He Was Obsessed with Her

Previously: The investigators chat with Dashiell Reilly and Mackenzie Zinn.

Photo and Graphic by Annie Wilson

10:06 AM - Sunday, November 2, 2014

Flood Mansion, Pacific Heights, San Francisco

Mark was beginning to feel impatient. He knew these interviews were good for gathering the backstory, but a part of him wanted to get right to the solution. He reminded himself that he needed to let the witnesses unwind the story. It was up to him, Jeannie, and Paco to wind it up again with the evidence later in the week. He reminded himself that this was important — important enough to give up a Sunday morning. 

“What do you think about talking to Tally next?” Jeannie asked. 

“Sure, why not? But…what are you thinking?” Jeannie was thoughtful, and exhaled slowly.

“I don’t know, actually.” She admitted slowly. “But she strikes me as the queen bee and I’d rather hear her version of things first so we can catch any discrepancies from the others.”

“Do you think she had it out for Alexa?”

“I don’t know…Can I just…” Jeannie began and then paused for a long moment, “Maybe I’m having some recovered memories by just being in this place, but in my experience, the girls could be worse bullies than the boys.” Mark felt her sigh next to him.

“She did slip up before -” Paco offered. “She said “she’s just getting us back” - she thought Alexa was pulling a prank on them. Why? What prank did they play on her?”

“I caught that slip-up too,” she looked at Paco, “she seemed convinced this was all fake.”

“Yeah, that was strange.” Mark looked between both of them. “Okay, I was thinking we need to get Seb Podesta in here, but let him sweat a little.” 

“Tally Briggs, please come in.” Jeannie said it from the doorway. The girl walked in, followed by the Dean that had left just a few minutes before. Mark thought she looked like one of those college girls who was born to be in the best sorority on campus: sleek, honey hair arranged but effortless, long lashes, puffy lips parted just so. She looked teary, which made her perfect beauty look somewhat human. In college, this would have prompted him to make an approach only to find his own head knocked off a second later just for trying. She was a dangerous type, and although young, Mark thought it likely that she already knew it.

With this in mind, he was especially business-like asking for her consent to download her phone, and with starting the recording.

Transcript of Interview Recording, November 2, 2014, 10:08AM

SFPD HAGEN: Tally, can you provide us with your date of birth? 

T. BRIGGS: January 17, 1997

SFPD HAGEN: So you’re almost 18. And you’re a senior?

T. BRIGGS: Yes.

SFPD HAGEN: At which school?

T. BRIGGS: This one, Holy Heart. Don’t you all have our files or something?

SFPD HAGEN: We do. But we need you to state things for the record. Okay?

T. BRIGGS: (slow response) Oh. Kay.

SFPD HAGEN: You’re a senior. Where are you planning to go next year?

T. BRIGGS: Princeton.

SFPD HAGEN: Impressive. What are you planning to study?

T. BRIGGS: Computer science and philosophy, with an emphasis on game theory.

SFPD HAGEN: Hmmm. They do go together don’t they? Computers and human thought.

T. BRIGGS: Computers are easy. You tell them what to do and they do it. It’s people that bring in all their emotions and reactions to things. So, you have to know how to preempt it. That’s all.

SFPD HAGEN: I would have thought you might go to Stanford for that then?

T. BRIGGS: Everyone in my family goes to Princeton.

SFPD HAGEN: Well, it definitely seems like you’ve earned it: AP in Calculus, Latin, and English - that’s a tough load.

T. BRIGGS: (no response)

SFPD HAGEN: Plus, you’re student body president, head of the chess club, and you play volleyball and field hockey. You’re busy. 

T. BRIGGS: And I have the Cotillion next month.

SFPD HAGEN: Oh, wonderful. Why Cotillion and not the Deb Ball¹ in June? 

T. BRIGGS: We all do the Cotillion - our family’s been here long enough. But I’ll do the Ball too.

SFPD HAGEN: Who will be your escort?

T. BRIGGS: Charlie Dagonet

SFPD HAGEN: Charlie, really?

T. BRIGGS: Of course. The Dagonets have been family friends for years.

SFPD HAGEN: Right. And what will you be wearing?

T. BRIGGS: Oscar de la Renta.

SFPD HAGEN: Beautiful. Congratulations.

T. BRIGGS: Thank you.

SFPD HAGEN: Now, I need to ask you about Friday.

