Chapter 4 Dance With Shadows

Dance With Shadows

Emma was still in the dimly lighted living room, her flashlight beam quivering as it revealed Isabella's menacing grin. With just a whisper, Emma said, "Isabella, what do you want?"

With her heels clicking on the hardwood floor, Isabella moved forward. Emma, what is properly yours is what I want. And I'm here to see that I get it.

Julian came out of the corridor looking both worried and angry. Isabella, you have to go. We got proof against you.

Isabella laughed, a sound that was not funny. Julian, I am well aware of all of your evidence. I am present for that reason. To do up the loose ends.

Emma thought through their choices, her mind racing. They were down and Isabella was dangerous. Isabella, you think you can terrify us?

With a wave of her hand, Isabella shut her off. Not to terrify you, Emma. Here to complete the task I began.

Isabella sprang forward with that, aiming a punch at Julian. Though Isabella moved quickly and with purpose, he avoided. Emma swung a lamp from close at Isabella, who grinned and avoided the impact.

Can you really stop me? Isabella laughed sarcastically. Nothing at all like you.

With Isabella blocking their only route out, Emma and Julian withdrew toward the kitchen, her heart hammering. Emma urged Julian in a whisper, "We have to get out of here."

Julian nodded, his gaze scuttling the space for any weapon. Isabella moved steadily forward, staring them down like a creature snatching its meal.

Outside, sirens sounded abruptly. Eyes narrowing, Isabella froze. Hissing, she turned to face Emma and Julian and said, "You phoned the cops. Nothing is finished here.

With that, Emma and Julian were left speechless and in awe as Isabella raced for the broken window and vanished into the night.

Several uniformed policemen followed Laura Mitchell into the apartment moments afterward. How are you two doing? With her eyes sweeping the room for any indication of impending danger, Laura inquired.

Julian shaking hands, nodded. Isabella was in this room. She charged us.

Laura scowled, worry-filled wrinkles on her forehead. The region will be searched. Here, in safety, stay.

With her head spinning after the experience, Emma collapsed onto the couch. Isabella was very near to killing them both. Emma understood they should not relax even though they had managed to flee this time.

Emma called Lisa Reynolds to let her know what had transpired while the cops were searching the flat and gathering proof. Lisa committed to moving their case against Isabella along quickly and to seek a restraining order against her.

Emma and Julian waited for word from Laura for hours. Exhaustion and worry were taking the place of the exhilaration from the confrontation.

Laura was not looking good when she got back. Frustrated, she continued, "Isabella's gone." Nowhere close to us could we discover her.

Julian locked his jaw, his fists tightened. Until she's ruined us, she won't stop.

Emma nodded, seeing what Isabella may do next rushing through her head. Though they were getting closer than ever to bringing her down, she always seemed to elude them.

Emma added, "We have to keep pushing forward," her voice resolute. She cannot win, we cannot let her to.

With unflinching support, Laura nodded and looked Emma in the eyes. Until Isabella and her cronies are in jail, we won't stop.

The following three days were spent by Emma and Julian getting ready for Isabella's trial. Together with Laura and the district attorney's office, they visited with witnesses, went over the evidence.

Emma got a call from an unidentified number one day as she was leaving the courthouse following a meeting with the DA. After a moment, she answered warily.

"Emma Parker," a well-known gravelly voice stated, "you're making a mistake."

Emma was a frigid person. "This is who?"

The voice went on, icy calm, "You think you've won, but you have no idea what's coming." "We are unstoppable. Everywhere is us.

Emma was not allowed to answer before the call abruptly ended. Fear and uncertainty whirling in her head, she stood motionless on the courtroom steps. The enigmatic caller was who, and what did they want with her?

A few moments later Julian discovered her, worry written all over his face. How are you, Emma?

Emma's voice quivering, she handed him her phone. After Isabella attacked us, the same person called me. Our case is known to them.

Julian fixed his jaw. "We need to exercise caution. The friends of Isabella are still out there and will not think twice about pursuing us.

In quiet, they went back to Emma's flat, each engrossed in their own thoughts. All they had labored for was threatened to be destroyed by the shadow of peril.

Emma had the uneasy sensation that someone was watching her as she lay in bed that evening. Her thoughts whirling with questions and worries, she gazed up at the ceiling. Ever really safe?

It was quiet until glass broke. Heart thumping, Emma sat up. Less than a whisper, she cried out, "Julian?"

Answered nothing. Emma took a flashlight and stepped gingerly into the living room. Underfoot, broken glass crunched as she looked about the space. There was chaos in the flat and a broken window.

Julian, Panic building in her chest, Emma cried out once again.

She heard something in the corridor. She turned, a figure standing in the shadows illuminated by the flashlight beam.

"We need to talk," a low, threatening voice whispered. "Emma."

Isabella Harris, her eyes shining with victory and resentment, it was.

Emma confronted her adversary once more, her hands shaking. Once more discovered, Isabella had them at her mercy.

Emma looked across at Isabella Harris in the poorly lighted living room, her heart pounding. With her icy, calculated eyes, Isabella was oppressive. What do you want, Emma asked, her voice unwavering in spite of the terror rushing through her veins.

A nasty twist of her lips, Isabella smirked. Emma dear, let me to kindly remind you that this is far from done. Hardly at all.

Julian moved ahead, a furious knot in his jaw. You mean what, Isabella? The motions are out of you.

Emma felt thrills run down her spine when Isabella laughed. Julian, oh. Though you believe you have me cornered, you are unaware of my potential.

The last time they saw Isabella, the shattered glass, and her nighttime escape whirled through Emma's head. What brought you to us? With exasperation in her voice, Emma demanded.

Isabella grinned wider now, a predatory glitter in her eyes. Emma, I have my methods, all right. There are others with links besides you.

Julian looked at Isabella, his fingers tight at his sides. Games are enough, Isabella. Want what?

Isabella's face darkened, a perilous sparkle in her eyes. I want the accusations against me to be dropped.

Disbelief rushing through Emma, she laughed. Just drop the accusations? With all you've accomplished, now?

Isabella squinted, her voice sombre and low. Emma, you have no idea the battle you are in. You are unable of even beginning to understand the forces at work here.

Emma was shivering as Isabella spoke. Talking about what?

Isabella twisted her lips harshly and smiled again. You will learn in due course.

Isabella turned at that point and headed for the broken window. Emma and Julian were left speechless and in awe once more as she disappeared into the night.

Hurrying to the window, Julian peered down at the street below. His face twisted with rage and frustration, he murmured, "She's gone."

Emma slumped into the couch, the warning from Isabella flashing through her head. Julian, just what did she mean? Just what forces?

Julian moved about the room, his thoughts racing. Not sure, Emma. But we cannot allow her to terrify us. Keep moving forward is what we must do."

Emma nodded, her resolve stoked again. As you say. The proof is in place against her. We cannot permit her threats to terrify us."

They spoke about their case against Isabella and their next moves for the remainder of the evening in Emma's flat. Emma was uneasy, even with their commitment, because of what Isabella had warned her.