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Tuesday, August 5, 2003 - 9:30 a.m.
Dudley Brinkman, who was identified as being in Duffy's establishment the night the victim disappeared, was interviewed at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. The interview was conducted by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy and was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.
- TA = Detective T. Armstrong
- SM = Detective S. Murphy
- DB = Dudley Brinkman
TA: Good morning, Mr. Brinkman. Thank you for coming in today.
DB: I'm glad my schedule was open this morning. What can I do to help you?
SM: First, Mr. Brinkman, will you please state your full name and address for the record?
DB: I'm Dudley Warren Brinkman. I live at 634
North Lamar with
my mother.
TA: Mr. Brinkman, we understand you were at Duffy's Bar & Grill the evening of July 3rd.
DB: That's right. I was there for a while.
SM: And you stopped by the table where Mrs. Cynthia Fine was sitting and talked with her?
DB: That's right. Cindy -- Mrs. Fine -- and I have been friends since we were kids. I stopped by the table to say hello and catch up on how she was doing.
TA: Then you hadn't seen her for a while?
DB: Not to talk to. We see each other at church and around town once in a while, but we hadn't had a chance to talk for some time.
SM: What did you talk about that evening, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: Nothing special, really. I asked her about her folks, especially her dad. He was my piano teacher a long time ago. She asked about my mom. We talked about her sister, Robyn, and mutual acquaintances. Things like that.
TA: Did she talk about her husband or her marriage?
DB: No, not really. I asked how things were going, and as usual she said everything was fine. She never seemed to come to terms with how bad her marriage had become. I didn't specifically ask her about Andy, but I knew things couldn't be too good with him.
SM: How would you come to that conclusion, Mr. Brinkman? You said you hadn't seen her or talked to her for a while.
DB: I see Robyn at work now and then. She's been worried about her sister for quite a while now, and I know she tried to get Cindy to leave Andy. Robyn was afraid for her sister's safety. She talked to me about it more than once. And if you knew Cindy... you only had to look at her -- the hurt in her eyes, the bruises make-up didn't cover. He was using her for a punching bag, the no-good jerk.
SM: I don't understand. Just what was your relationship with Mrs. Fine?
DB: We were dear, longtime friends, Detective. There was no "relationship," if you are implying what I think you are. I don't understand why people can't grasp the idea of a friendship between a man and a woman without inferring there has to be something sexual about it.
SM: Hmm. I didn't realize that I inferred or implied any such thing, Mr. Brinkman.
DB: I'm sorry. Andy had made such a stink that night about me just talking to Cindy that I guess I thought y'all might think... oh, never mind. Poor Cindy. He wasn't paying any attention to her. Eddie Dooley was there talking to her and I went over to join them. First thing I know, Andy's there cussin', callin' Cindy names, accusin' her of all kinds of nasty stuff. Then he started in on me. Yelling, cussing, name calling -- the usual garbage he spewed.
TA: What happened then?
DB: I got up and walked away, paid my tab and left. I was afraid if I stuck around, he'd take it out on Cindy, and I didn't want her to suffer for just talking to me.
SM: That must have angered you.
DB: Not really. If you knew Andy, you'd know that it was just the ravings of a jealous, ignorant S.O.B. But I was afraid he'd blame Cindy and take it out on her.
TA: Sounds like you'd had similar experiences with Andy Fine.
DB: I've lived in Oxford all my life, Detective. This is a small town. You can't avoid people you've known most of your life for very long.
SM: Had you known Mr. Fine long, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: Since high school. We were at Oxford High at the same time, but he was a year ahead of me and we didn't travel in the same circles. And, of course, 'most everyone knows him by reputation.
SM: And what reputation is that?
DB: He was a mouthy, mean, ignorant bully who drank too much and mistreated his wife. It's no secret what he was, Detective. 'Most any one who was around him for any period of time became the brunt of his insults. You just had to take them with a grain of salt and consider the source.
SM: Do you know anyone who took his insults a bit more personally, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: Not really.
TA: Who else was at the table with you and Mrs. Fine that evening?
DB: Eddie Dooley was there for a while.
TA: Did Mr. Fine see Dooley there talking to Mrs. Fine?
DB: I'm sure he must have.
SM: Did he make remarks to him, and insult him too?
DB: No, I had the honors that night. Andy didn't seem to pay much attention to Eddie. I seemed to be the one who pissed him off that night. Of course, he could have turned on Eddie after I left. I don't know about that.
TA: How well do you know Mr. Dooley?
DB: Not really well. I know who he is and his reputation. As I said, this is a small town. There aren't too many secrets.
