Alison Plunk interview #2

Friday, January 5, 2024 – 3:00 p.m.

Alison Plunk was the victim's wife.

Detectives Murphy and Parker re-interviewed her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective T. Parker
• Alison Plunk

Detective Parker: Mrs. Plunk, thank you for coming in. We have a few more questions about your husband and the conference.

Alison Plunk: I don't know how I can help, detective, but I'll try. I just want to put it all behind me now.

Detective Parker: Did you have any contact with Sonya Davis, the woman who was originally scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the conference?

Alison Plunk: Sonya? Well, I don't know her real well, but we did meet for coffee when I first arrived. I saw her crying and tried to console her.

Detective Parker: Did you know who she was?

Alison Plunk: At first, I didn't, but she was so distraught. Then I realized she was the woman that Jared had replaced. I felt terrible and told her so. She was furious, which I understood, and I told her I was sorry about the whole thing.

Detective Parker: Why would you side with her over your own husband?

Alison Plunk: Why wouldn't I? I knew what kind of man my husband was. Besides, Sonya and I had a lot in common, being that we were just two more women that Jared had stepped on.

Detective Parker: Did your husband have any contact with Sonya at the conference that you know of?

Alison Plunk: Yes, he did, I'm sorry to say. The night before Jared— well, we were in our room, getting ready to go to the cocktail party, when someone knocked on the door. Jared answered it, then said he'd be right back and went outside. I peeked through the peephole and saw it was Sonya. She started yelling, and Jared kept telling her to keep it down so the other guests wouldn't hear. She just got madder.

Detective Murphy: You could hear them clearly?

Alison Plunk: Detective, hotel rooms are not exactly soundproof. I was standing right behind the door, and they were yelling pretty loud.

Detective Murphy: What were they arguing about?

Alison Plunk: Most of it was about the conference. She said he was wrong to have bullied his way in as the keynote speaker. Jared kept saying how important it was, that she must understand what it would mean to the music world. She kept insisting that he show her the proof.

Detective Murphy: What do you mean?

Alison Plunk: I remember her telling him, "You're nothing but a fake. There are no letters. If there are, prove it." He kept telling her that she'd find out, that everyone would find out at his presentation.

Detective Parker: How did she take that?

Alison Plunk: I'm not sure. She seemed to get quieter. She stopped yelling. All I remember is her saying something about people like him always getting what they deserve. Then Jared came back in the room. I asked him what happened, but he just said it was nothing, and we went to the cocktail party.

Detective Murphy: Why didn't you tell us about this argument earlier?

Alison Plunk: It was only an argument. Should I tell you about every time my husband made someone mad? If I did that, we'd be here for days.

Detective Parker: Did Jared keep any copies of these letters he claimed to have?

Alison Plunk: I would think he did. Jared saved almost everything. If it was important, he usually had backup files. But to tell you the truth, I really don't know. Everything happened so fast. The speaking engagement came on so suddenly. I never saw Jared so nervous and excited. I don't know if it even occurred to him to make extra copies. But like I said, I can't say for sure.

Detective Murphy: If your husband did make copies of the letters, where would they be now?

Alison Plunk: I really don't know. He was so secretive about them that he probably hid them somewhere. I couldn't begin to guess where.

Detective Murphy: Somewhere at your home?

Alison Plunk: I doubt it. He'd want to put them somewhere that no one else could get to them, even me.

Detective Murphy: Like where? A hole in the ground? A safe deposit box? What?

Alison Plunk: I'm sorry. I really have no idea.

Detective Parker: Mrs. Plunk, do you know Yvonne Boyd?

Alison Plunk: Of course. Her husband was Jared's business partner for a while.

Detective Parker: So your husband knew her too?

Alison Plunk: Yes.

Detective Parker: What can you tell us about their relationship?

Alison Plunk: I don't know. They were friends, I guess, as much as Taylor and I were before the… falling out, but— no. You're not saying what I think you're saying, are you?

Detective Parker: I'm not sure. What do you think I'm saying?

Alison Plunk: You're saying Jared slept with her, too, aren't you? Bastard.

Detective Parker: You were never suspicious about their relationship?

Alison Plunk: No. I thought Yvonne was smarter than that. Is she okay? I should call her.

Detective Murphy: She slept with your husband. That doesn't bother you?

Alison Plunk: Detective, my husband was an a*****e. He slept with anyone who stayed in one place long enough. He could be incredibly charming when he wanted to be. I don't blame Yvonne. I feel sorry for her.

Detective Murphy: Do you think she could've killed Jared?

Alison Plunk: I doubt it. She's not that kind of person.

Detective Parker: What about Taylor? Do you think he could've killed your husband?

Alison Plunk: Did he know about … what Jared did to Yvonne?

Detective Murphy: For the purposes of this conversation, let's say he did.

Alison Plunk: In that case, I guess it's possible. I don't think he would have because it just doesn't seem like him, but I can't say he's not capable of it, especially since it involved Yvonne.

Detective Parker: Okay, Mrs. Plunk, thank you for being so direct. I think that's all we have for today. Thanks again for your time. We'll be in touch.

Interview ended – 3:24 p.m.