Page 27 of Once Broken
A flicker of something—guilt, perhaps, or defensiveness—crossed Gillian’s features.“We were close, yes.But Veronica was...protective of her mother’s legacy.There were aspects of Roberta’s life that Veronica preferred not to discuss, even with friends.”
“But you knew about the HUAC testimony?”Riley pressed.
Gillian nodded slowly.“Yes.Not in detail, but I knew it existed.Veronica mentioned it once, years ago, after too many glasses of wine.She said it was the one part of her mother’s life that caused her any shame.”
“Did she mention who Roberta named in her testimony?”Ann Marie asked.
“No,” Gillian replied, shaking her head.“Only that it happened, and that Roberta had named ‘colleagues.’Veronica was determined that it never become public knowledge.She said her mother had lived with enough guilt over it; she didn’t want Roberta’s reputation posthumously destroyed by something she’d done out of fear during a terrible time in American history.”
She squinted thoughtfully and said, “But you’ve got Malcolm in custody.Does that mean you’ve caught Veronica’s killer.”
“We’re not sure of that yet,” Ann Marie said.
“Ms.Sinclair,” Riley began, leaning slightly forward, “we have reason to believe that Veronica’s murder might be connected to her mother’s HUAC testimony.The specific method—poisoning her during a re-creation of her mother’s famous death scene—suggests a symbolic connection between mother and daughter.”
Gillian’s expression darkened.“You think someone killed Veronica as revenge for something her mother did seventy years ago?”
“It’s a theory we’re exploring,” Riley confirmed.“Is there anyone still living who might have direct knowledge of Roberta’s testimony?Someone who knew her personally during that period?”
Gillian was silent for a moment, her gaze distant as she sorted through memories.“Most of Roberta’s contemporaries are gone now.But there is one person in Atlanta who knew her well—Diane Kingsley.She was an actress too, though never a star like Roberta.They were close friends during the Hollywood years.”
“Where can we find her?”Ann Marie asked.
“She owns Timeless Threads Boutique, a vintage costume shop in Midtown.Lives in an apartment above the store.”Gillian hesitated, a frown creasing her brow.“But I should warn you—Diane is...fragile.She had a breakdown about forty years ago and left acting entirely.She’s somewhat reclusive now, and occasionally...unstable.”
“Unstable how?”Riley asked.
Gillian searched for the right words.“She lives very much in the past.Sometimes the line between memory and present reality blurs for her.She’s not dangerous, just...eccentric.Veronica was one of the few people who stayed in contact with her, despite the fact that they lived so far apart.”
Riley nodded, making a mental note.“We’d like to speak with her.Do you think you could call ahead, make an introduction?It might be easier for her to talk to us if she knows we’re connected to you.”
“Of course,” Gillian agreed, reaching for her phone.She scrolled through her contacts, then pressed the screen.After a moment, her expression softened.“Diane?It’s Gillian Sinclair...Yes, I know, it’s terrible...I miss her too.”
Riley and Ann Marie waited as Gillian explained their request.They could hear the tinny sound of an enthusiastic voice responding on the other end.
“That’s very kind of you, Diane,” Gillian said into the phone.“They’ll be there soon...Yes, I’ll tell them...Goodbye now.”She ended the call and looked up.“She’s eager to meet you.She says she’ll be glad to help.”
“That sounds promising,” Ann Marie said.
Gillian’s expression remained concerned.“Just...be gentle with her.Diane’s grip on reality can be tenuous sometimes.But she knew Roberta better than almost anyone still living.”
“We’ll be respectful,” Riley assured her.“Can you give us the address?”
Gillian wrote it down on a notepad, tore off the page, and handed it to Riley.“Timeless Threads is on Peachtree Street, in a renovated Victorian house.You can’t miss it—there’s a mannequin dressed in a replica of Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz costume in the front window.”
Riley pocketed the address.“Thank you for your help, Ms.Sinclair.We’ll keep you updated on any developments.”
As they rose to leave, Gillian remained seated, her expression troubled.“Agents?If Veronica was killed because of something her mother did...does that mean other people might be in danger?”
Riley considered her response carefully.“We don’t know yet.But if you think of anyone else connected to Roberta who might be at risk, please let us know immediately.”
Gillian nodded, her shoulders tense.“I will.And please...find whoever did this.Veronica deserved better.”
Outside, as they walked back to their car, Ann Marie broke the silence.“So, our next stop is a reclusive former actress who might be mentally unstable but knows secrets about Roberta Rimes that ‘the world needs to know.’“
“Should be interesting,” Riley replied as they approached the car.
It could be more than that, she thought.
