Tuesday, December 17, 2019 – 1:32 p.m.

Nancy Ford worked with the victim, Caroline Jordan.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Nancy Ford

Detective Murphy: Good afternoon, Ms. Ford. Before we get started, would you please give us your name and address for the record?

Nancy Ford: My name is Nancy Ford, and I live at 44 County Road 3022, here in Oxford. Is this about Carly's death? It was a shock finding out she was murdered.

Detective Murphy: What can you tell us about the party last night?

Nancy Ford: It was Morgan's idea to have the party. He's our boss. Carly volunteered to use her house. She said her place had more room than everyone else's… like we needed to be reminded. I got there late afternoon, but I'm not sure of the exact time. I don't wear a watch very often.

Detective Murphy: Who else was there?

Nancy Ford: Everyone at work showed up for the food and beer.

Detective Murphy: Were you and Carly friends?

Nancy Ford: I wouldn't say we were close, but we got along at work.

Detective Murphy: But you went to her party.

Nancy Ford: Sure. Why pass up free food and adult beverages?

Detective Armstrong: Are you sure that's why you went? I gotta say, you don't sound like you were particularly fond of her.

Nancy Ford: So I didn't like her all that much. So what? She knew Morgan liked her, and she was always flirty around him. I'm sure that's why she got the job instead of me. Morgan promised me that job and then gave it to her.

Detective Armstrong: The job?

Nancy Ford: The full-time elf job. Everyone wanted it. She got it. For some reason.

Detective Armstrong: Why would he promise you the job?

Nancy Ford: I deserved that job. She doesn't even need the money. Her parents left her plenty. But she flirted with him, so she got the job.

Detective Armstrong: That must have made you jealous.

Nancy Ford: I wasn't jealous of her. Yeah, she knew how to flirt, all smiley and sweet, but it was all an act. She didn't give a damn about him or anyone else. All she cared about was getting the job — my job!

Detective Armstrong: You were angry about that.

Nancy Ford: Of course! Wouldn't you be? But it was Morgan's call. He made his choice, and we all accepted it.

Detective Murphy: I see your name is on this wish list we found at Carly's. A cruise to the Bahamas would be nice.

Nancy Ford: Yeah, well, it doesn't seem like either of us will be doing that anytime soon.

Detective Murphy: Beside Carly's name, someone wrote "Sloan's herb." Can you tell us what that means?

Nancy Ford: Obviously, it's a slang word for pot. You know… marijuana. I never fool with that stuff.

Detective Armstrong: Did Carly do drugs?

Nancy Ford: Miss Goody Two Shoes? I never saw or heard of her using any kind of drugs. I think someone meant it as a joke.

Detective Armstrong: Someone like who?

Nancy Ford: I don't know. Some of the guys we work with can be pretty immature. It could be any of them. What difference does it make?

Detective Murphy: What time did you leave the party?

Nancy Ford: I was tired and had too many beers, so I decided to call it a night. I glanced at the clock in the kitchen when I left, and it was around 9:45, I think. My mama always taught me to be polite, so I told Carly goodbye and thanked her. Then I left out the back through the woods to my parents' house.

Detective Murphy: Did you notice who was still there?

Nancy Ford: I'm sure Morgan was still there hoping to get lucky, but I'm not sure who else. Frankly, I didn't care. I just wanted to leave.

Detective Murphy: All right, Ms. Ford, that's all for now. If you think of anything else, please make sure you give us a call.

Nancy Ford: Of course.

Interview ended – 2:10 p.m.