[Start of Recording]
Detective Monroe (SM): Augustus, glad you could join us today. [He glances at Damien Clark and Mr. Stevens] I’m sure you’re familiar with how these things go, so let’s cut right to the chase.
Mr. Stevens (Attorney): Detective, we’re here in good faith, but I’ll remind you that Augustus is here voluntarily. This is not an interrogation.
SM:Right. But voluntary or not, we’ve got a lot to cover. Augustus, the audio that leaked—sexual in nature, as we all know—along with the rumors of your relationship with Lilia Chen, has caused quite a stir. There’s talk that the two of you had a motive to get Willow out of the picture. You see where I’m going with this, don’t you?
AC:I know what people are saying. But they’re wrong. Lilia and I . . . it wasn’t like that.
SM:Wasn’t like what? Because the audio sure makes it sound like you two were more than just ‘friends.’ You’re telling me that fling was nothing? That you didn’t talk about being together, about how Willow was a problem?
AC: [Tightening his jaw]It was a mistake. It happened once. We were drunk. It had nothing to do with Willow.
SM: [Leaning in]And you expect me to believe that? One mistake? That’s it? Because I’ve got phone records here that tell a different story. [Slaps a file onto the table] These recordsshow you and Willow were fighting in the days leading up to her murder. Care to explain what those arguments were about?
DA:Augustus, don’t respond to that.
AC: [Pauses, glancing at his father, then back to Monroe]Willow and I were going through a rough patch. We argued about a lot of things. She wasn’t around much, disappearing without telling me where she was going. I got frustrated. That’s all.
SM: [Leaning back]‘That’s all?’ That’s a pretty casual way to describe it. You were sending her texts at 2 a.m., threatening to end things. Telling her that if she didn’t straighten up, she’d regret it. Sounds like more than just frustration to me.
AC:I didn’t mean any of it. People say things when they’re angry. It doesn’t mean I wanted to hurt her.
SM:[Smirks] Maybe you didn’t mean to hurt her yourself. But what if Lilia wanted Willow gone? She had just as much reason as you, didn’t she? Maybe you two talked about how it would be easier without her in the picture. That’s what everyone’s thinking, Augustus. You and Lilia had a reason to want Willow out of the way.
AC: [Leaning forward, voice rising]We never wanted her gone! I was angry, yeah, but I didn’t want Willow dead. And neither did Lilia. We never talked about anything like that.
SM: [Eyes narrowing]So explain the photo. [Pulls out a print of the photo of Augustus and Lilia at the party, leaning close to each other] This was taken just weeks before Willow’s body was found. You’re telling me there was nothing between you two? This doesn’t look like ‘just friends’ to me.
AC: [Gritting his teeth]That photo is being taken out of context. We were at a party, talking. That’s it. I was drunk.
SM:Sure, sure. But the way I see it, Augustus, you were on the rocks with Willow, sneaking around with Lilia. And when Willow started disappearing, things got tense. You argued, senther threatening messages, and then—what? She ends up dead. All of this points to one thing.
Mr. Stevens (Attorney):Detective, that’s a baseless accusation. Augustus has already given his statement. Unless you have concrete evidence, this interrogation is over.
SM [Ignoring Stevens, keeping his focus on Augustus]There’s more. [Slides another file across the table] I’ve got phone records placing you near the Circle 9 Hotel on the night Willow went missing. You never mentioned that in your statements. Why were you there, Augustus?
AC: [Visibly rattled]I wasn’t there! I don’t know where you’re getting that from.
SM:Don’t play dumb. The cell tower data doesn’t lie. You were near that hotel. The same hotel where Willow checked in that night. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
DA:This is harassment, Monroe! My son has cooperated with every part of this investigation, and you’re twisting this into something it’s not. Augustus wasn’t at that hotel.
SM: [Turning to Damien Clark]Maybe your son hasn’t been as honest as you think, Mr. Clark. You know as well as I do that the DA’s office has to look at everything. Just because your kid’s sitting across from me doesn’t make him exempt from scrutiny.
AC: [Standing abruptly]I’ve told you everything! I wasn’t there that night. I didn’t hurt Willow. Neither did Lilia. You’re trying to pin this on me because it’s easy. But you’ve got it wrong.
SM: [Remaining seated, calm but intense]Sit down, Augustus. You might be the DA’s son, but I’m not playing games here. We’ve got more evidence coming in, and I’m betting it’s going to show that you and Lilia weren’t so innocent. So unless you’ve got a damn good explanation for all of this, you’d better think real hard about what you’re saying.
Mr. Stevens (Attorney):That’s enough. This interview is over.
SM:Fine. But don’t think this is the end of it, Augustus. I’ll be seeing you again real soon.
[End of Recording]
Transcript Concluded
Chapter Twenty-Two
