Caught in the Crossfire ↳ KNIVES OUT

Chapter 3

Linda Drysdale sits opposite Lieutenant Elliott and Trooper Wagner, with Benoit Blanc sitting in the background.

"We are just going to reintroduce ourselves as a formality. I'm Lieutenant Elliott, and this is Trooper Wagner. Now, I'm going to record, just makes it easier." States Lieutenant Elliott before reading his notes. "Alright. We're here with Linda Drysdale, nee Thrombey, Harlan Thrombey's eldest daughter, in discussing the events the night of his demise, one week ago, November 8th."

Sympathetically, Trooper Wagner expresses his condolences, "We're sorry for your loss."

Linda, staring blankly at the men before her, says, "Thank you that means a lot."

"So we understand that night the family had gathered to celebrate your father's eighty fifth birthday." Lieutenant Elliott states, looking to Linda for confirmation.

"Yes."

"How was that?" He continues.

"The party? Pre my dads death? Oh, it was great." Linda says unenthusiastically.

"Did anyone besides the family show up?" Elliott questions.

"Uh. There was Fran, the housekeeper. Marta, Harlan's nurse, good girl, hard worker. Family's from Ecuador. And Wanetta - Greatnana, Harlan's Mom." Linda responds, a distant look in her eyes as if reliving the events of that night.

In surprise, Elliott asks, "His mom? How old is she?"

"We have no idea." Linda simply replies.

"Okay, your son, Ransom, was he there as well?" Elliott asks.

"Yes but he left early." Is her response.

"And Rosie? Your daughter? She was there, too?" Is his next question.

"She adopted." Linda says, before rushing out, "Not that it matters! We all love her. But yes, she was there. I didn't see her much that night, she was with Marta or Meg most of the time. I saw her say goodbye to Ransom on his way out, though."

"Are they close?" Linda looks confused, not understanding who the lieutenant was talking about. He elaborates. "Ransom and Rosie?"

"Oh, yeah. She's the only thing Ransom gives a damn about, and Rosie looks up to him like he's God's gift to the world." Linda says in exasperation.

Suddenly, the sound of a piano key is heard throughout the library. As if reminding him, Elliott carries on his questioning. "Right, did all four of you show up around the same time?"

"N..o, Richard came early to help the caterers set up." Linda nods, before adding on. "He brought Rosie with him."

Elliott continues his questioning by asking about Linda and Richards company, to which Linda sharply tells him that it's her company, that she built up from the ground. The Lieutenant asks about how close Linda was with Harlan, and she tells him about how the had their own secret way of communicating.

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Now it is Richard in the chair, opposite the three men in suits.

"Everyone idolises their dad, right?" Richard says, rhetorically.

"I don't know, do they? Does Rosie idolise you?" Elliott challenges.

"Well, I'd hope so. Although no one can compete with Ransom in her eyes." Richard rolls his eyes, almost jealously. "It's the best day of the week for her when Ransom comes over." Getting back on track, Richard responds to Elliott's first question." Very much not, don't know why I said that. But Linda does." Richard quickly amends.