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No Escape Episode 6: The Showdown (AKA The Group Interrogation) · Slice of Crimes | Serial Crime Story & Audio Drama

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  Slice of Crimes is a fictionalized true crime podcast that delves into complex
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  and sometimes difficult stories.
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  Topics may include discussions and descriptions of violence,
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  abuse, self-harm, sexual assault, suicide, and other sensitive subjects,
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  as well as occasional strong language.
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  Please listen with care and discretion.
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  This podcast may not be suitable for all audiences, especially young listeners.
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  Music.
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  Nothing has ever heard exactly as it seems seems.
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  Slice of crimes.
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  Infinite banks no escape
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  episode 6 the
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  showdown aka the group interrogation welcome back to slice of crimes i'm casey
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  your resident slice sleuth and today we're diving into the aftermath of the
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  individual interrogations the detectives have uncovered crucial evidence both physical and digital,
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  that may just unravel this labyrinth of lies.
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  What did the teens' phones reveal, and how will they respond when confronted
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  with their own words? Let's find out.
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  Detective Sarah McAllister and Detective Mike Ramirez are front and center in
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  the police station conference room, ready to embark on a wild ride down a twisted road of deception.
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  They fully expect to arrive at the clear-cut truth by the end of this grueling journey.
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  The five teens, Maya, Jenkins, Blake, Myers, and the memory of Jenner,
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  are seated in a semi-circle.
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  Nobody has dared to make eye contact.
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  In fact, it's as if they are strangers, not the best of friends.
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  The tension is palpable as the teens teeter on a precipice, terrified of the
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  impending explosion that's about to blow up someone's life.
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  We've been going through your phones, and what we've found raises more questions
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  than answers. But it also brings us closer to the truth.
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  Let's start with you, Maya. Why did you tell Jenner you weren't quitting Dive-In
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  and then challenge him to dump you?
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  I was just tired of him trying to control me. I didn't mean anything by it.
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  Hmm. Maya, I'm going to read the text exchange between you two,
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  right here in front of everyone. Listen up, everyone.
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  Maya, you can break up with me. I don't care. I'm not quitting.
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  Jenner, we're not breaking up. You shouldn't quit. You're the best diver on your team.
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  McAllister pauses momentarily due to the audible gasp from the collective group.
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  Maya, if you think that, why don't you ever say it? Jenner, I just did.
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  Maya is a fair-skinned girl, but her face has gone absolutely stark white.
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  She holds off commenting, though, which shows her control despite appearing
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  as fragile as a porcelain doll.
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  I'll continue with some more gems we found on your phone, Maya.
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  Text to Maya, you can do it, I believe in you. Now you need to believe in you.
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  Return text from Maya, winky face emoji.
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  And that's from, if you guessed Myers, you're correct.
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  Seems pretty familiar for two people who quote, really don't know each other.
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  What do you say, Myers? It was no secret that she was standing up for herself with Jenna.
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  All of us could see the tension between them.
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  I thought she needed someone to believe in her. That is all.
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  I know what it feels like trying to be strong with nobody to lean on.
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  Is that all there is to it? Really? Take it how you like.
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  Turns out Jenner wasn't the only one who craved attention.
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  Seems Maya attracted her share. And Jenkins, what about your text to Maya?
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  Hang in there, it will get better when he's gone. What did you mean by that?
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  Jenkins looks down, his voice hesitant. He's in disbelief that McAllister's coming after him again.
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  I just meant, when Jenner goes to Duke, things will be different. Easier, that's all.
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  Easier how? Because he wouldn't be around to overshadow you?
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  Are you sure by gone you didn't mean dead?
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  Jenkins doesn't respond, he's back to his old ways, clamming up his silent speaking volumes.
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  Whatever you meant, Maya texted a thumbs up. I guess she understood and now
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  your brother's dead. No! Coincidence?
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  McAllister thought about those two. Jenkins didn't hide the fact that he was protective of her.
