Bernadette Guthrie interview

Saturday, February 8 – 2:36 p.m.

Bernadette Guthrie worked with Diane Coates and attended the annual Barksdale Literature Conference.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy spoke with her at the Yoknapatawpha County Conference Center.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Sylvia Payton

Detective Murphy: Thank you for talking with us today, Ms. Guthrie. For the record, will you please state your name and address?

Bernadette Guthrie: Bernadette Guthrie. I live at 112 Longest Road in Oxford.

Detective Murphy: You didn't want to talk to us last night. May I ask what changed your mind?

Bernadette Guthrie: Oh, my friend Doris Kirkendale was at the reception with me and just said she didn't think I should talk to anyone without an attorney present. But you know how attorneys are. They think no one can get along without them. I talked to her later, and she said that as long as it's just an interview, it's okay. Besides, I want to help if I can.

Detective Murphy: Thank you. We appreciate that. We understand you had a chance to talk with Ms. Coates at the reception before she collapsed. Did you notice anything unusual in her behavior or appearance?

Bernadette Guthrie: We didn't really talk. When she arrived, I was standing near the entrance. We said hello and hugged—that's all. She had complained of a headache earlier, so I asked how she felt, and she said she was okay. We'd all been working hard on the conference, and I know she'd been stressed.

Detective Murphy: That's all you talked about?

Bernadette Guthrie: Yes. Then she went around the corner, saw the snacks on the counter, and went ballistic. That's when she and Sandra had words. I was kind of surprised, really. Diane is a stickler for details, but I thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill. I mean, she was complaining about the green peas in the snack mix, for God's sake.

Detective Armstrong: Were you and Ms. Coates friends? Did you know her very well?

Bernadette Guthrie: Well, we weren't best friends, but we lived fairly close to each other, so we rode into work together once in a while. And a couple of times when Rupert was out of town, we went to dinner.

Detective Armstrong: Did you know any of her other friends?

Bernadette Guthrie: Sure. All the people in the office knew her. But, then, I wouldn't say they were all exactly her friends. I guess I came the closest in that department.

Detective Armstrong: What about other people, away from the office?

Bernadette Guthrie: Well, there was this guy, the owner of Ma Folie, the restaurant. We went there for dinner a couple of times when Rupert was out of town. I got the impression that Diane knew the owner pretty well. She talked about him a lot, too. She acted like a kid with a crush on someone. If I didn't know better, I'd think they were having a thing.

Detective Murphy: A thing?

Bernadette Guthrie: Yeah. I hate to say it, but I think she may have been having an affair with him.

Detective Murphy: Do you know this man's name?

Bernadette Guthrie: Just Landon. But you could probably find him at his restaurant. He's there every night, I guess. Look, I don't want to get anybody in trouble. If you talk to him, please don't tell him I was the one who gave you his name. This whole thing is upsetting enough without somebody chewing me out because I gave you his name. You know?

Detective Armstrong: Yes, ma'am. We understand.

Bernadette Guthrie: Are we about through here? I have a meeting.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, Thank you, Ms. Guthrie. We may be talking to you again.

Bernadette Guthrie: Sure. I'd sure like to know what happened to poor Diane. When will you know?

Detective Murphy: We should have the preliminary autopsy soon. Then, we'll have a better idea of why she died.

Bernadette Guthrie: I'd really appreciate it if you'd let me know.

Detective Armstrong: We'll try to do that. Thank you, ma'am.

Interview ended – 3:04 p.m.