SM: What can you tell us about Eddie Dooley?
DB: Probably not as much as you already know about him. Just what I've heard -- he's got sticky fingers, "finds" things and sells them. You've probably got a rap sheet on him. Small time stuff.
TA: How long did you stay at Duffy's that evening, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: I left right after Andy confronted me at the table. I didn't want Cindy to suffer if I stuck around, you know? Like he always did, he was bound to blame her and accuse her of something she didn't do.
SM: And what time was that?
DB: I don't know exactly. I think it was after 11:00.
TA: Where did you go from Duffy's, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: I went to the Huddle House for something to eat.
TA: How long were you there?
DB: It must have been over an hour. I ran into the son of a former patient and we talked for quite a while.
SM: Then where did you go?
DB: I went home.
SM: Can anyone verify that, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: I don't know. My mother usually goes to bed before 11:00. I don't know whether she heard me come in or not. I didn't know I was going to need an alibi for anything, you understand.
TA: Yes, sir, we understand. Tell me, what kind of car do you drive?
DB: I have an Isuzu Rodeo. Why?
SM: Just routine, Mr. Brinkman. What color is it?
DB: Blue.
TA: Did you happen to drive past Duffy's on your way home that night, after you left Huddle House?
DB: No, I live in another other direction. I had no reason to drive
back that way.
SM: So tell us again, when was the last time you saw Andy Fine?
DB: It was at the table where I was talking with Cindy just before I left Duffy's.
SM: And that was at what time?
DB: I told you, I think it was around 11:00 or 11:30. I had no reason to keep track of the time that night. I didn't know Fine was going to get himself killed and you were going to want me to account for every minute. Give me a break!
TA: Mr. Brinkman, have you ever parked in the parking lot of the Fines' apartment?
DB: Ever? No, not that I recall. I have been to Ewok Village a few times over the years to visit someone or another, but not lately.
SM: What about in the lot of the apartments across the street?
DB: No. Why would I do that?
TA: I don't know maybe you could tell us.
DB: What is that supposed to mean? You think I've done something wrong?
SM: Is it true that you and Mrs. Fine dated?
DB: Twenty years ago, for heavens sake! We were in high school and she was Miss Campbell then.
TA: Did you visit Mrs. Fine when her husband was at work, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: No, I have never been in the Fines' apartment
TA: What about the farmhouse on Reagle Farm Road? Maybe you and Mrs. Fine met there.
DB: Farmhouse on Reagle Farm Road? I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about. And Mrs. Fine and I never met anywhere. She's a good Christian woman and she was faithful to her husband. We're just friends. Why can't you understand that?
SM: So you've never heard about the so-called party pad belonging to Mr. Fine?
DB: Oh sure, I've heard rumors of Andy having parties at his farmhouse, but I've never been there. Andy didn't like me. He'd never ask me to one of his parties. And I sure as hell wouldn't go if he did! The less I saw of him the better. He was trouble.
SM: Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to kill Andy Fine?
DB: Yes. 'Most everyone who ever met him.
TA: Anyone in particular?
DB: I don't know. I wasn't around Andy enough to know that.
TA: What about his wife?
DB: What about her?
TA: You think she killed him? According to what you've said, she certainly had good reason.
DB: Cindy would never hurt anyone. And she certainly wouldn't have killed her husband. She loved that jerk. Don't ask me why.
TA: What about Cindy's sister, Robyn? You said she tried to get Cindy to leave him, but she wouldn't do it. Maybe Robyn killed him, trying to do what was best for her sister.
DB: That's ridiculous. You're just grabbing at straws here.
TA: Maybe you did it. To help Cindy, of course.
DB: I don't like the tone of these questions, Detective Armstrong. You act like I'm a suspect, like Cindy's a suspect, like Robyn's a suspect. Do you have any idea who did this or are you just going around accusing everyone, hoping the guilty person will confess? If you don't have any more questions, I'd like to leave now.
SM: Not just yet, sir. Before you go, we have a warrant to collect samples of your blood and hair. If you'll just wait here a moment, a technician will be in to take the samples.
DB: My god! You really do think I'm a suspect, don't you? It's too bad Andy's not here because he'd get a big laugh out of that. He's been telling me and anyone else who would listen for the last twenty years what a wimp I am. And you know what? He was right. I'm not the confrontational type. Yeah, he'd definitely think this was hilarious.
TA: Yes, well, if Andy we're here, we wouldn't even be having this conversation, would we?
DB: No, I guess not.
SM: Just keep your seat, Mr. Brinkman. The technician will be right with you.
End interview - 10:08 a.m.
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