Thank you for joining us on The Writers Revolution. This week we are celebrating the release of Conviction (book 3 of the Detective Ryan Series). Today is the release and release party. Join us each day as we bring you more from the Detective Ryan Series, including teasers, reviews, and even an excerpt.
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What would you do if your whole world just shattered into tiny pieces? Most would curl up and hide from the world, but Detective Ali Ryan wasn’t most people. After suffering the lethal combination of heartbreak, betrayal and death, Ali must find the will to pick up the pieces and solve the biggest case of her life. With the lives of her loved ones at stake, Ali will do everything to uncover the truth. And the question everyone has been dying to know will be answered; WHO IS THE PUPPET MASTER?
Sitting in the
confines of his pitch black office, the man the police once labeled as the
Puppet Master pulled out a wrinkled piece of paper from the cold metal desk. He
clicked on the light and stared at the names crossed off with red marker. Four
names remained on the list, but when his eyes found Matthew Alvarado, he merely
laughed while inking out another name.
Tucking the paper
away, he took his suit jacket and exited the room. The T.V. in the bedroom
could be heard down the hall as they announced the funeral for latest victim of
his manipulation. The evil grin was unmistakable as he looked in the mirror. He
remembered the carnage from a week earlier as Matthew’s body was wheeled out of
Detective Ali Ryan’s home. The blood soaked, white sheet was secured around the
deceased, keeping from the public’s view.
Much deserved, he thought. At least you won’t get in my way of killing her again. His hands
gripped the black tie and tugged it tightly at the memory of his foiled attempt
to drown Detective Ryan only few months prior. He would have to settle for
seeing the devastation in her eyes as she watched the man she loved get lowered
six-feet beneath the ground. The thought calmed his anger long enough to fix
his tie.
He arrived at the
funeral. There were so many people there, blending in was easy. There were so
many grieving men and women there, no one would think twice about questioning
who he was. He slipped into a chair without drawing attention to himself. There
would be no master plan, no attacks or murders. He was there to watch Ali
Ryan’s spirit get crushed beneath his brilliance.
Matthew’s family
naturally stood at the front, welcoming everyone as they paid their respects. A
large group of people walked by, making it increasingly difficult to hear
anyone approaching. At the tail end of the group were three people whose names
were inscribed on his list.
The man bringing up
the rear was the most recent addition. Detective James Thornton, the man who
was so full of himself he believes he’s god’s gift to women. The man had a
habit of getting what he wanted and leaving a trail of broken hearts behind. In
front of him stood Amanda Ryan, Ali’s sister. Her coal black hair and thin body’s
appearance made her look anorexic compared to the rest of her friends and
family.
The sick smile
returned to his face, remembering six months earlier knocking her onto the
train tracks at the Poughkeepsie Train Station. As much as he would have loved
to watch her death eat away at Detective Ryan, he was happier to see Amanda’s
boyfriend jump down to save her. The unfortunate bastard never had a chance. He
saved the girl only to be crushed by the inbound train. Amanda’s cries for help
may have alerted others to her impending abduction, but failed to stop him from
escaping with her. Taking her captive was the perfect way to cut Ali deep
enough to make her snap. There was never an intention to kill Amanda, she was
the bait to lure the police away from Ali’s pursuit of Nick DeFalco. The plan
worked to perfection as Ali pulled the trigger, killing his little protégé.
DeFalco wasn’t considered
a big loss. He was viewed as a necessary expenditure, a loose end that couldn’t
be left for the police to interrogate. If they arrested and questioned DeFalco,
they would know he had an accomplice.
The Puppet Master’s
eyes moved to Detective Ali Ryan. She looked stunning in the black dress her
sister picked out for her. It showed off her curvaceous body, but maintained
the class she wanted to show as she hugged the mother of her deceased
boyfriend. The tears ran down her reddened cheeks. It was a sight he wanted to
savor. She was a pure emotional wreck and the man sitting three rows from her
was to blame.
If only you knew the truth Ali, he thought. He watched the ceremony proceed
without a hitch. Then it was time for those closest to the deceased to add a
rose to the top of the casket. He watched as Matthew’s mother and brothers
gently tossed the roses into the grave, landing on top of the box. A high
pitched wail came from Mrs. Alvarado as turned away. Her sons grabbed her arms
and directed her back to their seats. More of their family huddled around her
after depositing their roses on the casket.
The Puppet Master
searched his cold, black heart for any sign of remorse. Sympathy and empathy
went out the window long ago. The pain Mrs. Alvarado felt was one he knew all
too well, but wouldn’t allow that tragedy to get the better of him when he was
so close to reaching his ultimate goal, to kill Ali Ryan.
Once the family paid
their respects, they brought Mrs. Alvarado to the side, hoping it would help to
calm her down. Then Ali and her sister approached with their new bodyguard. The
sisters stood in front of the old woman and cried in each other’s arms.
Before he could lose
himself in savoring the moment, the procession line of people paying their
respects moved to his row. He was obligated to participate. If he didn’t, he
would start to stick out. Getting up with the rest of his row, the Puppet
Master collected the rose and approached the grave.
“Don’t worry,” he
whispered. “I’ll make sure you are with Ali again very soon.” He dropped the
rose and started to walk back to his car. With one last look, he saw a tall,
husky man moved with a purpose towards Ali as she left Mrs. Alvarado. Now this should be interesting.
Detective Thornton
jumped between Ali and her now former partner, Detective Rodney Johnson. There
was nothing but anger and hatred burning in Ali’s eyes. The Puppet Master believed
if Ali were given the chance, she would murder Rodney in cold blood.
“Listen,” Rodney
shouted. “I didn’t pull the trigger.”
That was not the
response the Puppet Master thought he would hear. He thought Rodney would beg
for forgiveness or for Ali to help him prove his innocence.
He wanted to listen
to their conversation, but knew if he got too close, they would turn their
attention to him instead of where he wanted it diverted to.
Turning his back to
the group, the Puppet Master walked back to his car, hearing Rodney shout, “You
think I’d bash my own head in to cover up an accidental shooting?”
Rodney must have found some way to prove he
was attacked. If he has enough evidence, he’ll be cleared of the shooting and
my plan will be over.
The Puppet Master
jumped in his car and pulled away slowly, continuing with his role as a
grieving friend or co-worker. Once he pulled up to a stoplight, his fist
connected with the steering wheel.
“I’m done waiting.
She needs to die.” He looked up at the light with the evil smile. “Ready or
not; I’m coming for you, Detective Ali Ryan.
If we've piqued your interest, be sure to pick up a copy of the third book in the Detective Ryan Series, Conviction
https://www.amazon.com/Conviction-Book-3-Detective-Ryan-ebook/dp/B01FSV8AI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466019901&sr=8-1&keywords=conviction+andrew+hess
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