Page 37 of Once Broken
Somewhere in Atlanta, Riley believed, someone was executing a plan of vengeance that had been decades in the making—and Malcolm Hartley’s dark web activities, while criminal, were merely a distraction from the real danger still unfolding.
***
Later that evening, Riley viewed the generic comfort of her hotel room—crisp white sheets, abstract watercolor prints on beige walls, the faint hum of the air conditioning system that never quite reached the perfect temperature.She perched on the edge of the king-sized bed, laptop balanced on her knees as she waited for the video call to connect.The screen flickered, then filled with three separate windows: Bill’s steady gaze from their living room at home, Jilly sprawled across the couch beside him, and April in her dorm room, the walls painted in what residence life probably called “sunshine yellow.”
“Can everyone see and hear each other?”Bill asked, his voice slightly tinny through Riley’s laptop speakers.
“I can see you all,” April confirmed, adjusting her camera.She looked tired, Riley noted with a pang of concern.
“All good here,” Jilly chimed in, flashing a peace sign at the camera.Her casual posture couldn’t quite mask the tension in her shoulders, a detail that didn’t escape Riley’s notice.
“I’m here,” Riley said, forcing warmth into her voice despite the worry gnawing at her insides.“How’s everything at home?”
“Quiet,” Bill replied.“I’ve been working with campus security at Jefferson Bell.They’ve increased patrols around April’s dorm and classroom buildings.”
“And I’ve been taking all of Sergeant Bill’s orders too,” Jilly said with a theatrical salute.“No going anywhere alone, no predictable routines, constant vigilance.”
Riley nodded, grateful for Jilly’s attempt to lighten the mood while still acknowledging the seriousness of their situation.She shifted her attention to April, studying her daughter’s face carefully.
“April, I’ve been thinking,” Riley began, choosing her words deliberately.“Maybe it would be best if you came home for a while.Just until we locate Leo and resolve this situation.”
April’s expression shifted immediately from tired to defiant.“Mom, no.I’m not abandoning my classes three weeks into my first semester.”
“You wouldn’t be abandoning them,” Riley countered.“Most of your professors offer remote options now.You could keep up with the work from home.”
“It’s not the same and you know it,” April said, her jaw set in a way that reminded Riley startlingly of herself.“Besides, if I leave, he wins.He disrupts my life, makes me afraid to live it on my terms.I won’t give him that power.”
Riley recognized the determination in her daughter’s voice—the same stubborn resolve that had carried Riley through her own darkest moments.Pride mingled with frustration, creating a knot of emotion in her chest.
“April’s right,” Bill interjected gently.“Running might seem safer, but it can become its own kind of prison.We’ve put solid precautions in place.She’s being smart about her movements, and campus security is aware of the situation.”
Riley sighed, relenting.“Okay.But I want regular check-ins, and you stick to the safety protocols we discussed.”
“I will,” April promised, her expression softening.“I’m being careful, Mom.I promise.”
“Let’s go over everything again,” Bill suggested.“For both girls.”He straightened in his chair.“Always be aware of your surroundings.No headphones while walking alone.Vary your routes and schedules when possible.”
“Carry your phone at all times, fully charged,” Riley added.“And keep the emergency SOS feature enabled.”
Jilly held up her phone.“Already programmed to call both of you plus 911 if I press the side button five times.”
“And you both have the photo I sent of Leo Dillard?”Bill asked.
April nodded.“Downloaded to my phone.I’ve shown it to my roommate and friends too, so they know to alert me if they see him.”
“I have it memorized,” Jilly said, her usual bravado momentarily slipping to reveal genuine concern.“I couldn’t forget that face now if I tried.”
“Remember that he could use some kind of disguise, Bill warned.“A cap, sunglasses, a hoodie …”
“Got it,” April interrupted.
“Me too,” Jilly added.
Riley felt a twist of guilt at involving her younger daughter in this vigilance, at bringing danger once again into the lives of her children.Yet she knew that awareness was their best defense against any calculated pursuit.
“The most important thing is to trust your instincts,” Riley emphasized.“If something feels wrong, if you think you’re being watched, don’t second-guess yourself.Move to a safe, public place immediately and call for help.”
“We know, Mom,” April said, not unkindly.“You’ve trained us well.”
