Why Not You?

Previously: The students are told the news of Alexa Thomas’ death, and a parent gets angry.

Photo and Graphic by Annie Wilson

9:28 AM - Sunday, November 2, 2014

Flood Mansion, Pacific Heights, San Francisco

Jeannie felt herself sigh as she watched Jim Hartman all but pull his son out of the building and turned to Mark, who nodded at the Headmaster who began speaking again.

“Well, farewell to Mr Hartman and his son.” He sighed. “Okay, I realize this is an awful thing, but the authorities are here to hear what you remember about Friday night. They are also asking that you share your phone data - photos and texts - so we can piece together the evening. This will be incredibly helpful to the investigation, especially if you give your permission immediately. I can assure you that their interest is solely in the events of Friday night, but if you have other information regarding Alexa to share, it would likewise be helpful. Again, your school administrators are here to accompany you in your interview.” He sighed again as everyone looked rattled. “I’m going to introduce our investigators.”

“Investigators.” Zizi whispered, the word distasteful, her eyes welling. “What happened to Alexa?” She asked, looking between the Headmaster and the Dean of Holy Heart. Neither responded. Mark gestured for Jeannie and Paco to follow him as he  made his way to the front to stand next to the Headmaster. 

“We don’t know yet, but we are hoping all of you can give us some insight.” Mark said addressing Zizi, and the room. He turned to face them as Jeannie and Paco stood behind him. “I’m Mark Greenberg, I’m from the FBI, and I’m working to support Paco Mayfield who is with the US Park Police.” He gestured to Paco, “And from the SFPD, we have Officer Jean Hagen. Officer Hagen is a San Francisco native, who went to — which school?” 

“Holy Heart and Xavier.” She smiled slightly as all eyes turned to her. She felt herself blushing and hated it. 

“Yeah - hometown hero Jean Hagen.” She rolled her eyes. “And we also have Stephanie Choy and Owen Dunne from SFPD, Meg, who is with the Park Police, as well as Raj Gurav who is part of my tech team at the FBI.” They’re at the back. Everyone gave a wave in turn. “So, to reiterate, these are just very basic general interviews about what went on on Friday night. You are NOT making official statements here, we’re just trying to piece things together with your help. Okay? Once your interview is over, you’re free to go.” Slow nods went around the room. “Great, thank you. Give us one minute to make sure we’re set up, and then we’ll begin.”

Jeannie approached Ryan who was sitting with Ed in the back row. She took a chair in front of him and turned around.

“I’m so sorry about your friend Ryan.” He nodded his head, clearly trying to fight back tears.

“Thank you.” He whispered.

“Since you have a time crunch today, I think we’ll postpone our interview until a little later this week once we’ve gathered some additional statements and evidence. And, Ed will be with you in this process, okay? He’ll keep your regular PO informed, but because this is a complicated investigation, he’s going to be here.” Ed nodded.

“I know. He told me earlier.” Ryan breathed, looking at Jeannie.

“We’ll do our best to keep this efficient, but I need you to be really upfront about what you remember. Anything will help.” He was fully crying by now. Jeannie reached for the box of Kleenex that was discarded on the chair and offered it to him. He took a few and wiped his face. Jeannie looked to Ed, who patted Ryan on the shoulder.

“I think you guys are okay to go. Let’s get you to work, Ryan. Sorry, I know it will be tough. I’m sure the Thomases will be happy to have you stop by later this afternoon when you’re done.” The pair rose slowly and made their way out. Jeannie got up and stood outside the parlor door.

“Dashiell Reilly, you’re up first.” Dash Reilly jerked his posture into place and focused his wide blue eyes on Jeannie. The whole group turned toward them.

“Why me?” He got out shakily.

“Why not you?” She countered. “You’re the big basketball star, student council, AP classes…you seem like the kind of guy who knows what’s up.” He exhaled slowly and came to his feet. The Dean of Xavier followed him into the room, and they were seated on one side of the table facing Mark and Jeannie. Paco was at a side table with Raj. 

“Hi Dash. First up, if you consent to us taking photos and texts from your phone, please sign this form here.” Mark pushed a release form across the table which Dash signed, and the Dean witnessed. Raj ripped the seal on Dash’s cellphone bag and plugged it into a cord connected to a laptop and freestanding hard drive. “Thank you.” Dash looked like a rag doll in the chair. Mark looked at Jeannie to begin. 

“We’ll be recording this, just so we don’t miss anything, but again, this is not an official statement.” Jeannie reiterated, while Mark pressed record on the iPad. 

