Missing Pieces(58)

Gilmore: This is Deputy Sheriff Verne Gilmore. Nine thirty a.m. on June 1, 1985, interviewing, with parent permission, Celia Marie Parker, age fifteen. Celia, just answer my questions as thoroughly as you can. If you don’t know the answer to a question just say so. Do you understand?

Celia: Yes.

Sarah’s interest was immediately piqued. Of course it made sense that Celia would be interviewed. She was Jack’s girlfriend, had most likely spent some time at their home and in the presence of his parents. Gilmore’s initial questions to Celia were basic. Her home address, her age, her relationship with Jack. Gilmore then asked Celia about her whereabouts on the day of the murder.

Celia: I was at school.

Gilmore: Did you see Jack Tierney at school on the thirtieth?

Celia: Yes. I saw him in the hallway before our first class and then during second period. We have English together. Then we ate lunch in the cafeteria.

Gilmore: Was that the last time you saw Jack that day? In the cafeteria?

Celia: It was the last time I talked to him. But I saw him in the hallway later in the afternoon.

Gilmore: What time was that?

Celia: Um...it was after sixth period. So at about two o’clock.

Gilmore: Two? Are you sure?

Celia: I think so. Yes, I’m sure. It was after my anatomy class. I saw him in the hallway.

Gilmore: Did you speak to him?

Celia: No. He was too far away. I just saw him from the back.

Celia’s voice shook slightly. Sarah could imagine the nervousness she was feeling. Fifteen years old and your boyfriend is suspected in the murder of his mother. Under the circumstances, Sarah thought that Celia was holding up well.

Gilmore: Now, Celia, you know that’s not true.

Celia: No. I saw him. I remember. He was walking down the hallway toward his last class.

Gilmore: Maybe you think you saw Jack. He wasn’t in school that afternoon. We already know that. Jack already told us he left school around one forty-five.

Gilmore’s voice was gentle. Sarah could almost imagine him leaning forward in his chair toward Celia, his face kind, but his gray eyes sharp and missing nothing.

Celia: But I did see him. I’m sure I did. I’m not lying.

Gilmore: Jack’s your boyfriend. I know you want to help him and the best way you can do that is by telling me the truth. Do you understand?

Celia: Yes. I think I saw him.

Gilmore: But you’re not sure?

Celia: No. I guess I could have the time wrong.

Gilmore went on to ask Celia about Jack’s relationship with his parents. Did she witness any arguments between them, did Jack ever talk about any fights or disagreements?

Celia: No. They got along fine.

The self-assurance had returned to Celia’s voice.

Celia: Jack wouldn’t hurt his mom. I know he wouldn’t.

The interview went on in this vein for some time. Gilmore was asking pointed questions about the relationship between Jack and his parents, and Celia was responding that there was nothing wrong. Finally, with a sigh, Gilmore started to bring the questioning to a close.

Gilmore: Did anything unusual happen that day? Anything at all that made you think twice?

Celia: That morning I saw Jack’s dad. I was driving to school and I was running late.

Gilmore: You have your school permit to drive? What time was this?

Celia: Yes. I was driving on Highway 32 toward the high school. It was about eight o’clock.

Gilmore: Was he in his vehicle?

Celia: No. That’s why it was so strange. He was walking along the side of the road. I waved to him. But he didn’t see me. I slowed down to see if maybe he needed a ride, but when I looked in my rearview mirror, he was gone. It was like he just disappeared.

Gilmore: What do you mean? Did he get a ride with someone else or turn down a different road?

Celia: I figured someone else picked him up and took him home.

Gilmore ended the interview with the direction for Celia to give him a call if she remembered anything else about that day.

Was Celia just a young girl in love trying to protect her boyfriend? She sounded entirely believable. Even her account of seeing Jack in the school hallway when he couldn’t have been there, even by his own admission, sounded reasonable, an honest mistake. Would Celia have lied about seeing Jack’s father that morning walking along the road? Sarah couldn’t see why.

The final interview on the audio recording was Gilmore interviewing Dean. Again, Gilmore first asked all the basic questions and then got down to business. Dean’s account of the day matched Jack’s. He picked Jack up at the school around one forty-five; they were going to go hang out at the reservoir north of Penny Gate, but Jack was in a bad mood and ended up telling Dean to just take him home. He dropped Jack off in front of his house at about two and then left, going to the reservoir on his own.

Gilmore asked Dean if he was aware of any arguments between Jack and his parents. Dean grew quiet and Gilmore waited him out. The seconds ticked by. Finally Dean began to speak so quietly that Sarah had to turn up the volume on the tape player to hear him.

Dean: Yeah, Jack and his parents fought. Like all of us do, I guess.

Gilmore: Sure, kids argue with folks all the time. What kinds of things did Jack and his folks fight about?

Dean: (Inaudible.)

Gilmore: Can you speak up so the tape recorder picks up what you are saying?

Dean: Celia. They fought about Celia Parker. They thought they were getting too serious.