Castillo: Ned, we’ll talk about that later. You’ll be taken care of, I promise you.

Detective Ponder: When was the last time you saw your mother?

Ned: Last night when I went upstairs to my room. She was down in the den. I told her good night. She had a look on her face like she was upset.

Detective Ponder: What about, Ned?

Ned: I don’t know. She was on a phone, texting, and I noticed it wasn’t her regular phone.

Detective Ponder: Do you know who she was texting with?

Ned: No.

Detective Ponder: Did she normally carry extra phones?

Ned: Yes. Well, no. I mean, she had before, just not in a while. She had a phone for her legal work and one for personal. But this one was neither. I thought maybe Mike got it for her.

Detective Ames: Mike Horvath.

Ned: He’s my mom’s boyfriend.

Detective Ponder: Do you know where he is? We haven’t been able to reach him.

Ned: He travels a lot, but I thought he was in town this weekend. He also lives in the neighborhood. Over on Compass Circle.

Detective Ponder: Had Mr. Horvath and your mom had any problems lately?

Ned: No. I don’t think so.

Detective Ames: Here’s a tissue. You take your time.

(Sounds of snuffling, crying)

Ned: She hadn’t said anything bad to me about Mike. I thought they were fine, but maybe she wouldn’t tell me if they fought. I don’t know. Why was she in the park?

Detective Ponder: We don’t know yet. And once you went to bed last night, you and your mom were in the house for the rest of the night?

(Pause)

Ned: Yes.

Detective Ames: Are you sure? You seem a little hesitant.

Castillo: Please don’t badger him.

Detective Ames: I’m not badgering him.

Detective Ponder: Thanks, Carmen. Let me take it.

Ned: It’s OK. Yes. I was home for the rest of the night.

Detective Ponder: Did you hear anyone arrive at your house? Or leave?

Ned: No. I was there. But I had my headphones on. I was bingeing a show on my laptop. Then I turned off the lights at midnight and went to sleep. I have the ceiling fan running. The noise puts me to sleep. I didn’t hear anyone come or go.

Detective Ponder: Did your mom normally go to Winding Creek Park? Like, go for walks there?

Ned: I don’t think she’s ever there except for the neighborhood fall party and the Fourth of July party.

(Sounds of sobbing)

Castillo: Let’s take a short break.

(Resumes)

Detective Ponder: Did your mother go for walks around the neighborhood often? Like if she was upset?

Ned: No.

Detective Ponder: And you didn’t hear her leave?

Ned: I said no. I didn’t.

Detective Ponder: OK. What time did you wake up this morning?