Transcript of Interview Recording, November 2, 2014, 9:38AM

SFPD HAGEN: Please state and spell your name, and date of birth.

D. REILLY: Dashiell Reilly - D-A-S-H-I-E-L-L, R-E-I-L-L-Y; August 2^nd, 1997

SFPD HAGEN: You’re 17 then?

D. REILLY: Yes.

SFPD HAGEN: You’re in your senior year of high school at which school?

D. REILLY: Xavier Prep. Did you really go there? 

SFPD HAGEN: Yes. But it was still St Xavier then. 

D. REILLY: Why did they change it?

SFPD HAGEN: Because when they were all boys the school had a bit of a reputation - everyone called it “St Sex” because of the SX logo. So, they figured they’d let girls in and that might help, but instead everyone called it “St Sexy’s”. So they decided to call it Xavier Prep. 

D. REILLY: (laugh) St Sexy’s…wow.

SFPD HAGEN: Yes. Now I have some questions for you, shall we begin?

D. REILLY: Sure.

SFPD HAGEN: I’ve read your file and it seems you’re very busy in your senior year. You’re a varsity basketball player, with an amazing record, you’re the student council sergeant-at-arms, honor roll with 4 AP classes, and you volunteered to build houses in Central America this last summer. 

D. REILLY: Accurate. 

SFPD HAGEN: What are your AP classes?

D. REILLY: You said you’ve read my file.

SFPD HAGEN: I’m asking you.

D. REILLY: Spanish, Government, English, Calculus

SFPD HAGEN: And where are you planning to go to college next year? 

D. REILLY: I don’t know. I’m hoping for UCLA or an Ivy if I can get in. 

SFPD HAGEN: Hmmm. Why sergeant-at-arms, why not student body president? Or did you just want to mastermind the morning announcements?

D. REILLY: Partly that. I guess I figured I was doing enough already. 

SFPD HAGEN: And you’re probably a jokester - every sergeant-at-arms is, it’s part of the job, right? Jokes, pranks, all that. 

D. REILLY: Some days.

SFPD HAGEN: How about on Friday night? 

D. REILLY: (No response.)

SFPD HAGEN: Okay Dash,  why don’t you tell me what you did on Friday afternoon into the evening, starting with lunch.

D. REILLY: Ah, Friday is an early day, so we had lunch at like 12:30. I went with Tyler Shea to get a burrito on Taraval. Then I had Spanish and then we were done for the day. Ah, then I had basketball practice - early prep for the season. We had a run on the track and then weights and drills in the gym. We played a scrimmage for the last 30 minutes or so. I dropped Seb off at his house and then went home.

SFPD HAGEN: What time did you arrive home?

D. REILLY: Ah…maybe like 5, a little before? I showered and had dinner with my family.

SFPD HAGEN: What was for dinner?

D. REILLY: Um, spaghetti and salad and some homemade meatballs. Then Seb came over and we hung out and got ready for the party.

SFPD HAGEN: What time did you leave for the party?

D. REILLY: I don’t remember, maybe like 7:45? 

SFPD HAGEN: Any stops on the way or did you go straight there?

D. REILLY: No stops. My Dad drove us. He dropped us off outside of Presidio Terrace - they had it blocked off to cars because of the kids. 

SFPD HAGEN: Were you dressed in a costume on Friday night? 

D. REILLY: Everyone was.

SFPD HAGEN: What was your costume? 

D. REILLY: Logan - the Wolverine - you know X-Men?

SFPD HAGEN: Yes. Can you describe what you wore for your costume?

D. REILLY: (audible sigh) Jeans, boots, wife-beater tank, leather jacket, fake sideburns and beard, and I got these Wolverine gloves that look like the claws - they’re plastic but they look like big long knives. 

SFPD HAGEN: When you arrived at the party was it already busy? 

D. REILLY: Yes. I feel like we were some of the last to show. 

SFPD HAGEN: And what was on offer at the party by way of food and drink?

D. REILLY: Um, there was a lot of chips and dips, hummus, guac, pretzels, raw veggies for the girls, pizzas all stacked up from Giorgio’s, cupcakes, cookies…

SFPD HAGEN: And to drink? We heard there was a punch.

D. REILLY: Oh yeah, the punch. It was like an orange soda drink. 

SFPD HAGEN: Was it alcoholic?

D. REILLY: (no response)

SFPD HAGEN: Did it taste like there was alcohol in it?

