Page 19 of Once Broken
Riley stiffened, the details landing like small, precise blows.“Working-class background?Saving for tuition?”
“That’s the story he gave her,” Bill confirmed.“Winters found it completely believable.Said he presented himself as a polite, earnest young man—passionate about political science and eager to learn.The perfect student, basically.”
“It was a lie,” Riley said flatly.“All of it.”
She felt Ann Marie’s questioning gaze but kept her focus on the call.This fabricated identity revealed something disturbing about Leo’s methods—a calculated approach that went beyond simple fixation.
“What do you mean?”Bill asked.
“Leo’s background is in his Academy file,” Riley explained, her voice tight.“I looked into it when I made my complaint against him.His parents are Elizabeth Hollington Dillard and Charles Preston Dillard.The Hollingtons are Georgetown real estate royalty—they own half the historic buildings in the neighborhood.And Charles is senior partner at Lawson and Dillard.”
There was a moment of silence as Bill absorbed this information.“So he’s playing a role,” he said finally.“Creating a false persona to gain sympathy or connection.”
“Or to hide his tracks,” Riley added.“Did April mention anything about Leo describing himself as struggling financially?”
“Yes she did,” Bill replied.“Apparently, he told her he was working in a bookstore and saving up money so he could enroll.”
Riley rubbed her temple, where tension was gathering into the beginnings of a headache.“This makes him more dangerous, Bill.He’s not just obsessed—he’s methodical.Creating false identities, approaching April as a way to get to me...”
“I know,” Bill said grimly.“I’m going to dig deeper into the Dillard family.See if I can find anything useful.”
“Elizabeth Hollington Dillard is a fixture in DC society pages,” Riley told him.“Art museum boards, charity galas—the works.She and Charles live in one of those multi-million-dollar Georgetown townhouses.I remember Leo’s address from his file.”
“You think they know what their son is up to?”
“I have no idea,” Riley admitted.“But they’re our best lead for finding him.Or at least the only one we have right now.”
As they spoke, Riley’s phone notified her of an incoming call.Detective Hayes’ name flashed on the screen.
“Bill, I have to go.Hayes is calling.Keep me updated on anything you find about Leo or his family.”
“Will do.And Riley?Try to focus on the case there.April is safe, and I’m keeping things under control.”
Riley ended the call and immediately answered Hayes’ incoming one, putting it on speaker so Ann Marie could hear.
“Hayes,” she said by way of greeting.“What’s the status with Hartley?”
“We’ve been dealing with his attorney,” Hayes replied, sounding tired.“Marcus Ewing—former federal prosecutor turned defense counsel.Guy’s got a reputation for being meticulous, and he’s living up to it.Been reviewing every detail of what we can and can’t ask Hartley.”
“And?”Riley prompted.
“And he’s finally agreed to let us question his client, but I doubt Ewing will let Hartley say much.He’s already talking about ‘his client’s constitutional rights’ and ‘the prejudicial nature of circumstantial evidence.’“
Riley exchanged glances with Ann Marie.“We’ll be right there.”
“Good.And Agent Paige?This guy Ewing—he’s good.Used to put away criminals for the Justice Department until he had some kind of crisis of conscience.Now he specializes in cases where he thinks the cops have the wrong person.If he’s taken Hartley’s case, he believes in his innocence.”
“Or he’s being well-paid,” Riley countered.
“He’s public defense,” Hayes replied.“Not making a dime more than usual.”
The call ended, and Riley pocketed her phone.“Let’s go,” she said to Ann Marie, already sliding out of the booth.“Sounds like we’re in for an interesting interrogation.”
Ann Marie gathered her bag and followed Riley toward the exit.“So what do you think about Hartley?Innocent or guilty?”
“I think the evidence is circumstantial,” Riley replied, pushing through the door into the warm Atlanta night.“That bulletin board proves he hated Veronica Slate, but hate and murder aren’t the same thing.”
They walked briskly to the sedan that Meredith had arranged for them.As Riley slid behind the wheel, her thoughts toggled between the two cases—Veronica Slate’s theatrical murder and Leo Dillard’s methodical deception.Different crimes, different states, yet they felt connected by the theme of obsession.
