[Begin transcript.]

[Begin transcript.]

FEMININE VOICE: This is the audio log of Investigator Selene McCarthy for the Hillview Police Department. Today is Saturday, May 28th, 2005.

MCCARTHY: Please state your name and occupation for the record.

MASCULINE VOICE: Antonio Muerte. I haven’t been working.

MCCARTHY: Mr. Muerte, where were you last night?

MUERTE: At home.

MCCARTHY: And where is that?

MUERTE: You people know where it is.

MCCARTHY: Please don’t make this difficult.

MUERTE: Look it up in your records if you care so much.

[shuffling]

MCCARTHY: 665 Vipera Road, unincorporated Hillview, California. Is this correct?

MUERTE: Mm-hm.

MCCARTHY: Wonderful. And what were you doing at home?

MUERTE: The usual.

MCCARTHY: Which consists of?

MUERTE: Dinner. Dishes. Reading.

MCCARTHY: And did you notice anything unusual during this time?

MUERTE: God, don’t be coy with me. Just ask what you actually mean.

MCCARTHY: Very well. 

MCCARTHY: Mr. Muerte, someone was murdered in your home yesterday night sometime before midnight. The body was charred beyond recognition and the victim is as of yet unidentified. Was this known to you?

MUERTE: Wow, I wonder.

MCCARTHY: So you are aware of the incident?

MUERTE: Wow, yes, I’m aware that someone got murdered in my own goddamn living room!

MCCARTHY: And you were home at the time of the crime?

[pause]

MCCARTHY: Mr. Muerte, we are only trying to help.

MUERTE: Bullshit.

MUERTE: But yes, fine, I was home.

MCCARTHY: What can you tell us about the crime?

MUERTE: Someone broke in. I hid.

MCCARTHY: That’s all?

MUERTE: ...Yes.

MCCARTHY: What time was this?

MUERTE: Maybe eleven. I wasn’t really paying attention.

MCCARTHY: Where was it you hid?

MUERTE: The... the basement.

MCCARTHY: Why the basement?

MUERTE: It’s... fortified. I fortified it.

MCCARTHY: Fortified? 

MUERTE: Are these interrogations made public?

MCCARTHY: Excuse me?

MUERTE: Do you publish these?

MCCARTHY: Not typically outside of the case, no.

MUERTE: [sighing] Alright. I fortified it. It’s armored and has a triple locking system and provisions. It’s the safest place in the house.

MCCARTHY: Interesting. Why did you fortify it?

MUERTE: In case... something happens.

MCCARTHY: Like the incident last night?

MUERTE: Or... other things.

MCCARTHY: Do you have reason to believe that something or someone would put you in danger?

MUERTE: That doesn’t really feel like any of your business.

MCCARTHY: I see. Let’s move on, then. Did you recognize the person who broke in?

MUERTE: I didn’t get a good look at them.

MCCARTHY: Is there anything specific you can tell us?

MUERTE: They were tall. White, maybe. Wearing something dark.

MCCARTHY: Interesting, interesting.

MCCARTHY: We’ve been informed that your house is frequented by one Mr. Basil Eaton. Is there any possibility he was on the scene?

MUERTE: No, none.

MCCARTHY: Are you sure?

MUERTE: Yes. I was the only one home.

MCCARTHY: What is the nature of your relationship with Mr. Eaton?

MUERTE: I don’t see why it matters.

MCCARTHY: It matters. 

MUERTE: I really don’t think it does.

MCCARTHY: Until we know more about this case, we need all the information we can get.

MUERTE: Ugh.

MUERTE: Basil and I are... involved.

MCCARTHY: Romantically?

MUERTE: Yes, romantically. Are you happy?

MCCARTHY: And how is your relationship?

MUERTE: That is absolutely none of your business.

MCCARTHY: Hm. Is there any chance Mr. Eaton was the victim?

MUERTE: I already told you he wasn’t home.

MCCARTHY: What if he was the one that broke in?

MUERTE: Why would he break in?

MCCARTHY: A lover’s quarrel, perhaps. There are many reasons.

MUERTE: What are you insinuating?

MCCARTHY: I’m not insinuating anything.

MCCARTHY: But I must wonder — are you absolutely certain he wasn’t the victim?

MUERTE: Look, can’t you just go find him? I promise you he’s alive.

MCCARTHY: Perhaps. But how do you know that, Mr. Muerte?

MUERTE: Don’t I have a right to remain silent?

MCCARTHY: You do. But can you afford to?

MCCARTHY: Quite frankly, Mr. Muerte, unless you can provide an alibi, the evidence is not at all in your favor. A witness has provided quite the compelling case against you.

MUERTE: A witness? Who?!

MCCARTHY: That’s classified.

MCCARTHY: But unless you can tell us the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, your future doesn’t look particularly bright.

MCCARTHY: The scene showed signs of a struggle. Clearly someone was with the victim, and yet, according to you, no one else was present.

MCCARTHY: So tell me, Mr. Muerte, what really happened last night?

MUERTE: If I told you, you’d put me in a mental ward.

MCCARTHY: Hmm.

MUERTE: Look, I know you people hate me. You think I’m crazy and you want me gone. And if you want to scapegoat me, then sure, fine. Fine! I guess that’s just how it’ll have to be!

MUERTE: But I’m telling you, I didn’t do it.

MUERTE: I didn’t fucking do it.

MCCARTHY: Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Muerte.

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