D. REILLY: I guess. A little.

SFPD HAGEN: Was there alcohol visible at the party?

D. REILLY: I mean, Tripp always has alcohol around. 

SFPD HAGEN: What alcohol was visible?

D. REILLY: Um, well, there were these little bottles of Tito’s? He called them Trick or Tito’s. 

SFPD HAGEN: Where were those located at the party, in what area?

D. REILLY: Um, in their garage they have a refrigerator/freezer. Tripp said they were in there and everyone kind of found them.

SFPD HAGEN: Had you seen the small bottles of Tito’s at Tripp’s house before Friday night?

D. REILLY: Ah…yeah, I guess. I was there when his Dad brought them home.

SFPD HAGEN: Can you explain that more please?

D. REILLY: We were hanging out last weekend, I guess it was last Sunday, playing video games and watching football. Tripp’s Dad and Mom came back from Costco with all kinds of party stuff - the chips, dips, and stuff and his Dad showed him this whole box of the little bottles of Tito’s and thought they’d be good for the party. 

SFPD HAGEN: Mr. Hartman said this? 

D. REILLY: Sure. I mean, we always drink at the Hartman’s - they think it’s better so they can keep an eye on us. 

FBI GREENBERG: Sorry, to clarify, you said Mr Hartman had made this purchase at Costco, correct?

D. REILLY: That’s what they said. Everything was in the big Costco sizes too. 

SFPD HAGEN: At what time did you depart the party for Inspiration Point?

D. REILLY: Um, I don’t know, like a little before 10? We were rolling by then. 

SFPD HAGEN: Rolling? As in intoxicated or were you smoking weed as well?

D. REILLY: Yeah, there was some weed going around.

SFPD HAGEN: Any other drugs that you saw that night?

D. REILLY: Nah, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some Molly or something - Tripp always has something like that around. 

SFPD HAGEN: And what happened at Inspiration Point?

D. REILLY: Just some partying, you know, joking around. Somebody brought their Bluetooth speaker and we had it running and everyone was hanging. 

SFPD HAGEN: Who were you hanging with, Seb Podesta?

D. REILLY: Um, there were some freshman/sophomore girls that somehow found out about it and they were there and super cute and flirty, so I was preoccupied. I kind of lost track of Seb by the time we got there. I think he was trying for Alexa though. 

SFPD HAGEN: Trying for Alexa?

D. REILLY: Yeah, he was trying to get back with her. But after a while I didn’t see either of them.

SFPD HAGEN: What time did you leave inspiration point?

D. REILLY: No idea.

SFPD HAGEN: Did you go home or stay at a friend’s house?

D. REILLY: We crashed at Tripp’s until like 2 and then got an Uber to my house. Seb stayed over.

SFPD HAGEN: Crashed at Tripp’s? Did you fall asleep or were you awake?

D. REILLY: We were all awake. We played video games and watched MTV and ate up some of the snacks, cold pizza, whatever.

SFPD HAGEN: Who was with you there?

D. REILLY: Me and Seb, Tripp, um, Vin Parisi, Tyler Shea…Vin’s sister Angela was there but she went to sleep in the den.

SFPD HAGEN: And how did you feel the next day? Any hangover?

D. REILLY: Sure, but nothing bad. No puking or anything. 

SFPD HAGEN: Okay, one last question for you Dash and then you can go. At any point did you wear a rubber wolf mask while at Inspiration Point?

D. REILLY: What?

SFPD HAGEN: At any point during the evening of Friday, October 31^st, did you wear a rubber wolf mask? 

D. REILLY: No - I was Wolverine, not a wolf. 

SFPD HAGEN: (For the recording, I’m showing Mr. Reilly an image of a rubber wolf mask entered into evidence.) We found four of these at Inspiration Point where the party took place. I’m wondering if you were one of the four people to wear one.

D. REILLY: Um…

SFPD HAGEN: Like I said, we found four of them and they are with our forensics team, so they will be processed for DNA.

D. REILLY: Okay, okay, yes I wore one. It wasn’t my idea.

SFPD HAGEN: Whose idea was it? 

D. REILLY: Look, we were just horsing around, trying to scare the girls. It was Halloween.

SFPD HAGEN: Whose idea was it?

D. REILLY: (audible sigh) Tripp Hartman - his Mom bought them for him. They were from Amazon. He thought they’d be funny.

SFPD HAGEN: Were they funny?

D. REILLY: I honestly don’t remember.