Suspect #2 interrogation, part 3

Thursday, August 15, 2024

[LORRAINE ESTRADA INTERVIEW RESUMED – 4:45 p.m.]

The detectives gave Lorraine Estrada one more opportunity to clear up the suspicions about her involvement in Kelly's murder.

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Lorraine Estrada

Lorraine Estrada: It's about time! I can't sit around here all afternoon. If you have other things to do, I can just come back another time, but you can't just leave me sitting here for hours.

Detective Armstrong: It hasn't been hours.

Detective Murphy: We appreciate your patience, Dr. Estrada. Since you have had some time to think, is there anything you want to tell us?

Lorraine Estrada: I just did tell you. I have things to do, so if you don't have time to talk to me right now, I'm going to go, and we can schedule another time when you're not so busy.

Detective Armstrong: You have our full attention. Now, are you ready to tell us the truth about Kelly's death?

Lorraine Estrada: I've told you everything I know.

Detective Armstrong: I don't think so.

Lorraine Estrada: What is that supposed to mean?

Detective Murphy: Take a look at this empty vial.

Lorraine Estrada: I can't see it very well inside that evidence bag.

Detective Murphy: Fair enough. Do you know what used to be in it? A 7.5/500 oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen oral solution.

Lorraine Estrada: Okay.

Detective Murphy: Do you know where we found it?

Lorraine Estrada: How could I?

Detective Murphy: It was at your house. How do you suppose that happened?

Lorraine Estrada: I must've accidentally brought it home from work.

Detective Murphy: You think so? Because that doesn't sound like you. You're usually very conscientious about your work, aren't you?

Lorraine Estrada: Of course, I am. Like I said, it must've been an accident, a mistake. I probably put it in my pocket and forgot about it.

Detective Murphy: Do you usually put empty medication containers in your pocket?

Lorraine Estrada: It can happen if my hands are full or I don't want to keep a customer waiting while I dispose of it.

Detective Armstrong: But that's not what happened with this vial, is it? This is the drug you used to kill Kelly.

Lorraine Estrada: Are you crazy? I mean, have you literally lost your mind? Kelly was strangled. Everybody knows that.

Detective Armstrong: Maybe you thought everyone would assume she accidentally overdosed and let it go at that. But then you changed the plan at the last minute and decided to stage a break-in and the strangling. Why did you do that?

Lorraine Estrada: I didn't do any of that. I don't know what you're talking about.

Detective Armstrong: Because you were probably right. If she'd just overdosed without all that other stuff—the half-assed ransacking of the house, the few missing valuables, the phone cord around her neck—there's a good chance her death would've been ruled an accidental OD. What happened? Did you get scared people wouldn't believe she accidentally took too many pills?

Lorraine Estrada: You can't be serious.

Detective Armstrong: Your fingerprints are on the vial.

Lorraine Estrada: Well, so what? I'm a pharmacist. I'm sure I've touched hundreds of vials like that in my career.

Detective Murphy: What about jewelry boxes? Have you touched hundreds of those?

Lorraine Estrada: What?

Detective Murphy: We also found this jewelry box at your house. Is it yours?

Lorraine Estrada: I guess it must be.

Detective Murphy: You don't recognize it?

Lorraine Estrada: I've had a few jewelry boxes over the years.

Detective Murphy: The thing about this one is that it matches the description of Kelly's jewelry box.

Lorraine Estrada: So? Lots of jewelry boxes look the same.

Detective Murphy: Kelly's jewelry box has been missing since her murder.

Lorraine Estrada: Okay.

Detective Murphy: Her husband positively identified this one—the one we found at your house—as Kelly's.

Lorraine Estrada: Well, I wouldn't put too much stock in that. I'd be surprised if Russell could remember any specifics about Kelly's things. He was never that interested in details like that.

Detective Armstrong: This box we found at your house has your fingerprints on it.

Lorraine Estrada: So? It was at my house. I'm sure I must've touched it at some point.

Detective Armstrong: It also has Kelly's fingerprints on it.

Lorraine Estrada: Maybe she picked it up sometime when she was at my house.

Detective Armstrong: Could be. Or maybe you took it from her house after you killed her.

Lorraine Estrada: Do you really think I'm the kind of person who could kill a dear friend? Who could put a lethal dose of a medication in her drink? Who could wrap an extension cord around her neck and strangle her?

Detective Armstrong: Yes, I do.

Lorraine Estrada: Why? Why would I do something like that?

Detective Armstrong: Maybe she was blackmailing you into giving her more pills than her prescription allowed? And then she was turning around and selling those to other people, including some in your own social circle? If that got out, it could ruin you professionally, socially, and personally.

Lorraine Estrada: That's ridiculous. Why would Kelly do something like that? Her husband makes plenty of money. And he works for the District Attorney! It would be crazy for her to do something so risky and foolish.

Detective Armstrong: Not just risky for her. Risky for you, too.

Lorraine Estrada: Only if your insane theory is true. Which it isn't!

Detective Armstrong: Convince me.

Lorraine Estrada: I most certainly will not. I'm not going to discuss this anymore. It's ridiculous. I'm leaving.

Detective Murphy: I'm afraid not, Lorraine. You may not have realized it yet, but you've already confessed. You're under arrest for the murder of Kelly Moran.

Interview ended – 5:22 p.m.