Conviction: Book 3 of the Detective Ryan Series by Andrew Hess Read Free Book Online

the last year of my life was a series of traumatic experiences.
    The rest of our lunch consisted of avoiding another discussion about Rodney’s case, and tip-toeing around the Detective Thornton situation. I didn’t know how to handle either situation, and right now didn’t seem to be a good time.
    An hour and a half later, we returned to the house. Something felt off the moment I stepped out of the car. Instinctively, I reached for my glock, finding nothing clipped to my side.
    “What’s the matter?” Amanda asked.
    I held a finger to my lips inching closer to the front door. I knew I was freaking my sister out, but I needed to be sure we were alone.
    Unlocking the door, I slowly pushed my way in. “Ulster County Police Department,” I called out. There was no response, not that I really expected one. Grabbing the first heavy thing I could find, I swept the living room and bathroom. Nothing seemed out of place as I rounded the corner to the kitchen. Just as I was about to give Amanda the all clear, I saw something red leaning against the pillows in the bedroom.
    Entering the room, I grabbed a handful of tissues before going near the small bouquet of roses. The stems were tucked under the top of the comforter. The rose buds were just beginning to open against the pillows I slept on. Carefully plucking the card from the center, I read the little note that was left for me to find.
    Dearest Ali;
    The last year has been fun. You’ve played your part so well in my games. So why not play one more? WINNER TAKES ALL
    I dropped the card on the bed and rushed to the front door, grabbing my glock along the way. Thankfully, Amanda was safe inside the car. There was a look of worry on her face. The passenger side door opened as she slowly stepped out of the car.
    “Ali, what’s wrong? What happened?”
    I quickly stepped towards her, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. I watched the street for any sign of trouble and kept the safety off my gun.
    “Pack your stuff, we need to go.”
    “Why? What happened?”
    Dragging her inside the house, I shut the door. “He was here.”
    “Who was?”
    “The man that took you seven months ago. The man that threw me off the Mid-Hudson Bridge.”
    “Ali, you shot him. You killed him. How is he back?”
    “I don’t think DeFalco was the man behind all of it. I think he had a partner, and that person has been stalking me.”
    “Are you sure?”
    I dragged Amanda to the bedroom and let her see the roses for herself. I forced her to read the card, letting the words sink in. “This isn’t the first time he’s left roses for me. He left them in my car and at the precinct a few weeks ago.”
    “You need to call James and Lieutenant Esposito.”
    “I know, but first we need to pack.”
    “And go where, Ali?”
    “Anywhere but here.”
    I grabbed my bag and started shoving clothes inside it. Amanda slipped out of the room and returned twenty minutes later with two men at her side. One was a five-foot-five Cuban man with graying hair. The other was Mr. James “Suave” Thornton with his slicked back hair and khaki pants.
    “Ali, what the hell are you doing?” James asked.
    “For your information, I’m packing. I assume Amanda called you guys and told you what happened.”
    “Good thing she did.” I chose to ignore him as James attempted to plead for me to listen to him. Instead, I focused on what I thought I needed to do.
    “Detective Ryan,” the nasally, loud, annoying voice of Lieutenant Esposito said. It stopped me abruptly. “You know better than to break protocol. Those flowers are part of an ongoing investigation.”
    “What investigation, Lieu?”
    “You were attacked months ago. Your sister was kidnapped. You’ve received notes from this person several times, and there was an unexplained murder in your house. Now we can protect you…”
    “It doesn’t matter,” I snapped. “He finds me no matter where I go or where I stay.”
    “That’s not the Ali Ryan I