T. BRIGGS: Go ahead.

SFPD HAGEN: What was your Halloween costume?

T. BRIGGS: Seriously? My costume? 

SFPD HAGEN: Yes.

T. BRIGGS: (audible sigh) I was a flapper like everyone else. 

SFPD HAGEN: Oh, right for the “Great Gatsby” theme. Can you describe your costume?

T. BRIGGS: I wore a silver-silk slip with this sheer sort of silver tank dress over it, with beads and fringe. Alexa made me a sort of headband from one of my bracelets - she threaded a ribbon through it so I could tie it on…

SFPD HAGEN: Were you close with Alexa? 

T. BRIGGS: What do you mean by close?

SFPD HAGEN: Friendly? Were you friends, how close of friends?

T. BRIGGS: We were friendly, but we didn’t go to the same school so I didn’t see her that much. She was nice. Always wanted to sew something or redesign something. She made some good knock-offs of some jackets and things - she had an eye. But it wasn’t really my kind of thing.

SFPD HAGEN: What do you mean by that? You appear to like nice clothes.

T. BRIGGS: Exactly. I can buy what I want. I don’t need some someone’s homespun experiment. 

SFPD HAGEN: Neither did Alexa. She did it for fun and to learn her craft. A hobby.

T. BRIGGS: I guess I don’t leave what I wear up to someone’s hobby.

SFPD HAGEN: Fair enough. So you weren’t that close with Alexa. When did you first meet her?

T. BRIGGS: Um…last January - kind of when everyone met her, I guess. Carolina brought her along to the big Xavier/Bishop basketball game. We all went together in the same car. It was the night she met Seb too.

SFPD HAGEN: That’s what we’ve been told. Did you see it happen?

T. BRIGGS: Sure. It was after they won and she was with all of us in the stands, and Seb made his way over to say hello to everyone and he kept looking at her. And then after, there was a little party at Lyon Street stairs and they met there. He was obsessed with her. Like, instantly.

SFPD HAGEN: And was she obsessed with him?

T. BRIGGS: I’m not sure. She seemed to like him, but I can’t say. They dated all last year.

SFPD HAGEN: What was that like, from your perspective?

T. BRIGGS: From my perspective? I mean, I don’t go to school with either of them, although I’ve known Seb a long time. I mean…it was, whatever. Kind of cute? New girl from nowhere swooping in and landing the star basketball player from day one? Yeah. It was some Hallmark Channel shit. 

SFPD HAGEN: Until…?

T. BRIGGS: I don’t know. I guess until sometime this summer?

SFPD HAGEN: Do you mean the Fourth of July party at Tripp Hartman’s Tahoe house? The party that we heard you attended, and where something happened that prompted their breakup? Would you care to tell us the story, Tally?

T. BRIGGS: I don’t know what happened. 

SFPD HAGEN: Something did happen though.

T. BRIGGS: I guess. She didn’t tell me what though. 

SFPD HAGEN: Because you weren’t close friends.

T. BRIGGS: (no response)

SFPD HAGEN: And Seb didn’t tell you anything either? After all you’ve known him longer.

T. BRIGGS: (sigh) I saw Seb later in the summer and he was still upset about it. He asked my advice on how to get back with Alexa. I asked him why he’d want to, and it seemed like for him it was a point of pride. Why would anyone break up with him? He’s gorgeous and kind of the king of the school. 

SFPD HAGEN: More than Dash Reilly? 

T. BRIGGS: Dash is Dash. They kind of go together, you know “Bash & Dash”. They’re both handsome, but Dash is more the charm, and Seb is more the….well, I won’t say brains, but he’s smart. They play off of each other. Like the Wonder Twins², you know? Stronger when they work together. They’re kind of a package deal. Maybe Alexa didn’t realize that. 

SFPD HAGEN: What do you mean?

T. BRIGGS: (deep exhalation) Rumor has it that Seb and Dash are into sharing. Like, they get a kick out of getting girls to do whatever they want because no one says no to them. Maybe Alexa found that out at Lake Tahoe? I don’t know. I’ve never dated either one.

SFPD HAGEN: Who would know?

T. BRIGGS: (giggle) Um, you should ask Jen Tyson. She knows all about what Seb likes. Dash too. She could give you a rundown on all of the guys. 

