Transcript of tape recording 002

March 4, 1987

Interview with Mayor Constance Wick

IOWA: Ok, are you ready?

WICK: Yes. Are you?

IOWA: I… yeah, I-

WICK: Then let’s proceed. As you can imagine, I’m very busy, so I’d prefer if we got through this as

                  quickly as feasible.

IOWA: Uh, right, of course.

WICK: I assume you’d like to inquire as to the state of the investigation into Ivan Murtin’s

                  disappearance?

IOWA: Yes, although-

WICK: I can tell you that-

IOWA: -although I really wanted to ask you about the nature of your personal relationship with Ivan

                  Murtin.

WICK: …Relationship?

IOWA: According to multiple sources the two of you were friends.

WICK: …I believe that to be a mischaracterization.

IOWA: And how would you characterize it?

[Beat of silence]

WICK: Ivan and I were in the same graduating class. We knew each other, we were on a first name basis,

                  but you would be hard pressed to claim us friends.

[Beat of silence]

WICK: What?

IOWA: Nothing, just… you’re really 64?

WICK: [sigh] Yes, although I seem to recall an old adage about asking women their age.

IOWA: I-I just meant, uh… it doesn’t show.

WICK: I suppose I should be flattered?

IOWA: I… sorry, let’s get back to Ivan-

WICK: Why?

IOWA: Sorry?

WICK: Why are you questioning me about Ivan Murtin?

IOWA: [nervous laugh] Um… because I’m investigating his disappearance?

WICK: Ms. Walsh, what do you think happened to Ivan?

IOWA: Well, I don’t know, that’s why, y’know, I’m conducting this investigation.

                  What do you think happened?

WICK: I think what the police think what everyone in town thinks: Ivan Murtin was a drunk, old

                  fisherman who probably took a long walk off a short pier. Any day now his body will come in at

                  high tide.

IOWA: Well-

WICK: You know what else I think? I think you’ve come to my town to profit off the death of one of our

                  residents by drumming up stories of murder.

IOWA: I have not once said ‘murder.’

WICK: Please.

IOWA: Respectfully, ma’am, I am only here to report the facts.

WICK: Is there anything else I can answer for you, Ms. Walsh?

IOWA: I… yes. I was hoping to get access to Murtin’s home. To report the facts.

WICK: [sigh] I’m confident you will find little of interest there, but if it will satisfy you, I will

                  set you up with a police escort to visit his home tomorrow. Is that all?

IOWA: I take it from your tone that it is.

WICK: Good read.

IOWA: So, thank you for meeting with me. And sorry, uh… yeah. Thank you.

WICK: Yes. I hope I won’t be seeing too much more of you.

[Click]

Recording ends.

Iowa’s notes: So this was a much shorter interview than I was expecting. If you can even call it an interview. At the time, I took Wick being all cagey and standoffish as suspicious. Not to say I thought she was a suspect or anything, just, y’know… suspicious. But in hindsight, I really think she might just be a colossal bitch.

I have to appreciate her giving me permission to check out Ivan’s place though. I can’t imagine I’ll find any smoking guns in there, but hopefully it’ll give me more insight into Ivan, since no one in town seems to be able to.