Latest / Slice of Crimes | Serial Crime Story & Audio Drama / No Escape Episode Three: The Interrogation of Blake Dunstan

Transcript

No Escape Episode Three: The Interrogation of Blake Dunstan · 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 is ever heard exactly as it seems. Sam's.
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  Slice of Crimes.
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  Infinite Banks. No Escape.
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  Episode 3. The Interrogation of Blake Dunstan.
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  Welcome back to Slice of Crimes. I'm KC, your resident Slice Sleuth.
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  The last episode shed some light on Maya Canton, Jenner's longtime girlfriend.
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  Did she clear things up or just confuse matters?
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  Today, we're turning our attention to Blake Dunstan, the best friend of our victim, Jenner Smith.
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  Blake is a star athlete, much like Jenner, but beneath the surface,
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  there's a tangled web of rivalry, half-truths, jealousy, and secrets.
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  How deep did his resentment run?
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  Was this a matter of friendly rivalry or deadly opposition?
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  Let's dive into the interrogation that might reveal more than Blake intends.
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  Detective Sarah McAllister sits across from Blake in the Stark interrogation room.
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  Her partner on this case, Detective Mike Ramirez, has finished up with the first
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  few surveillance tapes and is standing watch over the interview behind the two-way
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  glass, arms crossed, his brow furrowed as usual when he is focused.
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  He's got a basic theory in mind, something straightforward, a motive for everyone.
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  He is waiting for one of them to trip up.
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  But McAllister is looking for something deeper. As she begins her questioning,
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  Ramirez listens intently, ready to jump in if he feels something doesn't add up.
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  He knows that even a good liar can have a tell, and he is especially adept at
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  detecting even the most subtle tell.
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  He'll be scrutinizing Blake's every move.
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  Blake, you had a chance to clean up, but did you bring the clothes you were wearing yesterday?
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  Blake hands over a plastic grocery bag tied in a knot. Yes.
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  My black Syracuse sweatshirt, black joggers, white socks. Well,
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  they're sort of red now. And my vans.
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  Everything's bloody now someone knocked me over and I slipped in the blood.
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  I think Myers did. I don't remember. I was too freaked out that I was suddenly
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  swimming in my friend's, in Jenner's blood.
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  Yeah, you kids had a damn dance party around your friend's body before we got
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  there. But I still need the clothes. They're evidence.
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  And Blake's eyes grow wide. He glances at the bag he handed her.
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  What does she mean that's evidence?
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  His thoughts are racing. He's never been prone to panic until now.
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  Blake, I understand you and Jenner were close. Best friends, right?
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  Yeah, we've been friends since middle school. Played lacrosse together,
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  hung out all the time. Tell me about yesterday. What was the plan?
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  Jenner set it up. He wanted to do the escape room, said it'd be fun.
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  He was always looking for ways to compete, to prove he was the best.
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  And the money for Eddie? Was that Jenner's idea? We all put in money,
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  ten bucks. Jenner didn't like the idea of teams.
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  Said it'd be more fun if we all went in solo.
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  So we paid the kid at the front to bend the rules.
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  Did you notice anything different about Jenner? Anything else?
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  Yeah, I did. He wasn't his usual self. Normally, Jenner's the loudest guy in
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  the room, always talking, always showing off.
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  But yesterday, he was kind of quiet, almost like he was thinking about something heavy.
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  And he kept giving Jenkins these looks, like they had this twin thing going on, you know?
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  Even though they were so opposite, they were identical twins.
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  So I think there's telepathy or something between them.
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  It was weird, but then we split up to play. So I don't know if he ever even talked to him again.
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  You know it's weird to think of that now. None of us knew it would be the last
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  time we would get to say anything to him.
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  Well, that's not quite true. Someone absolutely did know.
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  And Ramirez and I, we are well on our way to identifying who that is, Blake.
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  What I'm trying to understand is why would Jenner want to talk to him there?
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  They live together. They can talk anytime.