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  But he did deny a friendship with Blake. And the detectives are about to debunk that claim.
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  And then there's you, Blake. You and Jenkins claimed you weren't close,
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  yet your texts tell a different story, especially this one. He knows, I can tell.
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  He keeps looking at me so seriously, and then I can tell he wants to say something to you.
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  What were you so afraid Jenner knew? Blake's face flushes and his look of panic returns.
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  Jenkins has no reaction at all. He's decided to let the detectives flounder
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  around. They are fishing and he is determined not to get baited.
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  It was nothing, just stupid stuff.
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  Stupid stuff? Or something more? Because it sure sounds like you were worried
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  Jenner might say something that could change everything.
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  Jenkins do you want to help your acquaintance out here we
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  recovered the next text where you wrote to blake no it's
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  not that it's something else i swear jenner already
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  knew i told him and he's never said a word it's not that that alone tells me
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  there is a big secret and it also tells me there's another secret blake remains
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  silent his eyes locked on the floor jenkins is making a strange,
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  low-pitched moaning sound, it seems involuntary and doesn't really sound human.
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  Blake, why don't you share the text you wrote Jenkins in response?
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  Blake is trembling and also violently shaking his head.
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  If she didn't know better, McAllister would worry he was having a seizure.
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  But no, it was nerves. She had warned the teens today would be hard.
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  They just didn't fathom, I suppose.
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  I know you remember, Blake. I can read it. But I would rather everyone hear it from you.
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  Just kill me now. What's happening? Blake what? Just kill me now.
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  Someone who goes into a room talking about death and comes out with someone
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  dead in that same room. Come on, guys.
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  My partner's theory rings true here. Detective Rodriguez thinks either Blake
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  decided killing Jenner was his only way to guarantee his silence,
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  or Jenkins killed Jenner to keep Blake from killing himself. So concerning.
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  Blake's text reads, Whatever it meant at the time, the sentiment is raw now,
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  as Blake reiterates the words. He is broken.
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  Jenkins isn't too far behind him, heading straight for a death plunge into total despair.
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  Maya is tense, edgy, and on the verge of hysterics herself.
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  Myers is watching as if viewing the latest movie, suspenseful drama about to
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  morph into a horror flick.
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  Why is he smiling? Well, Rodriguez, your ideas are definitely striking a chord with these guys.
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  What else you got for me? Uncanny, right?
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  McAllister has just unhinged an entire room full of people. Well,
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  we did predict an explosion.
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  Anyway, what's even more surreal is the way McAllister and Rodriguez are carrying
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  on as if nothing has happened.
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  At least we've discovered one truth so far. McAllister is a formidable interrogator.
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  Now it's Rodriguez's time to shine. I got plenty more physical evidence,
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  but first let's clear up the fake story that none of you can remember what order you entered the room.
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  That's just pure BS. We could figure it out from your interview,
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  so we know you remember. Maybe you're all in on it.
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  Maybe I ought to just head out to my desk and write up the arrest papers for all of you right now.
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  Where's he going? He can't. He hasn't read us our rights.
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  Detective Rodriguez. is not playing, McAllister hands out water bottles to everyone
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  and steps back to assess the damage.
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  Mission accomplished thus far. They all understand there's no place to hide.
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  Detective, are we all suspects? I've told you.
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  Witnesses, but now maybe persons of interest. We just want the truth to get
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  justice for your friend, Jenner.
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  Blake, I'm glad that water revived you some. You'll need your wits about you
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  for this next part. Amazing.
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  McAllister is playing good cop, bad cop all on her own. Looks like Rodriguez
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  will be sticking with bad cop.
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  She glances at Jenkins, who has his back to everyone. He may be protesting the
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  carnage or simply withdrawing altogether.
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  She had hoped yesterday she had prepared him to come clean with her for his
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  father's sake, if nothing else.
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  So far, he is digging his heels in.
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  Just then, Ramirez steps back in. Four sheets of paper in his hand.
