Free THE ALTER: A Psychological Crime Thriller by EJ Nesbeth

for us.”
    “Well I certainly hope so,” he said with a smirk. “But as you can see here, one of his men shot the driver then used the same gun to shoot the boss right after Alverez defended himself with his steak knife. The disloyalty is appalling.”
    Ava stared at him, still in awe at his evil but meticulous and fascinating character. Without delay, they drove away.
    After a long drive they stopped on the hillside overlooking the city. There seemed only a few miles between them and the landmarks that towered into the dark, bleaky sky. The rain had subsided and it was breaking dawn with just enough glow behind the clouds.
    “Now I see why Alverez loves this car so much,” Ryan said. He then turned to Ava and gave her directions back to the city along with instructions to stay out of his way.
    Ava reflected on all that she now knew and felt fearful of all that she still did not know about him. Her frustration mounted as she realized how much she was still in the dark. But there was one more thing that she needed to know.
    “So what’s going to happen to Ryan? I know you’ll protect him, but will you let him have his life back?”
    He could see her genuine concern and that she was as protective of Ryan as he was, except with less drastic methods. “Ryan comes from a dark place, but he deserves to return to a better world. I’m going to make sure of that.”
    Ava looked deep into his eyes, searching for the softer person beneath. “Can he hear me now? He heard me when you were…choking me, and he came out.”
    He answered, “I’ve always kept him in the dark when I needed to. Now his emotions are growing stronger and more demanding. He can hear you now and he wants to come out, but I can’t let him. Not yet.”
    Ava leaned closer and searched even deeper into his eyes. She reached out her hand, hesitated then touched his cheek with a gentle stroke. His still eyes moved slightly and he grabbed her hand and flung it away from him. “I said, not yet,” he scolded, then jumped out of the car.
    He whistled in amazement as he threw the car trunk open and located a hidden compartment containing high powered weapons and explosives. Alverez obviously wanted to be ready for any confrontation. Ava was by then staring into the miniature armory and shaking her head in wonder. Ryan helped himself to a few items, filling his coat pockets and a small bag that he had retrieved. He swung it over his shoulder, then retrieved a phone from his pocket and dialed.               “Hey. Yea, we’re good. I have to go,” he said. He hung up the phone and threw it over the hillside.
    Ava looked at him in wonder. She was getting weary of surprises and wondered at the scope of his character. “Who were you talking to?” she asked, but he ignored her, busying himself with his luggage. “Who are you working for- the CIA, FBI?” she persisted, grabbing on to his bag.
    “Don’t ask questions,” he said sharply. He pointed her directions back to the precinct as they overlooked the city from their elevated vantage point. Then he turned and started walking away.
    “Where are you going?” she called out.
    “I told you, I have one more mission to complete,” he said without looking back.
    Ava drew a rifle from the car trunk and aimed it at him. The cranking sound brought him to a standstill.
    “I can’t let you kill the mayor. That’s all gonna be on Ryan,” she said.
    “I’m doing this for Ryan,” he explained with his back still turned.
    “There must be another way. I just can’t let you do this,” she insisted.
    “Then shoot me,” he said.
    After a long pause she lowered the riffle and he stepped off on his trek back to the city.
     

CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
     
    Ava arrived in the city and quickly found her daughter. Concerned colleagues inquired about her well-being and whereabouts, but no one knew just how close she had come to peril. Their questions about Ryan were well anticipated and met with well