THE ALTER: A Psychological Crime Thriller by EJ Nesbeth

fact that the monster inside him had to be destroyed at any personal cost.
    The crowd slowly re-assembled around the body, no longer interested in hearing the mayor’s empty promises. All hopes had just gone up in smoke and nothing the mayor said could console or re-assure them. They were in shock and had reason to mourn. They had cause for dread, and no one could convince them otherwise.
                  Ava stood dazed as she looked out at the architectural horizon. She wondered who Ryan really was and what conflicted being would orchestrate such chaos, but still try to save. All she was left with was a memory of one so timid and innocent, and struggled to rationalize it with the savage she now knew. She watched the smoke rise into the air and wondered where he was and what darkness he now combated. Perhaps she should have listened to him and taken the shot, she thought. Little did she realize what would have been the real cost of saving Ryan.

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    The airwaves ignited with endless streams of reports and speculations about the recent act of terrorism, with the syndicate being the prime suspect. Ryan, knowing very well the truth, was plagued with guilt. Despite his remorse and shame, he mustered up the courage to call Ava. He needed an end to this madness and she was the only one he could turn to. Reluctantly Ava agreed, but she had a plan of her own. It was a difficult decision to make, whether to spare the bad to save the good, or let the good suffer with the bad. She cared about Ryan, but had to neutralize his destructive other. Sacrifices had to be made.
    It was nightfall and an old, inconspicuous car pulled up onto the deck of the derelict dock beside a wall of old, empty freight containers. No one traversed this area without special reason. Even those with a need for privacy and concealment sought better options. The car stopped several feet away facing Ava’s, and its headlights flashed three times.
    Ava stepped out of her car and walked up to meet Ryan who had not yet exited his. As she neared, the driver’s door opened and an unexpected large figure stepped out. Ava came to an abrupt halt.
    “Mr. Mayor, what are you doing here?” she said, frightened and anxious. She looked around then noted his transformed image. His apparel was worn and ordinary, and blended in a lot better than the ostentatious attire he usually wore.
    He slammed the car door shut and stepped along the corridor beside the large containers. Ava took a step backwards. 
    “I know you didn’t expect to see me, but I just had to thank you for what you did. You saved my life and the lives of countless others yesterday. Well, maybe except that little girl,” he said, ending in a sarcastic tone.
    Ava remained silent. She listened carefully and watched his every move.
    “I know you’re wondering how I knew where to find you and the whole headlight signal thing, but like you I have eyes and ears in places you wouldn’t believe. But what I want to know is how you knew about that bomb. Let me guess, Ryan told you,” he said with a contemptuous emphasis on his name. “By the way, in case you didn’t know, you sent him a text message two hour ago cancelling this meeting. Just in case you were wondering where he was,” he revealed.
    “Makes me wonder about the kind of relationship you both have, the things you both share,” he said stepping even closer towards her. “Speaking of which,” he said retrieving and waving a transparent plastic bag containing Bret’s phone. Ava skipped a breath.
    “You know, Bret Mitchell was very useful to me until he started over-estimating his importance. He began making demands and tried to blackmail me. Said he recorded a deal between me and Alverez, but it’s not here.”
    Ava grew even more nervous and each step the mayor made tempted her to run in the opposite direction.
    “I have big plans for this city. Plans for which I have sacrificed a lot, including my own wife. But you