Page 46 of Once Broken
Their conversation was interrupted by the buzzing of Riley’s phone.Detective Hayes’ name flashed on the screen.Riley answered, putting it on speaker so Ann Marie could hear.
“Paige?Esmer?We’re all set up at headquarters,” Hayes said, with what sounded like reluctant acceptance.“Hartley and his lawyer, Marcus Ewing, are waiting in the interrogation room.Ewing’s making noise about cutting some kind of deal.”
“We’re on our way,” Riley replied.“Ten minutes, tops.”
“Make it five if you can,” Hayes said before disconnecting.
Riley tossed some bills on the table, enough to cover their meal and a generous tip.“Let’s go.I want to see what Hartley knows about these films and Roberta’s testimony.”
As they hurried to the car, Ann Marie continued scrolling through her phone.“There’s something else,” she said as Riley pulled away from the curb.“According to this article,The Broken Window’s most notorious scene—the murder in the projection booth—was considered unusually violent for its time.Some critics speculated it reflected the director’s personal bitterness about something.”
“Or someone,” Riley added, accelerating through a yellow light.
The Atlanta Police Headquarters loomed ahead, its modern glass façade reflecting the morning sunlight.Riley parked in a space marked for official visitors, and they hurried inside, badges ready.The desk sergeant recognized them immediately, directing them to the interrogation room without the usual visitor protocols.
They found Hayes waiting outside the door, his posture tense, shoulders hunched.“Ewing’s demanding a deal before Hartley answers any questions about the murders,” he said by way of greeting.“Says his client will plead to the extortion charges in exchange for our recommendation for leniency.”
“And you’re considering it?”Ann Marie asked, sounding surprised.
Hayes ran a hand over the stubble on his jaw.“The way I see it, I don’t have much choice.Two murders in as many days, both staged like scenes from old movies.And there could be more if we don’t move quickly.”He looked directly at Riley.“You were right about the HUAC connection.If Hartley has information that could help us prevent another death, I’m willing to push for reduced charges on the extortion.”
Riley nodded, recognizing the professional cost this concession represented for Hayes.“Let’s hear what he has to say before committing to anything formal.”
Hayes pushed open the door into the interrogation room.Hartley sat at the bolted-down table, his scholarly appearance somewhat diminished by the standard-issue orange jumpsuit.Marcus sat beside him with the confident ease of an expensive defense attorney, his tailored suit and precisely knotted tie forming a stark contrast to his client’s institutional attire.
“Agent Paige, Agent Esmer,” Ewing greeted them with professional cordiality as they entered.“I understand you have questions for my client regarding matters unrelated to the charges currently pending against him.”
“That’s right,” Riley confirmed, taking a seat across from Hartley.Ann Marie settled beside her, pulling out a notebook.“In addition to the murder of Veronica Slate, we’re also investigating the murder of Crystal Keene late last night.”
Ewing chuckled.“Well, we can be sure he didn’t kill Crystal Keene.He was in his cell at the time.”
“That’s correct,” Hayes put in.“But we’ve got him cold on the extortion charges.And that’s where the deal comes into play.”
Ewing folded his hands on the table.“Before we proceed, I want to be clear about the terms.My client possesses information that may be relevant to your investigation.In exchange for this cooperation, we expect consideration regarding the severity of charges related to his other activities.”
Hayes leaned against the wall, arms crossed.“We can recommend leniency to the prosecutor, but I can’t make binding promises.”
“That’s not good enough,” Ewing countered smoothly.“We need written assurance that the extortion charges will be reduced to a lesser offense, with a sentencing recommendation of no more than five years.”
Riley watched Malcolm Hartley throughout this exchange.The man’s eyes, magnified slightly by his wire-rimmed glasses, darted between the speakers with an intensity that suggested more than mere self-interest.There was an eagerness there, perhaps a desire to share what he knew.
“Mr.Hartley,” she said, ignoring Ewing’s attempted interjection, “two women are dead.Murdered in ways that deliberately echo scenes from old films.I believe there will be more victims if we don’t stop this killer quickly.”
Hartley leaned forward, his restraints clinking against the table edge.“You think it’s connected to Roberta Rimes HUAC testimony, don’t you?”His voice carried the excited cadence of a researcher whose obscure subject has suddenly become relevant.
“Malcolm,” Ewing warned, placing a restraining hand on his client’s arm.“Don’t say anything more until we have an agreement.”
Hayes pushed away from the wall, his patience visibly thinning.“Fine.I’ll put in writing that we’ll recommend charges be reduced to a single count of wire fraud, with a sentencing recommendation of five years.But that’s contingent on the information your client provides actually helping us solve these murders.”
Ewing considered this for a moment, then nodded sharply.“Acceptable.I’ll need that in writing before we leave this room.”
“I’ll have it drafted immediately,” Hayes agreed, gesturing to an officer standing by the door who nodded and left the room.
Riley returned her attention to Hartley.“Who did Roberta Rimes name in her testimony before HUAC in 1955?”
Malcolm’s eyes gleamed behind his glasses, his posture straightening as if he were about to deliver a long-awaited lecture.“She named ten people, all film industry professionals suspected of Communist sympathies or activities.”He recited the names as if he’d memorized them long ago.“Weston Black, director.Eleanor Caldwell, screenwriter.Franz Lazlo, cinematographer.Samuel Fremont, art director.Daniel Greenberg, producer.Edwin Hollister, composer.Patricia Keller, actress.Benjamin Rosen, writer.Harold Steinman, director.George Weiss, producer.”
Riley noticed that Hartley had recited them alphabetically, suggesting he’d studied this list extensively.
