Within the Shadows by J.D MCG (knowledgeable books to read .txt) 📕

the corner, looking to get a clear aim of Lily, but no joy. He could hear the sound of footsteps approaching the door to the left of him before the door flung open and an army of police stormed through the house.

'Armed police!' the first officer shouted. 'Put your weapon down and surrender yourself.'

All Barnes could see in the lounge, was two arms held in the air with empty hands. Lily removed herself slowly from behind the sofa and into the open area of the lounge.

'Get down on the floor with your arms above your head,' the officer continued to shout his instructions.

Lily did as she was instructed and lay on the floor as the officer cuffed her hands together and removed her from the house. Barnes rushed over to his ex-wife who lay unconscious on the floor.

'I'm so sorry,' he sobbed.

Two paramedics came rushing in and moved Barnes out of the way, before trying to save her life. Ally hugged Barnes, not knowing what to say. Once they released from their hug, Joe ran upstairs to his daughter’s room.

'You can both come out now, my brave little soldiers,' he said softly with his arms wide open.

April and Bonnie came rushing out of their closet and into their father’s open arms. The three of them stayed hugging for minutes, crying their hearts out.

'It's okay now girls. Daddy's here.'

It had been a long and hard night for the team, but finally, they had Lily in custody, and it was all over.

Chapter 11

Belle ate her breakfast like she did most mornings before leaving for work. The weather was slightly chilly, but the sun peeped out from behind the clouds on occasion.

She couldn't help but think about Ben. They spent the whole night texting one another, staying up until the early hours of the morning. She felt incredibly happy. Her life was back on track. No more worrying about where she was going to be sleeping each night or where her next meal was coming from. Her life had changed for the better.

On the commute to work, she noticed a strange man had been following her from outside the apartment. She had never seen the man before and wondered what he wanted from her. She picked up the pace, trying to speed up, not being that far from her destination. But he was gaining on her. She turned the corner but as she did, she noticed the man began to jog before placing his hand on her shoulder.

'Hey, I need to talk to you.'

Belle gasped out of fright, pulling herself away from the strange man. He took a step back as he noticed the scared look upon her face.

'It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you, Kate,' he explained, not realising he was talking to the wrong person.

'My names not Kate. I think you've got the wrong person.'

The man looked shocked. 'I'm so sorry. I just seen you come out of the same building.'

'That's okay,' she replied, wanting to get away.

'You don't know Kate Wright, do you?' he asked.

Not knowing what the man wanted from Kate, she decided to lie. 'No, I don't. Sorry.'

Belle scurried away as fast as she could. What does he want with Kate? Who is this man? She had arrived at work. Another long day ahead of her before she could get any answers about the mystery man.

The light shone through Jacob's eyelids. He opened his eyes slowly, trying his best to get a glimpse of his surroundings, but the light was too strong. He tried to move his arms to cover his eyes, but couldn't. Something was restraining them tight. His head was pounding from the smack he received from Jack Roberts.

After a few minutes, his eyes were completely open and inspecting his surroundings. Jacob was strapped to a chair with duct tape and rope, trapped inside the same room he asked Mr Roberts questions in the night before.

No sounds could be heard, not even quiet footsteps pacing the room next door. It was dead silent. Only the sound of the early morning birds tweeting in the trees outside could be heard. Jacob tried to call for help, but his throat was dry and his voice raspy from the lack of fluids.

Where is Jack Roberts? he asked himself. I need to get out of here. Jacob tried to pull at the duct tape surrounding his wrists. The robe hugged his chest and the remaining duct tape cuffed his ankles to the chair legs. Glancing around trying to find anything that could help him escape, he noticed a piece of folded paper on the cabinet beside him.

He continued trying to tear the tape that bound his wrists the best he could. Jacob knew he was in trouble and if Jack didn't come back, he'd be stranded here with no one knowing where he'd gone. He cried for help again, this time his voice was clear and vocal. He yelled at the top of his lungs, just enough for a neighbour to hear.

Ally arrived at the station after a long night. The place was quiet and untouched since the night. Lily was taken to a holding cell awaiting her interview of questions. Ally needed to prepare, but this was the part where she needed her partner in on the interview. She couldn't involve him now. He was too involved in this case along with Barnes, so she was on her own and in need of a new partner to help.

Sarah suddenly burst through the doors as if she had a feeling Ally needed her help. Ally was inside the briefing room staring at the photos on the investigation board. Everything they had on Lily was hanging right in front of her and now they had her in custody. She