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  Did something happen on the way or when he got there? I don't know,
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  but they didn't come together. Jenner came with Maya. So maybe something happened.
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  I don't think so. I mean, we were all together. I didn't notice anything wrong.
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  I don't even know if Jenkins knew.
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  But I think he did, because he was also kind of staring at Jenner.
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  That's pretty confusing, Blake. How about this? Let's talk about Jenkins. How was Jenner with him?
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  Jenner was tough on Jenkins. He'd joke about the identical twin thing,
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  like, do we look identical? Do we act identical? It's a myth.
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  And then just laugh at him. But it wasn't just that.
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  Jenner could be a real jerk sometimes. He never let up. Always had to rub it
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  in that he was the one going to Duke. Like it made him better.
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  The truth is, I was the one with the grades for Duke, not Jenner.
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  He had talent, sure. But he was all about showmanship.
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  That always worked for him. And Jenkins, how did he take it?
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  He never bragged about his achievements. Jenkins didn't say a word about getting
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  into the Colorado School of Mines on a full scholarship.
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  That's a huge deal, but Jenner never appreciated it.
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  He was so dense he thought it was a big diss that Jenkins wasn't even leaving the state for school.
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  Did Jenner know about Jenkins, about his personal life?
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  They're brothers, twins, but did they share everything or keep their personal
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  stuff to themselves? What do you mean?
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  Was there something Jenner might have found out recently that could have changed
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  the way he treated Jenkins or you?
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  Blake, I'm asking all you kids this.
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  There's something you all seem to know that nobody wants to say.
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  If Jenner's dead because he was holding information, it's going to come out.
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  You were his best friend. If he wasn't confiding in his brother,
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  I would say it would be you.
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  Blake's face flushes slightly and he quickly shakes his head.
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  No, not that I know of. We didn't talk about stuff like that.
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  Guys don't get so deep all the time, and I'm telling you, especially Jenner
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  didn't. And maybe Jenkins would, but how would I know?
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  I just don't see Jenner caring about any secrets.
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  He'd say that's girl stuff.
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  Girl stuff, as in Maya? What about Maya, Blake? I've heard Jenner was planning
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  to break up with her. Something about her diving?
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  Yeah. Jenner was a real shit sometimes when it came to Maya.
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  He wanted her to quit diving, said she was too focused on it, and not on him.
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  He even started flirting with other girls right in front of her,
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  introducing her as his brother's friend instead of his girlfriend.
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  It was messed up. She was hurt, but she told him she'd never quit.
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  I don't know what that meant for them, but Jenner was all about control.
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  If he couldn't have it, he'd make sure everyone knew he was going to be the one in charge.
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  I have never seen him submit to anyone, really.
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  That's why he is an epic lacrosse player.
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  But relationships, they just went one way. End of story.
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  And you? How did you feel about all of this? You must have had some thoughts
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  about Jenner's behavior.
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  I was pissed, all right? But not for the reasons you might think.
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  Jenner was my best friend, but he wasn't easy to be around.
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  He rubbed everything in your face, like him going to Duke and me to Syracuse.
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  But I didn't care about that. I'm happy going to Syracuse. I had the grades
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  and talent for Duke, but Jenner, he just had that way about him.
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  Everyone thought he was so great, but they didn't see how he really was.
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  You mentioned Jenner being tough on Jenkins. You seem to stand up for Jenkins
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  more than you do for Jenner. Why is that?
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  Jenkins is a good guy. He doesn't deserve the crap Jenner gave him.
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  We're not really friends, but I respect him. He's got his head on straight.
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  Jenner, he could be a real asshole sometimes, especially to Jenkins.
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  I guess I just felt bad for him.
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  And your relationship with Jenkins? Anything more than just respect?
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  No, we're not close. Like I said, we're not really friends. So much animosity
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  for your supposed best friend, and yet you seem to have a soft spot for Jenkins.
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  Are you sure there's nothing more to this story, Blake?
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  I've got nothing to hide. Jenner was my friend, but I didn't always like him.
