Peter Davis interview

Thursday, January 4, 2024 – 11:45 a.m.

Peter Davis' sister, Joy, was the woman who reportedly sold the so-called Elvis letters to Jared Plunk. Davis' wife, Sonya, lost her job as keynote speaker at the conference to Jared Plunk.

Detectives Murphy and Parker interviewed Mr. Davis at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Peter Davis

Detective Parker: We appreciate you coming in today, Mr. Davis. Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Peter Davis: My name is Peter Davis, and I live at 622 Lincoln Avenue. I don't know if I can be of much help since I didn't know Jared Plunk well.

Detective Murphy: We understand that, Mr. Davis, but you do know why we asked to speak with you today, don't you?

Peter Davis: I assume it's because of the relationship between Plunk and my sister, Joy.

Detective Parker: Relationship?

Peter Davis: I don't mean relationship in the way you're implying, detective. I was referring to the fact that Plunk got those letters he'd been bragging about from Joy.

Detective Murphy: What can you tell us about the letters, Mr. Davis?

Peter Davis: Not much, I'm afraid. Elvis was Joy's obsession, not mine. She pretended to be interested in my comic books, and I pretended to be thrilled by her Elvis memorabilia. The difference was that I outgrew superheroes about the same time I started noticing girls, while Joy's love for Elvis persisted. She rattled on about those letters, but I never really listened. I wish I had.

Detective Murphy: If your sister treasured the letters so much, why did she sell them to Mr. Plunk?

Peter Davis: Unfortunately, Joy had poor money management skills. She'd fallen on exceptionally hard times this past year but refused to let me help her financially. Joy was very proud. 

Detective Murphy: So she sold the letters because she needed money?

Peter Davis: For months, she'd been selling pieces of her collection to fellow Elvis fans. Jared Plunk claimed to be just that—a devoted fan of The King who wanted the letters for his private collection. It wasn't until after Joy had sold Plunk the letters that she discovered what he planned to do with them.

Detective Parker: Your sister regretted selling him the letters?

Peter Davis: That's a bit of an understatement, detective. Jared Plunk was a liar who cheated Joy out of those letters. She was devastated when she learned about his book.

Detective Parker: Sounds like a motive for murder to me

Peter Davis: I don't know where you've been getting your information, detectives, but I'm afraid it's incredibly incomplete. My sister committed suicide weeks ago. She couldn't possibly have murdered Jared Plunk.

Detective Murphy: We're aware of your sister's death, Mr. Davis, and you have our condolences. We were thinking more along the lines of the vengeful brother who kills the man that he believes to be responsible for his sister's death.

Peter Davis: That's absurd! I may not have liked Jared Plunk. I may not even be sorry that he's dead. But I didn't kill him.

Detective Parker: Do you know who did?

Peter Davis: No, I do not. Jared Plunk seemed to me a man with no scruples when it came to getting what he wanted, so it wouldn't surprise me to learn that he made several enemies in his life. However, I would be very surprised to learn that anyone I know is a murderer. Now, I believe I've been very good about answering your questions, and I've told you everything I know about Joy's letters and Jared Plunk's acquisition of those letters. If you don't have any more questions about my sister, I'd like to leave.

Detective Murphy: We don't have any more questions about your sister, but we are curious about your other connection to Jared Plunk: your wife.

Peter Davis: Again, there's not much to tell, detective. Sonya was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the conference. When Plunk went public about possessing the letters, Sonya was replaced.

Detective Parker: Replaced as the keynote speaker by the man who had swindled her sister-in-law out of one of her most prized possessions. She must have been furious.

Peter Davis: Sonya was upset at first, but if you think she murdered a man because she wasn't able to give a speech at some conference, you're mistaken. My wife had nothing to do with the death of Jared Plunk, and neither did I. Now, I really need to get back to work, detectives.

Detective Parker: Where were you when Jared Plunk was killed?

Peter Davis: Asleep in bed with my wife. If there's nothing else?

Detective Murphy: That'll be all at this time, but we may need to speak with you again as our investigation continues. You understand?

Peter Davis: I can't think of any reason why you'd need anything more from me, but if you think of something else, you know how to reach me. Good day, detectives.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Davis.

Interview ended – 12:03 p.m.