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  He sets them on the table and hands them each a pen.
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  Here we go. I'm mirandizing all of you. Maya, you want your parents? No, sir. No.
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  All right, listen up. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say
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  can be used against you in court.
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  You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions.
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  You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning.
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  If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish.
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  If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present,
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  you have the right to stop answering at any time.
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  If you have questions, ask now. If you understand, sign the paper.
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  I'd like to move on if everyone is ready. I've got a lot to cover.
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  We can ask for a solicitor now. Is that how this works? You may. Are you asking?
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  No. Anyone else asking to lawyer up? They all shake their heads no,
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  looking at each other anxiously.
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  It appears no one wants to look guilty to their friends.
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  McAllister's tactic is working.
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  Let's talk about the escape room. We're trying to establish the order in which
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  you exited, even though you all claim to forget.
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  Blake and Jenkins came out first, though I don't know who was first and who was second.
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  But Jenkins admits he was relieved to see Maya exit because he knew she was scared.
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  And when Maya exited, Blake was there too, I know, because Maya mentioned seeing
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  him with a weird look on his face.
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  So that means Myers had to be last.
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  So now I want to hear from you the order you entered. Can we try this together?
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  I'm skeptical that nobody recalls this. But here's the other part that doesn't add up.
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  None of you claim to have seen each other inside. How is that possible?
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  The room goes still the teens exchanging nervous glances at least they are looking
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  at each other now even though it's with guilt or suspicion depending on the person.
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  I i don't remember seeing anyone we all split up so quickly but i think i went
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  in first jenner wanted me to he didn't like that i was scared and meyer said
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  just use the flashlight I gave you.
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  If you're ahead of everyone, the light won't bother anyone. So I went in against my will alone.
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  I just wanted to make sure Maya was okay. I went in right after her.
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  Looks like Jenkins is up to answering questions again, as long as they aren't high pressure.
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  He's also back on his protecting Maya kick.
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  McAllister hopes to keep him opened up. When he shuts down, it feels like a roadblock to the truth.
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  Myers and I were the last two left. Jenner said he wanted to go last,
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  so I went in, and then it must have been Myers, but I never saw him.
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  So, Maya, Jenkins, Blake, Myers, Jenner, agreed?
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  Good. And yet, no one saw Jenner after that? Not even in passing?
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  That seems unlikely. Almost impossible.
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  I can understand not hearing each other from room to room. Eddie played us the audio.
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  It was quite loud. The rooms were somewhat soundproof so the different tracks
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  could play without interference.
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  But obviously not totally soundproof, so I'll ask now.
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  You say you didn't see each other. I don't buy it. But did anybody hear each other?
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  Maybe we were just focused on the game. It's easy to get lost in those rooms.
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  And like you said, you can't hear anything with the music and voice track they
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  have playing in the rooms.
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  Anyway, we were alone. What kind of noise would we make? We had nobody to talk to.
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  You say maybe you were all focused on the game and saw nothing, heard nothing.
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  I say maybe some of you are lying. And Myers, what good is it to avoid the obvious?
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  Any of you could have seen or heard the murder.
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  It's a possibility. Nobody is admitting to it yet, but it could be.
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  And then the even more obvious, one of you is a murderer, right?
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  So why is everyone lying still? But it doesn't matter because it's the physical
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  evidence that will reveal the truth.
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  Detective Ramirez has been waiting patiently. The first thing he lays on the
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  table is a clear evidence bag containing a roll. of black duct tape.
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  Nobody utters a sound, but all eyes are on the tape.
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  Here's the tape used on Jenner. Anyone recognize it? Well, your buddy Eddie
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  at the front desk recognized it.
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  It's the color and brand they keep at the front counter of Escape Haven.
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  They use it for quick temporary repairs.
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  It was wrapped around Jenner's wrists and ankles, along with zip ties.
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  He was bound, rendering him helpless. It also covered his mouth and nose,
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  keeping him quiet and suffocating him.
