Riley Paige Mystery 20-Once Broken by Pierce Blake

Author:Pierce, Blake [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, American Suspense, Police Procedural, Crime Thriller, Murder Investigation, Cold Case, FBI, Serial Killer
Published: 2025-09-30T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Riley studied Diane’s face, searching for any sign that the woman was deliberately misleading them. The theatrical makeup, the elaborate hairstyle frozen in time like her mannequins downstairs—all of it suggested someone disconnected from reality. Yet beneath the eccentricity, Riley sensed something authentic.

“What do you think Veronica was trying to warn you about?” Ann Marie inquired softly.

“It wasn’t anything concrete,” Diane responded. “Or if it was, I didn’t get the full message. But I’m worried that more people might be in jeopardy.”

Riley realized that Diane genuinely believed she’d received a warning and was eager to keep others out of harm’s way. Even so, that didn’t actually help with the case. They needed more practical information.

“Ms. Kingsley,” she began,” do you know a man named Malcolm Hartley? He works as head of security at Magnolia Gateway Films.”

Diane’s silver brows drew together, creating fine creases in her carefully applied foundation. “Malcolm Hartley?” She rolled the name on her tongue as if tasting an unfamiliar dish. “No, I don’t believe so. Should I?”

“He was obsessed with Veronica—or more specifically, with exposing information about Roberta’s HUAC testimony,” Ann Marie explained. “He had a bulletin board in his office covered with defaced photos of Veronica.”

“How dreadful,” Diane murmured, her hand fluttering to her throat. “But no, the name means nothing to me. Like I said, I rarely leave this place. My world has grown smaller over the years—by choice, I might add.” Her gaze drifted toward the window again, then back to her visitors. “Why would this man matter?”

Riley noted how quickly Diane had dismissed the topic of Malcolm Hartley. Either she truly didn’t know him, or she was an exceptional actress—which, given her background, remained a possibility.

Ann Marie leaned forward slightly, her expression softening. “Ms. Kingsley, could you tell us more about your friendship with Roberta? You mentioned she was your mentor.”

The question transformed Diane. Her posture straightened, her eyes brightened, and a genuine smile replaced the anxious expression she’d worn moments before.

“Roberta was…” She paused, searching for the right words. “She was extraordinary. Not just as an actress—though heaven knows she was brilliant on screen—but as a human being. We met on the set of Autumn Shadows in 1971. I was twenty-three, just a wardrobe assistant with delusions of becoming an actress someday.”

Diane rose and moved to a small cabinet in the corner. She opened it to reveal dozens of photo albums, carefully labeled and arranged by year. She selected one and brought it back to her seat.

“Here,” she said, opening the album to reveal photographs of a much younger Diane standing beside Roberta Rimes on what appeared to be a film set. “Roberta took me under her wing. She insisted I read for small parts, coached me through auditions, and introduced me to directors and producers.”

Riley examined the photographs as Diane turned the pages. In each image, the younger Diane looked at Roberta with undisguised adoration.

“I had some success—nothing like Roberta’s, of course, but enough to keep working. Until 1983.” Diane’s voice dropped.

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