Page 36 of Once Broken
“What did you find, Detective?”Ann Marie asked, her voice calm.
“Hartley’s been running an extortion racket through the dark web,” Hayes replied, satisfaction evident in his tone.“Under a pseudonym, of course.He’s been targeting wealthy individuals with compromising information—affairs, financial irregularities, you name it.The operation is sophisticated and has been active for at least six years.”
Riley frowned, absorbing this new information.“Excellent work,” she told him.“But you believe this connects to Veronica’s murder?”
“It absolutely does,” Hayes insisted.“The man’s a blackmailer who had a documented obsession with Veronica Slate.When she recognized him at the event, she became a threat.Classic motive—she could expose him, ruin everything he’d built.”
Riley exchanged a glance with Ann Marie, reading the same skepticism in her partner’s expression that she felt herself.
“We’ll have him in the next twenty-four hours,” Hayes continued, his confidence unwavering.“The extortion charges alone are enough to hold him indefinitely while we build the murder case.I wouldn’t be surprised if he confesses once he realizes how much we have on him.”
“Detective,” Riley said carefully, “Hartley’s dark web activities do help explain why he ran when we approached him at the Silver Screen Café.I don’t think that he was fleeing because he murdered Veronica—he was running because he had illegal operations that could send him to prison regardless.”
“What’s the difference?”Hayes countered.“A guilty man ran.We caught him.Now we’ve found evidence of criminal activity that establishes a pattern of behavior consistent with someone capable of murder.”
“The difference,” Riley explained, “is that extortion and murder are different crimes with different motives.Running an anonymous blackmail operation requires secrecy and distance.Murdering someone in a highly theatrical, public manner suggests different psychological drivers.”
Hayes’ sigh crackled through the speaker.“I understand that you have to take the BAU approach, Agent Paige, but sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.Hartley hated Veronica Slate, had access to the studio where she was killed, and had a history of criminal behavior.That’s a good case in my book.”
Riley persisted.“We just met with Diane Kingsley.She was close friends with Roberta Rimes and knows about her testimony before HUAC.She’s convinced—and frankly, so are we—that Veronica’s murder is connected to that testimony.”
“You mean that testimony from seventy years ago?”Hayes’ voice dripped with skepticism.
“Yes,” Riley confirmed.“The killer made use of the re-creation of Roberta’s famous death scene fromThe Night Walker—the same film that made her a star just before she testified.That’s not coincidental.And remember the phrase on Hartley’s bulletin board: ‘Like mother, like daughter.’Hartley is probably not alone in harboring that sentiment.Whoever the killer is, he is drawing a direct connection between Veronica and her mother’s actions.”
The silence that followed suggested Hayes was at least considering her point.Then he asked, “And how does this theory explain Hartley’s involvement?”
“It doesn’t necessarily,” Ann Marie interjected.“But as a film historian researching Roberta Rimes, Hartley might know details about her testimony that aren’t public knowledge—specifically, which names she gave to the committee.”
“We’d like to interview him again,” Riley added.“Focus on what he knows about the HUAC testimony rather than his personal grudge against Veronica.If he can tell us which Hollywood figures Roberta named, we might identify who would have motive for revenge after all these years—or whose family might.”
Hayes’ response was immediate and firm.“No.Absolutely not.I’ve indulged this federal involvement out of respect, but I’m not going to let you derail my investigation now with speculative theories about ancient history.”
“Detective—” Riley began.
“I’ve made my decision, Agent Paige,” Hayes cut her off.“Malcolm Hartley is our prime suspect for Veronica Slate’s murder.The dark web operations only strengthen that case.As the lead investigator, I’m instructing you and Agent Esmer to stand down on this unless I specifically request your assistance.Is that clear?”
The authority in his voice was unmistakable.Though the BAU had been invited to consult, the case remained under Atlanta PD jurisdiction.Hayes had every right to limit their involvement and to bring charges as he saw fit.
“Crystal clear, Detective,” Riley replied, her tone professional despite her frustration.“We’ll await further instructions.”
“Good.I’ll update you if anything significant develops.”With that, Hayes ended the call, leaving Riley and Ann Marie in silence punctuated only by the soft hum of the car’s engine.
Ann Marie was the first to speak.“Well, that went well.”
Riley tossed her phone onto the dashboard with more force than necessary.“He’s fixated on Hartley and missing the bigger picture.”
“To be fair,” Ann Marie offered, “the dark web extortion is compelling evidence of criminal behavior.Most detectives would focus on that.”
“Most detectives aren’t dealing with a murder carried out in the re-creation of a seventy-year-old film scene,” Riley countered.“That couldn’t have been easy to carry off.What would be the point of using that setting if it meant nothing to the killer?Hartley may be guilty of plenty, but I don’t think he killed Veronica Slate.”
Ann Marie checked her watch.“So what now?Hayes made it pretty clear he wants us to back off.”
Riley started the car, its engine coming to life with a gentle rumble.“Now we find somewhere to eat, check into those hotel rooms Meredith arranged, and reassess in the morning.Hayes might come around once he’s had time to think.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
Riley pulled away from the curb, merging into the light evening traffic.“Then we decide how far we’re willing to push jurisdictional boundaries to prevent another murder—because I’m convinced there will be one if we don’t solve this quickly.”