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  So all I have to do is show you the video of who swiped this off the counter,
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  right? There's a camera up front.
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  Yes, detective, I told you you needed good luck. Catching one of us on camera
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  taking the duct tape is good luck, right? A smoking gun.
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  Right, you are. So who wants to step forward now? Who will we see on camera?
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  Don't look at me, I didn't swipe on me.
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  Correct, all of you are correct. The video doesn't show anyone taking the tape,
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  but it's also kept in a supply box inside the escape room. Anyone know where that is?
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  It's on the platform at the top of the black ladder. Whoever knew that has visited
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  the escape room before, and whoever knew that also killed Jenner.
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  Black duct tape is sold everywhere that doesn't seem conclusive to me.
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  I agree. I mean, that's circumstantial. I found this role under Jenna's body.
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  There was no role from the toolbox in the castle escape room.
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  Detective Ramirez picks up the evidence bag and hurries out of the room,
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  leaving McAllister smiling and the four kids stunned.
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  Nobody says a word. Did he just say he knows who killed Jenna?
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  Or, no, he didn't actually say it.
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  A little dazed and a little confused is just how Ramirez wanted to leave them.
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  They would be less careful.
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  He quickly steps back into the room, holding a clear evidence bag containing the knife.
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  This knife, we thought it might have been a prop, but it's not.
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  Detective McAllister used a brand new informational search technology called
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  Google Lens right on her iPhone.
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  Answers truly are at our fingertips these days. It's a Sheffield knife stamped
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  with a rose emblem used on knives from 1973 onward. This is no ordinary prop.
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  It's a real weapon, and it was used to kill Jenner.
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  Just like when they discovered Jenner's body, the room falls silent.
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  All are holding their breath, the weight of the evidence sinking in.
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  This is the real precipice, and there's no escape.
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  The fingerprints on this knife will tell us who the killer is,
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  and there will be no room for doubt.
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  They release their breath in what sounds like a collective sigh.
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  The tension in the room is suffocating, each of the teens frozen in place,
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  hardly daring to breathe.
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  The atmosphere could be cut with a knife. That knife.
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  McAllister has to hold back a very inappropriate grin when that pun crosses
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  her mind. She can't help it.
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  The feeling of cracking a case, a murder case especially, is euphoric.
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  She can't wait to say it out loud. This whodunit is about to turn into a you-done-it
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  when she points her finger directly at the stone-cold killer.
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  She shakes her head, clearing her thoughts. Is she thinking in wordplay and
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  riddles because this is the escape room murder case?
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  Not really. It's just the mind of a brilliant detective at work making intricate
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  connections constantly.
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  It's how her brain is wired.
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  Episode 6 is history. The truth is so close I can almost taste it.
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  And it tastes like sweet justice for Jenner.
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  Think you got this case solved? Don't bet your life on it.
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  The lies and secrets are still unraveling. And it's never too late for a twist.
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  Join me next time for Episode 7 as we finally close in on the murderer.
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  And remember, nothing is ever exactly as it seems.
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  Music.
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  How do you feel after an episode of Slice of Crimes? One step closer to the truth?
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  If you haven't cracked the case yet, no worries, you're not alone.
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  But before you go, remember, the mystery doesn't end here.
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  Enjoyed this episode? Show some love. Share Slice of Crimes with your friends,
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  family, or even that neighbor who's a little too interested in true crime.
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  Oh wait, that's probably you.
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  Your five-star ratings and killer reviews help keep these investigations coming,
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  and I couldn't do it without you.
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  Got your own theories? Burning questions? Or maybe a case you think I should
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  tackle next? I'm all ears.
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  Send your ideas and suggestions my way. The more you engage,
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  the sharper my sleuthing gets.
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  So until next time, fellow sleuths, keep your wits about you.
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  Stay curious. Stay sharp.
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  You never know what the next slice of crime will serve up. And trust me,
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  you won't want to miss it.
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  Infinite thanks for listening today and for tuning in next week.