaths, they both laughed at the enjoyment they'd both had.

  They gazed at one another. The laughing had stopped and they continued gasping for breath but their eyes continued to lock on to each other. Jacob stepped closer. Time seemed to slow down as the two of them edged closer together. Ally trembled as Jacob stood directly in front of her, gazing into her eyes. His lips leaned in closer to her's before touching in a passionate kiss. Ally had dreamt about this moment for so long, fantasising about him and scenarios like this. He pulled away momentarily, giving her time to breathe.

  'I'm sorry,' he apologised.

  Ally opened her eyes and said softly, 'What for?'

  'For being so intrusive,' he explained.

  Ally said nothing, just looked him in the eyes again before launching her lips on his full throttle. She didn't stop. Ally was in the moment and she took Jacob with her. They'd both longed to be loved and nothing else mattered at that moment. Ally ripped Jacob's t-shirt off after releasing lips for a split second but were back together in a few short seconds.

  'I've only just got changed,' he joked, making Ally chuckle slightly.

  They continued their passionate kiss while manoeuvring themselves to the bedroom, taking off a piece of clothing with every step. As they reached the bed, they'd stripped down to nothing more than their underwear.

  They both took a moment's breath as Ally pushed Jacob on the bed, towering over him. She sat on top of him, kissing his neck while he undone her bra strap, and slowly slid it off from around her shoulders. Everything happened slowly as if the pair of them wanted to savour every moment.

  Jacob pressed his lips against her chest, kissing every inch of her. They felt incredible, forgetting everything in their heated moment of passion.

  * * *

  Barnes knocked on the door. His stomach was fluttering with nerves before Vanessa opened it. She smiled as she noticed him standing in front of her.

  'Joe, it's good to see you. Do you want to come in?'

  'If that's okay? I know it's late but it's been one hell of a month,' he laughed and she did too. 'I just wanted to see the girls.'

  She opened the door wide enough for him to enter. Her affection for him grew stronger since his kidnapping and her being held hostage. She loved him and always did, even through the divorce, but she couldn't keep being second place to his job. She wanted to be a part of his life again but knew he wouldn't give up the job for her.

  Barnes crept upstairs with excitement. The twin girls were fast asleep, but that didn't bother him, he just wanted to see their little faces. Standing over the top of them, fast asleep, made him feel warm inside, forgetting his troubles.

  'Beautiful, aren't they?' Vanessa said, also gazing at their babies.

  'I've missed them so much.'

  'I'm so happy you survived that...'

  'I needed to. I didn't want anything to happen to you and the girls. I needed to stay alive for our family,' he interrupted her.

  'And I'm so glad you did, otherwise, they'd have no mum or dad,' she released a few tears.

  Barnes held her in his arms, still staring at the girls, not wanting to move from this moment. He hoped one day they'd be a family again, living under the same roof, happy and content.

  Vanessa glanced up at Barnes as his grip loosened. Her feet lifted on their tip-toes and she placed her lips on his, shocking Barnes, but that didn't stop him from carrying on. He finally felt like he belonged again. Vanessa started to become more intense and passionate, placing her hands on his cheeks, then around his neck while not losing the connection from his lips. Barnes pulled away, unsure if this was what she truly wanted.

  'What's wrong? Vanessa asked.

  'I just don't want you thinking I'm taking advantage,' he said.

  'This is what I want, Joe. That's if you want it too?'

  It didn't take more than a minute for Barnes to make up his mind and launched back fiercely into another intense kiss, tearing off Vanessa's clothes.

  'Ouch,' she cried out, still trying to kiss him.

  'What is it?' he queried.

  'Still sore from the gunshot wound,' she told him.

  'I'm sorry.'

  'Just shut up and kiss me,' she demanded, locking lips with him again.

  They both stumbled to the bedroom and tumbled onto the bed. Vanessa lay on her back as Barnes removed her trousers. His eyes caught sight of her pink, laced underwear as she lay waiting for him. He lay on top of her, pulling her down her pink underwear and thrust himself inside her. She felt a rush of emotions and pleasure. They both felt a sudden release of all their pain and troubles as they kissed the night away. Barnes was finally back where he belonged, in the arms of his wife.

  * * *

  Sarah sat on the rooftop terrace bar on Frederick Street with her date opposite her. Drinks between them, laughs and jokes flowing, it was safe to say Sarah Taylor had let her hair down. She was having a great time for a change. Her date was a dark-haired girl called Claire, who she'd found through a dating app a few months ago and they clicked straight away.

