Page 39 of Her Hidden Shadow

‘Jacob? We’ve all been so worried about you.’ For the first time ever, her colleague and friend looked distant, unkempt, and there was a smell about him. He obviously hadn’t showered. The creased hooded sweater hung down over his loose jeans.

Jacob stood still and leaned against the wall. He went to open his mouth but couldn’t speak.

‘Jacob, come through to my office. We can talk there.’ He didn’t acknowledge what she was saying. He flinched as she placed a hand on his elbow and carefully led him out.

He didn’t object. He simply followed her. In all their years of knowing each other, she’d never seen him looking so broken. She knew that Jennifer was staying in Bernard’s spare room and that something major had happened between the couple. ‘Have a seat. Can I get you a drink?’ He looked like he needed something stronger than coffee.

He shook his head.

‘I heard that Jennifer is staying in Bernard’s spare room. I’m so sorry. You must be devastated.’

She saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. ‘I love her so much, guv, but she doesn’t want me. With all that happened after she got run over and lost the baby; things have never been the same. She said she wasn’t sure anymore, about us. I’ve tried so hard to keep us together, to plan the wedding on my own and to be there for her.’ He wiped his damp eyes and took a deep breath as he tried to hold his emotions back. ‘We finished just before Christmas, but I didn’t want to say anything at work. I hoped that she’d come round, and that it was just a blip. We tried sharing the house, but we’d bicker, then she moved in temporarily with Bernard and she hasn’t come home since. We decided not to say anything to anyone for the time being and again I hoped that she’d come back, but now she wants to sell the house.’

‘I wish you’d confided in me, Jacob. We’re friends and you know I’m always here for you. We’ve missed you. Tell me you’re not leaving. You love this job.’

He shrugged. ‘I do love this job. I have loved every minute of working here, with you and everyone else.’

‘Loved, what are you talking about? We need you on the case. Like I said, we miss you.’

He swallowed again. ‘I’ve blown it, guv. I’ve literally blown everything.’

‘It wasn’t your fault. Trauma can affect people differently and what Jennifer went through with the hit-and-run was awful. Losing the baby was a blow to both of you and I can’t imagine what you’ve both suffered. You can get through this. Maybe Jennifer just needs a bit more space to process everything.’

‘Maybe, but once done, some things cannot be undone. We can’t go back.’ His voice became raised. ‘There is no going back.’

‘I don’t understand.’ What he was saying didn’t make any sense. She knew Jacob loved Jennifer to bits, but she’d also seen the end of previous relationships he’d had, and he’d never been this bad.

‘I’m really in it and I don’t know what to do.’ He ran his shaky fingers through his hair.

Something told Gina there was more to it than a regular split. ‘What is it, Jacob? Please talk to me. I want to help you, but I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.’ She tilted her head.

He took a deep breath. ‘I met someone else. Well, sort of.’

‘Okay.’ That wasn’t what she’d expected to hear but she wasn’t about to judge him.

‘I dated her years ago, when I was in my twenties, she was nineteen at the time. I didn’t intend for anything to happen. She was being harassed, and I tried to get her to report him, but she wouldn’t. Anyway, I met up with her a few times over the Christmas period and after. We became good friends, that was all.’

‘It’s okay to want to help someone.’

‘I slept with her, and it shouldn’t have happened. We’re not in love or anything like that. It was a huge mistake. We were just a bit lonely. All I wanted was for Jennifer to take me back and, as for her, I’m not sure what she wanted. Maybe she was hoping that we could be more. She did want more, and I didn’t. I was so confused.’

Gina studied his pale face. ‘Please don’t beat yourself up about it. We all make mistakes. You didn’t cheat on Jennifer, she left you.’

‘I know all that.’

‘So why are you so worried? I’m seriously beyond concerned for you right now and I say that with love. You look like you haven’t eaten or slept.’

‘I haven’t. Because every time I close my eyes, I see her.’

‘The woman you slept with?’ Gina felt her own nerves twitching as Jacob fidgeted.

‘I have a confession to make.’

Gina felt her heart rate increasing.

‘On Saturday, I slept with Sienna Moorcroft. It only happened that once. I have no alibi for the whole day. I should have said something when we got called out early Sunday morning, but I was in shock, guv. I didn’t expect to see Sienna’s dead body in that bed. It’s like that whole day was a blur.’ He broke down. ‘I know you’ll have to read me my rights next. I know my DNA is in her and on her so it’s only a matter of time before what I say is confirmed, but I swear on my life, I didn’t kill her. You have to help me, guv.’

Gina’s heart sunk. She stood and stared out of her window at the car park. She spotted Jacob’s black saloon, and it was splashed with mud at the rear. She knew now that the case was going to get bigger than Cleevesford Police. Jacob would be held on suspicion of murder at another police station with no connection to them. Even if bailed post interview, he’d be suspended from duty and, given the current climate, the press would be all over them if his arrest was leaked. She glanced back at Jacob who was staring into thin air.

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