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  Doesn't mean I'd kill him.
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  But you were the one who had the grades and talent for Duke.
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  You admit Jenner rubbed things in everyone's face.
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  You also know a lot about Maya and Jenner's relationship.
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  Why are you so involved if you don't care?
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  Because I cared about my friend, all right? Maybe he was a jerk,
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  but he was still my friend. I didn't kill him.
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  Blake's face hardens into a grimace. His fists clench.
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  He's leaning toward McAllister now. It's not getting past her that he's displaying aggression, anger.
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  He's trying to conceal it. Could he snap?
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  What is it about just discussing friends that create such hostility?
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  What's pent up inside this kid?
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  Speaking of Maya, she had something to say about you.
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  She said you gave her a punch card. So, you've been to the escape room, I guess, then?
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  Blake's eyes flash as he fights to control his anger.
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  Ramirez has a keen eye for suppressed aggression, and alarms are going off.
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  Ramirez can see the overt signs, of course. But he's also identified Blake's tell.
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  His clenching teeth and jawline are as good as any lie detector.
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  What did she say? She's lying. I saw her pull the card out of her purse.
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  She even dropped something, a hairbrush, I think, out of her purse when she did.
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  And Myers picked it up and shoved it back in her purse.
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  I've never been to the escape room. Not that one or any.
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  Right, Blake. Well then, it being your first time, what did you think of the
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  room when you got inside?
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  I thought it was confusing at first. But then I got into it.
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  I found a secret shortcut through a bookcase. It was unlocked and I got to skip a room.
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  I locked it behind me so nobody else could use it. It was in the third room,
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  but it took me to the fifth room, I think. Yeah.
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  So I was almost finished. And
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  I was thinking how mad Jenner was gonna be because I would beat him out.
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  So you're saying you knew Jenner was behind you when you got to that bookcase?
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  Hmm. And you didn't see him, though, right? But it locked from inside so you could go back.
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  That was possible, too. Why would I go back?
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  And... Yes, Jenner was behind me. Logically, I assumed.
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  I mean, I didn't know. You're right, because I never saw him.
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  But you're twisting things. Are you trying to say I ambushed Jenner and killed him? I did not.
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  You placed yourself there, Blake. It's no secret Ramirez and I are looking for
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  motive, means, and opportunity.
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  We've discussed your motives. As for means, you're an athlete,
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  that is a given. And you just admitted perfect opportunity.
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  Interesting word choice, too.
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  Ambushed. We were already thinking that was the case here. So you tell me,
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  Blake, what should I be thinking right now?
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  You should be thinking that's a lame motive, and everybody had an opportunity,
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  and I, I, are you arresting me?
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  Blake is standing, looking as if ready to bolt.
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  McAllister wonders if he'd be a runner if he were guilty. That motive is lame, she thinks.
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  Simple rivalry, but not unheard of.
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  The thing is, she's sure he is hiding something. And that something very well
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  could prove to be that actual motive.
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  Listen, Blake, you seem to have the inside scoop on everyone Jenner,
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  Jenkins, and even Maya So tell me who was friends with Myers.
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  Truthfully, none of us He's related to Jenner and Jenkins His mom is their aunt And, I guess, Mr.
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  Smith's sister Jenner and Jenkins always included him Because they would do
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  anything to make sure their dad doesn't get hurt anymore You know,
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  since their mom died I didn't mind him I don't know about Maya,
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  she only talks to Jenner when we're out like that.
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  But he was okay in our group. Never bothered us, really.
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  Let's back up here a minute, Blake. Maya only talks to Jenner?
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  What do you mean? I mean that, actually.
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  She talks to us in the car and like at home or whatever. I mean,
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  it isn't weird like that.
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  She just only talks to Jenner in public places, I guess.
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  I mean, I don't think there were rules. It was just the way they were.
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  Why didn't you mention this when I asked about everyone's relationship with Jenner?
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  I don't know. Because I'm used to it. I guess it's normal to me now.