SFPD HAGEN: You don’t like Jen Tyson?

T. BRIGGS: What’s there to like? She was sweet when we were growing up, but since her parents’ divorced she’s gone off the deep. She’ll do anything for attention, especially sex stuff. I heard that was one of the reasons she was invited to July 4^th — otherwise no one would bother.

SFPD HAGEN: Okay, Tally, let’s leave July 4^th behind and focus on Friday night. What time did you arrive at Tripp Hartman’s house on Presidio Terrace?

T. BRIGGS: I don’t know, like 7:45?

SFPD HAGEN: Who did you arrive with?

T. BRIGGS: Carolina Parker.

SFPD HAGEN: How did you get there?

T. BRIGGS: We took an Uber from my house.

SFPD HAGEN: Did you see any alcohol visible at the party?

T. BRIGGS: I mean, I didn’t need to see it, it was in the punch. The orange punch was loaded. 

SFPD HAGEN: You had some of the punch?

T. BRIGGS: Yes. And then followed it with a Diet Coke.

SFPD HAGEN: You didn’t see any other alcohol at the party?

T. BRIGGS: Well, of course I did. There were these little Tito’s bottles Tripp had in the garage, and they were everywhere by the time we got to Inspiration Point. 

SFPD HAGEN: What time did you leave for Inspiration Point?

T. BRIGGS: I don’t know, like a little before ten?

SFPD HAGEN: Did you see Alexa at the party?

T. BRIGGS: Of course.

SFPD HAGEN: Who was she hanging out with?

T. BRIGGS: Her friend Ryan was there - he looked great. She was talking to MJ, Carolina, and then when Seb arrived, they kind of were drawn together. I think it had been a while since they’d seen each other.

SFPD HAGEN: Did you see her at Inspiration Point?

T. BRIGGS: Sure, we walked over together.

SFPD HAGEN: And what went on at Inspiration Point?

T. BRIGGS: Your basic mayhem. Kids running around. I thought it would be up in the parking lot but it was actually down on the trail which wasn’t great because it’d been raining that day. But that’s where everyone was, just kind of mixing and goofing off. Lots of smoking and the little bottles of Tito’s and people horsing around.

SFPD HAGEN: What was Alexa doing at Inspiration Point?

T. BRIGGS: I mean, whatever everyone was doing? She was talking to Seb. I saw her wearing his jacket at one point. And then they kind of weren’t around any more. I thought maybe she’d had too much Tito’s, like Zizi.

SFPD HAGEN: Did you have a little bottle of Tito’s?

T. BRIGGS: Sure. 

SFPD HAGEN: How did you feel yesterday morning? 

T. BRIGGS: Fine. 

SFPD HAGEN: No hangover?

T. BRIGGS: No. I alternate my drinks.

SFPD HAGEN: What time did you leave the party, Tally?

T. BRIGGS: I couldn’t say, maybe 11 - 11:15? 

SFPD HAGEN: And how did you get home?

T. BRIGGS: I walked back to Tripp’s house with Carolina and we got an Uber.

SFPD HAGEN: Last question for you Tally. When the Headmaster announced Alexa’s death earlier, you seemed convinced this was a prank. Why?

T. BRIGGS: I - I mean, we all sort of goof around like that. We all play little pranks, like “oh I heard she wasn’t coming” and then that person breezes in late and makes an entrance. Or, “I heard you had a crush on so-and-so” just to see what happens. We all do it. Everyone probably thought it was a prank.

SFPD HAGEN: Okay, thank you Tally. You’re free to go for now, but we will likely want to follow-up with you at a future date. You can collect your phone.

1. The San Francisco Cotillion Club is “old guard” - populated by Gold Rush-era families of San Francisco and the more exclusive areas of the Peninsula (Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Atherton, etc). These are families descended from the old California industries: lumber, silver mines, railroads, or even Spanish land grants. Their annual ball to present young women is held in December at the Palace Hotel. The San Francisco Debutante Ball is a charity for California Pacific Medical Center and presents young women from all over the Bay Area, with no lineage prerequisite. Their annual ball is held in June at the St Francis Hotel.

2. The Wonder Twins - Zan and Jana - a brother-and-sister superhero duo from Hanna-Barbera’s 1970s-era animated Super Friends series. The pair tapped their fists to activate their mutual super powers, saying “Wonder Twin powers…activate!”