Chapter 5 Revealed

Revealed Shadows

Emma found a parcel at her door the following morning. She took it up, her name in exquisite handwriting scrawled across the front, and scowled. Hands a little shaky, she carried it inside and set it down on the kitchen counter.

Julian came out of the hallway, a worried crease on his brow. Was it?

Emma paused, then tore the box open. One picture appeared inside, a quick glimpse of Emma and Julian exiting the courtroom following their district attorney meeting.

Julian fixed his jaw and studied the picture. Isabella got this in what way?

Emma was thinking of so many things. Speaking little above a whisper, she added, "She must have been watching us." "She knew precisely where we were."

Julian said with a darker look. "Everything is different now. We must presume she has been keeping an eye on us the entire time.

Emma nodded, realizing how far Isabella could reach. There must be caution. She might attack right now.

Emma gave Laura Mitchell the photo when they saw her at her office after calling her. Laura looked it over, worry creased on her brow. "Isabella is playing mind games with you," Laura added, her voice low. She intends to agitate you.

Julian clenched his hands, resentment boiling under. Straining his voice, he said, "It's working." But she can't reach us.

With unflinching support, Laura nodded and looked Emma in the eyes. Staying concentrated is important. There is proof against her with us. Just a compelling argument needs to be made.

Emma and Julian spent the next several days carefully going over their evidence and honing their trial plan. They assembled their testimony, spoke with witnesses, and went over financial data.

Emma got a call one day as she was heading out of Laura's office from an unidentified number. After a moment, she answered warily.

"Emma Parker," a well-known gravelly voice stated, "you think you're so smart. Yet you are blind to what lies ahead.

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

Emma, you made a mistake, the voice said, icy calm. You are playing a hazardous game if you believe you can defeat Isabella Harris.

Emma couldn't say anything because the phone cut off quick. Her thoughts whirling with anxiety and doubt, she stood motionless on the pavement. 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. The individual that called me before was the same one. 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. In a hardly audible murmur, 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.

Low and threatening, "Emma," murmured a voice. "We need to talk."

Isabella Harris was there, victory and resentment shining in her eyes.

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

Emma confronted Isabella Harris in the poorly lighted living room, transfixed, the flashlight quivering in her grasp. 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. You found us, how? 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.

Emma found a parcel at her door the following morning. She took it up, her name in exquisite handwriting scrawled across the front, and scowled. Hands a little shaky, she carried it inside and set it down on the kitchen counter.

Julian came out of the hallway, a worried crease on his brow. Was it?

Emma paused, then tore the box open. One picture appeared inside, a quick glimpse of Emma and Julian exiting the courtroom following their district attorney meeting.

Julian fixed his jaw and studied the picture. Isabella got this in what way?

Emma was thinking of so many things. Speaking little above a whisper, she added, "She must have been watching us." "She knew precisely where we were."

Julian said with a darker look. "Everything is different now. We must presume she has been keeping an eye on us the entire time.

Emma nodded, realizing how far Isabella could reach. There must be caution. She might attack right now.

Emma gave Laura Mitchell the photo when they saw her at her office after calling her. Laura looked it over, worry creased on her brow. "Isabella is playing mind games with you," Laura added, her voice low. She intends to agitate you.

Julian clenched his hands, resentment boiling under. Straining his voice, he said, "It's working." But she can't reach us.

With unflinching support, Laura nodded and looked Emma in the eyes. Staying concentrated is important. There is proof against her with us. Just a compelling argument needs to be made.