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  Maya likes to, uh, liked to please Jenner.
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  She didn't want to seem like she was, you know, flirting.
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  I told you, Jenner liked attention. And if you were going to be his friend or
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  his girlfriend, or I guess even his brother, that was the deal.
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  You defer to him. We all did in our own ways.
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  And Myers, he understood this or went along with it.
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  Him being new, he might not get it right away or maybe he didn't like it. What was that like?
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  I think he got it pretty quickly. But I got the feeling Myers wasn't big on
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  following the crowd. So that might have challenged Jenner.
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  The way they operate with their own rules, I guess you'd call it.
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  Because Myers, he said he had to take care of himself and do whatever to survive
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  without his mom because she...
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  I don't know. She was not a good mom. And then she abandoned Myers.
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  And Jenner... Well, he lost his mom too. I mean, she died. So they have that in common. But yeah.
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  Maybe Jenner didn't like Myers because he didn't fit his mold.
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  But I never saw them argue or even have words. So maybe it was Jenner's way
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  to just kind of ignore him.
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  And Myers always acts like he doesn't care. Nothing bothers him.
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  So Jenner had rules for his friends? No, not his rule. Just the way it all goes, naturally.
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  Like I said, normal to us. He didn't force us or her. He just kind of naturally dominates everyone.
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  McAllister felt like she'd struck gold. Possibilities flooded her mind.
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  Was Jenner jealous, thinking Maya was flirting with Jenkins?
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  Or was it Jenkins making a move on her?
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  It could be payback for Jenner introducing her as just his brother's friend, as Blake suggested.
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  Jenner clearly had more control over the group than she initially realized,
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  and she sensed she was inching closer to the real motive.
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  Her only problem, whose motive?
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  One thing was certain, these relationships were far more tangled than anyone was letting on.
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  All right, Blake, you're free to go, but don't go far. We better be able to
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  find you as soon as we need you again.
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  We are not finished. You're far from off the hook.
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  And Blake, the truth always comes out. It really does.
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  As McAllister mentally reviews the interview, she's struck by Blake's contradictions.
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  His loyalty to Jenner, yet his clear disdain.
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  And what about Jenkins? Why is Blake so defensive when it comes to him?
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  He seems conflicted about Maya, too. And how does Myers fit into this group? Or does he?
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  She can tell. Myers is a tough nut to crack, but she intends to break him wide open.
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  He's going to have an interesting POV as the new kid in town observing these forever friends.
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  Detective Ramirez passes Blake
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  in the doorway as he heads into the room to download with McAllister.
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  He pointedly gives Blake a stern look when he practices just for these occasions.
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  Then he smiles contentedly at Detective McAllister They both saw Blake shudder,
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  I'll tell you what I think It's too close to call between him and the girl They
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  both lied and they both held back Can't wait for the next one,
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  Mike, I'm not going to argue with you there I know how good you are at deciphering
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  body language So far, stories don't match well But I have some ideas on how
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  to get past that Once I've heard what the next two have to say.
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  Detective Ramirez starts nodding. He knows her specialty is calling suspects to the carpet.
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  He's not worried one bit. Blake Dunstan? The loyal best friend?
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  Or a man on the edge hiding secrets that could unravel the whole case?
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  As the investigation deepens, the detectives will have to sort through the lies
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  and half-truths to find out who really had the motive to kill Jenner Smith.
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  Episode three is a wrap. Anyone seem suspicious? It's those gut feelings real
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  sleuths pay attention to, right?
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  Join me next time. I guarantee to uncover more about the tangled relationships
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  and hidden motives that led to this brutal murder.
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  Remember, nothing is ever exactly as it seems.
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  How do you feel after an episode of Slice of Crimes?
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  One step closer to the truth? If you haven't cracked the case yet,
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  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. Stay curious.
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  Stay sharp. You never know what the next slice of crime will serve up.
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  And trust me, you won't want to miss it.
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  Infinite thanks for listening today and for tuning in next week.