Page 13 of Once Vanished
A new shock spread through Riley’s mind.Leo wasn’t just taunting her—he was telegraphing his next move.Deliberately.
“Mend fences with my family.”The words echoed in her mind.This wasn’t just about Riley and Jilly anymore.Leo was planning to visit his parents next.
“Hogue!”she called out, already moving toward the front of the house.“Hogue!”
She found him in the living room, deep in conversation with one of the evidence technicians.He looked up sharply at her approach, noting her expression.
“What is it, Paige?”
Riley thrust the phone toward him.“Leo just sent a message.To Jilly’s phone, but meant for me.He’s targeting his parents next.”
Hogue took the phone, frowning as he read the text.“Could be a misdirect.”
“It’s not,” Riley said with absolute certainty.“I know how he thinks.This is exactly his style—showing us his hand just when we’re powerless to stop him.He wants us scrambling, divided.”
Hogue passed the phone to Mathers, who had appeared at his side.“Can you trace this?”
“I’ll try, but if he’s using a burner or a spoofed number...”Mathers trailed off, already typing rapidly on his tablet.
“We need to contact Charles and Elizabeth Dillard immediately,” Riley insisted.“Get them protection.Now.”
“We will,” Hogue agreed, then gestured to Jilly’s phone still in Mathers’ hand.“We need to bag this as evidence.It’s potentially crucial—”
“No,” Riley cut him off.“I need that phone.He’s using it to communicate with me specifically.”
“That’s precisely why it needs to be properly processed,” Hogue countered, his voice calm but firm.“We can’t risk contaminating evidence or missing digital forensics because—”
“I can keep monitoring it remotely,” Mathers interjected, looking up from his tablet.“I’ve already mirrored the device to our system.We’ll catch any incoming messages, track location data, everything.Agent Paige can keep the physical phone without compromising the investigation.”
Hogue hesitated, weighing the options.Riley could see the internal struggle on his face—the need to follow protocol battling with the practical reality of their situation.
“If he contacts me again,” Riley said quietly, “I need to be able to respond immediately.Every minute counts, Hogue.”
After a long moment, Hogue replied.“Mathers, you stay on that phone like it’s your firstborn.Any activity, I want to know about it within seconds.”
“Consider it done,” Mathers said.“And I’ll mirror the phones for everybody else in the family as well.He won’t be able to call anybody without my knowing it.”
Hogue turned back to Riley.“I’ll dispatch agents to the Dillards’ home now.Where do they live?”
“Georgetown,” Riley replied.“Multimillion-dollar townhouse.I’m going there myself.”
“I’d advise against that,” Hogue said, though his tone suggested he already knew it was futile.“You’re too close to this case.”
“That’s exactly why I need to be there,” Riley countered.“I understand Leo better than anyone.If he’s targeting his parents, I need to talk to them directly, find out what they know.”
Hogue sighed, recognizing the determination in her voice.“Fine.But I’m sending Gleason with you.”
“No,” Riley said firmly.“I need your team focused on finding Jilly.There will be other cops at the Dillards’ house.And get in touch with Ann Marie Esmer and put her on your team.She’s young, but she has unique skills that could help with this case.Have Siobhan call her, pick her up.”
“Esmer?”Hogue looked skeptical.“The rookie?”
“She has an intuitive understanding of how killers think,” Riley insisted.“And she’s exceptional at getting people to open up.You’ll need that skill if you’re going to find Leo’s trail.”
Hogue considered this, then said reluctantly.“I’ll make the call.”
Riley turned to find Bill standing in the doorway, his car keys already in hand.Their eyes met, a wordless exchange passing between them.They’d worked together long enough that spoken instructions were often unnecessary.
“I’ll get April,” Bill said simply.“Bring her somewhere safe.”