  'I can't believe the number of times we've been out and I still don't know what you do for work?' said Claire.

  'If I told you, I'd have to kill you,' joked Sarah.

  Claire laughed along. 'No, but seriously, what do you do? You know all about me and I hardly know anything about you.'

  'If you really wanna know, I'm a Detective Sergeant within the police force,' she informed her.

  'You're pulling my leg.'

  'I can assure you, I'm not.'

  'What sort of things do you investigate?' Claire asked intrigued.

  'Murders,' Sarah announced. 'Do you remember the murders of young women last year?'

  'Yes. Did you investigate that case?'

  'With my team, yes.'

  'I heard something about it being ritual cult killings?' Claire fished for more information.

  'I can't say much more about it,' Sarah shut her down.

  'Wow, such an interesting career. I don't think I'd have had the balls to join the police.'

  'It's a hard job but even in the darkest of times, I enjoy it,' she smiled.

  'Well you only get one life, you might as well live it,' Claire returned the smile.

  'I've really enjoyed tonight. I'd love to do this again next week if you're up for it?'

  Claire nodded. 'I've had a good time too. Call me when you're free from your busy schedule,' Claire laughed. 'Do you wanna get out of here?'

  Sarah was cautious, not wanting to miss her chance at happiness, but her past relationships crumbled too fast. Her heart was telling her to jump but her head kept her back. Not knowing which to pick she sat quietly.

  'If you don't want to, then that's fine. I don't want to push you into anything,' Claire continued after noticing Sarah's silence.

  'It's not that I don't want to, I do, but I want to take it slow.'

  Claire smiled while placing her hand on Sarah's. 'That's fine with me. Whatever you want, babe.'

  * * *

  Ethan returned home, hung his coat on the hook in the hallway before swinging the living room door open. His girlfriend sat firmly on the sofa, grasping a mug of tea in her hands.

  'You're home early for a change.'

  'Busy day tomorrow. The boss wanted us to get some rest,' he said, flopping on the sofa beside her.

  'Wanna talk about it?' Ruby asked.

  'Not really,' he answered, tucking himself between her arms for a hug.

  Ruby was a pretty girl with dark hair and a dyed red tint. Ethan fell for Ruby as soon as he saw her at a friend’s party and connected straight away. Ethan had asked her to help him dig into his family's history to try and find his biological parents. He was adopted as a baby and suddenly decided it was the right time to find his birth parents. When he was younger it hadn't bothered h
im, but as he got older, he felt he should know his heritage.

  'I've got something to tell you,' she spoke up.

  Ethan sat up, looked at her and asked, 'What is it?'

  'I think I've found your birth parents,' she announced.

  Ethan was shocked, even though it was what he wanted and asked her to help. His stomach flooded with a sick feeling from nerves and anxiety. He stayed quiet for a couple of seconds.

  'Are you okay?' Ruby asked with concern.

  'Yeah, I just didn't think you'd find them that fast, that's all,' he answered, still shocked at the news. 'What are their names?'

  'Anna and Dean Turner,' she informed him.

  'So, my name would be Ethan Turner,' he pondered.

  Ruby laughed. 'I prefer Detective Constable Ethan Robinson.'

  Ethan gleamed a huge grin before hugging his girlfriend tightly. She was the one good thing he had going in his life. When things became difficult at work, he knew he always had Ruby to come home to. They continued their night watching whatever rubbish was on the TV before heading to bed. How did I ever become so lucky, finding the girl of my dreams? he thought as he followed her to bed.

  Chapter 26

  Jacob stirred and opened his eyes. The bright light from the alarm clock shone 6.20 am in his face. He lay still, watching Ally as she slept perfectly, not wanting the moment to end. It was close to 6.30 am by the time Jacob decided to move. He gently got up, trying not to wake her as she lay fast asleep. He jumped straight into the bathroom, showered, washed and brushed his teeth before sneaking into the kitchen to make her breakfast. He threw some bacon on the frying pan and watched it sizzle while he poured her a fresh cup of coffee.

  By 7.20 am, he opened the bedroom door holding a tray with a full English breakfast, orange juice and a mug of coffee.

  'What did I do to deserve this?' she asked, smiling at him.