Nicolette Cuthbert interview #2

Sunday, August 4, 2024 – 4:15 p.m.

The detectives asked Nicolette Cuthbert to come in so they could follow up on their recent conversation with Trish Lee.

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Nicolette Cuthbert

Detective Armstrong: Could you please state your name and address for the record?

Nicolette Cuthbert: My name is Nicolette Cuthbert, and I live at 106 Ole Miss Drive.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for coming down today.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Thank you for the tea.

Detective Murphy: You're welcome.

Detective Armstrong: The reason we asked you to come in and talk with us is we're hoping you can clarify something.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Certainement.

Detective Armstrong: When we spoke the other day, you mentioned a trip to Charleston.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Oui?

Detective Armstrong: When you said who might be going, you included Lorraine Estrada. Is that correct?

Nicolette Cuthbert: If that piece of paper says I mentioned Lorraine, then it is correct. As to whether she would have gone, I don't know.

Detective Murphy: Why do you say that?

Nicolette Cuthbert: I have not seen her in a long time. When we all get together, she is no longer there.

Detective Murphy: Do you have any idea why?

Nicolette Cuthbert: People, they are impossible. Today, des soeurs.  Tomorrow, strangers.

Detective Murphy: Did someone in the group ask Lorraine to stay away?

Nicolette Cuthbert: I do not know. She is simply gone. Poof.

Detective Armstrong: Maybe Lorraine got tired of shopping or gossiping or whatever it is you ladies do when you get together.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Tired of shopping? One might as well become tired of living.

Detective Murphy: Especially if the shopping is followed by a nice glass of wine.

Nicolette Cuthbert: You are French at heart, I think.

Detective Murphy: Or sometimes, my friends and I skip the shopping part and go straight to the wine.

Nicolette Cuthbert: When you don't want to be bothered with the hunt, a nice wine is reward enough.

Detective Armstrong: Did your little circle ever decide to just stay in? Open a bottle or two?

Nicolette Cuthbert: Certainement.

Detective Armstrong: How about something a little stronger?

Nicolette Cuthbert: Cognac? It is not to the taste of the others.

Detective Murphy: They like something that goes down easy.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Oui.

Detective Murphy: Like pills.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Pills? Like on a sweater?

Detective Armstrong: Like from a bowl.

Nicolette Cuthbert: I do not think I understand the question.

Detective Armstrong: I think you hope we mistake your accent for a lack of understanding, n'est-ce pas?

Detective Murphy: Several of your friends have already told us about your little get-togethers. We're not interested in how you ladies relax. We're interested in bringing Kelly's murderer to justice.

Nicolette Cuthbert: A pill is a little thing, is it not?

Detective Armstrong: It is.

Detective Murphy: Although it could be big enough that Lorraine no longer wants to spend time with the rest of you.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Oui. Although I do not know this for a fact.

Detective Murphy: Did introducing pills change any other relationships within the group?

Nicolette Cuthbert: Trish, she enjoys the drama. The danger. What if we get caught? What if the pill causes drug-sniffing dogs to scratch at Kelly's door? That Trish, sometimes she's a fool. Fun, but a fool.

Detective Murphy: Did Kelly's husband know about what went on at these parties?

Nicolette Cuthbert: Kelly never say oui, never say non. All she ever say about Russell is she loves him. They have passion.

Detective Murphy: Passion's almost as good as wine.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Better even. Passion is better than everything but chocolate.

Detective Armstrong: It seems strange that Lorraine could just disappear from your group without anybody talking about it.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Kelly says Lorraine won't be joining us. What more is there to say?

Detective Armstrong: Do you ever see Lorraine?

Nicolette Cuthbert: I ran into her once at the pharmacy. She asked about our friends. She said she missed us but was very busy.

Detective Armstrong: Did you believe her?

Nicolette Cuthbert: I believe she is not telling me everything, but who does? All the time I talk with you, you tell me nothing, just ask questions.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for answering.

Nicolette Cuthbert: Next time, I host. I shall have lemons and chocolate.

Detective Murphy: And we'll be more than happy to accept your invitation.

Interview ended – 4:41 p.m.