Samantha Hawke interview

Friday, February 28 – 10:45 a.m.

Samantha Hawke and her husband were allegedly being blackmailed by Victor Jennings.

Detectives Murphy and Parker spoke with her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Samantha Hawke

Detective Murphy: Good morning, Mrs. Hawke. It's a pleasure to meet you. Would you please take a seat and state your name and address for the record?

Samantha Hawke: Thank you, Detective. And please call me Samantha. All my fans do. I live at 27944 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, with my husband, Michael. Is this concerning Victor Jennings?

Detective Murphy: Yes, we need to ask you a few questions about Victor.

Samantha Hawke: He was a horrible person. My husband, Michael, and I hired him to help with a book we're writing, and he tried to use things we told him in confidence to blackmail us. Can you believe that? Of course, we went straight to the police, and Victor was arrested.

Detective Murphy: Samantha, when did you and your husband arrive in Oxford?

Samantha Hawke: We left France after Michael wrapped his latest movie. We got to Oxford on Monday to prepare for our testimony for the trial.

Detective Parker: Why did you stay after you learned there would be no trial because Victor was dead?

Samantha Hawke: Michael likes Oxford and thinks it would be a good place to shoot his next movie. He's starring in it and producing it, you know. It's going to be great.

Detective Murphy: Where were you on Tuesday?

Samantha Hawke: Well, even though Michael and I are staying at a private residence while we're here, people found out we were here almost as soon as we arrived. Someone always seems to recognize us.

Detective Murphy: That must be very hard on you both. So, where were you on Tuesday?

Samantha Hawke: I'm sorry. I didn't answer your question, did I? What I was trying to say is that when your mayor discovered we'd be staying in Oxford, she made arrangements to show us around the city that day. Later, we went to dinner and arrived back at our place around 10:00 p.m. I was exhausted, so I went to bed. Michael stayed up to watch an old movie on TV.

Detective Parker: Did either of you call Victor that day or anytime after you arrived in town?

Samantha Hawke: No, of course not. The prosecutor and our own attorneys advised us not to talk to him.

Detective Parker: Mrs. Hawke, both you and your husband hated Victor Jennings. Were you angry enough to kill him?

Samantha Hawke: We certainly didn't like him, but neither of us would kill him. We wanted to see him punished for what he did. That's why we helped with the sting. He deserved to go to prison.

Detective Parker: Weren't you angry with Victor because the information he was blackmailing you with could've ruined both of your careers?

Samantha Hawke: I have no idea what you're talking about. Michael and I have nothing to hide. There was some information about others we didn't want broadcast, but nothing that would hurt us.

Detective Parker: There have been rumors in the press in the past that your marriage … isn't what it seems. Is that what Victor was blackmailing you about?

Samantha Hawke: Are you trying to say Michael and I don't love each other? Because we do. We always have, and we love each other more every day. He's the love of my life.

Detective Parker: No, ma'am. All due respect, those aren't the rumors I'm talking about. I—

Samantha Hawke: Don't say another word. Those ridiculous lies crop up every few years, and all I can say is nothing could be further from the truth. I don't know why anyone would make up such stories. Michael and I have always tried to do the right thing. We love our fans and do our best to earn and keep their respect.

Detective Parker: Yes, ma'am, but the suggestion—

Samantha Hawke: How could anyone think our marriage was a sham? What kind of fool do you think I am? Maybe the person who's spreading these lies has their own motive for killing Victor, so they're trying to point the finger at my husband and I.

Detective Murphy: That could be possible. Do you have any thoughts about who that might be?

Samantha Hawke: I wouldn't know. Isn't that your area of expertise?

Detective Murphy: Yes, ma'am. We—

Samantha Hawke: If there's nothing else, I have a full plate today.

Detective Murphy: Okay. Thank you for speaking with us, and I hope you enjoy your stay in Oxford. Please notify us if you and your husband plan to leave town so we know where to reach you if we have any more questions.

Samantha Hawke: Is that really necessary? I've already told you everything.

Detective Murphy: Yes, ma'am. The officer will see you out, but you may want to go out the back. I understand there's a crowd waiting out front.

Interview ended – 11:12 a.m.