BONUS EPISODE
Welcome back to a special bonus episode of Tunnel Vision. As most of you know, I recently moved to Hollowick. Yes, that Hollowick. I know many of you think I’m crazy for doing this, but you can’t understand a crime without understanding the people. It seems the investigators are leaving no stones unturned this time around. I got dragged in for an informal interview. The next fifteen minutes are that interview unfiltered and uncut. I never want to be accused of editing anything to make me look better in any light. So make of this what you will. I’m actually impressed. It seems they may be learning from past mistakes.
As always, if you have any information about the murder of James Mason or any of the prior Reaper victims, please reach out to the Hollowick Police Department. Any and all help is appreciated. Now, without further ado, enjoy.
THIS INTERVIEW IS BEING CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE PROCEDURE OF AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND IS BEING TAPE RECORDED. THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY, I’M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND. COULD YOU STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH FOR THE RECORD?
Settling into his seat, Bodhi looks at the detective. He’s never been inside an actual interrogation room, not under formal circumstances. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his own record. “Do you mind if I record this also? My own personal use.” He gives them a cheeky smile hoping to charm them over. “Bodhi Maurice Collins. March 26th, 1987. You can see that on my ID there.” He vaguely gestures at the item on the table.
IS THERE ANY NAME YOU’RE MORE COMFORTABLE BEING REFERRED TO AS?
He chuckles at the question with a shake of his head. “Bodhi is fine. I don’t think we’re on any nickname basis. Mr. Collins if you’re nasty and all that.”
ALRIGHT, THAT’S NO PROBLEM. DURING THIS INTERVIEW WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS AND WE REQUIRE YOU TO ANSWER HONESTLY. LET’S START WITH YOUR BACKGROUND. HOW DID YOU COME TO LIVE IN HOLLOWICK?
Drumming his fingers on the table, Bodhi gives a small shrug. “Well, the latest murder caught my attention. Instead of trying to do that all the way in Manchester, I decided to make the move. I wanted to see what Hollowick was about. It’s one thing to read about it or hear rumors, it’s another to immerse yourself in a place. It makes it easier to tell a story.” He clears his throat realizing it could sound a bit strange. The police had shown before not to be completely competent and he doesn’t want to add heat to his own back.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION, COULD YOU ELABORATE ON THAT PLEASE?
He sucks on his teeth at the question. “Well, detective, I have a BA in psychology. It was the only career path for me. I feel in love with it in one of those psychology 101 classes. You know the ones that everyone takes and thinks they can be a therapist on the spot? I took it and realized it was the key to trying to understand the human mind.” He looks at a bottle of water on the table. “Can I have a sip of that? I have to keep my instrument oiled and ready to go. Can’t let myself get too dry.”
I SEE, AND YOUR CAREER? WE’D LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU GOT THERE.
"Look, I won’t lie. I thought helping people as a therapist would be it for me. And for a little while, I enjoyed it. But I hated the structure. I thought I wasn’t doing enough for my clients. So, I branched out. I figured out having a practice wasn’t for me.” He takes a long sip of the water before capping it. Leaving it close to himself, he looks them over as they take notes. “I turned to the internet. I found this thing called Websleuths. Have you heard of it? Maybe you should. A lot of helpful information and resourced on there. I tried my hand at being an amateur investigator which rolled into me starting my podcast. I want to help shed light on cases that have gone stagnant. Much like The Reaper.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS? DO ANY OF THEM LIVE WITH YOU HERE IN HOLLOWICK?
"Mm.” He gives a curt nod. “Course I’ve got family. Four older siblings and two parents. But no, none of them live here. All of them rolled their eyes when I told them I was moving. They mean well, but they don’t understand what I do. It’s not their fault. Not many people do.”
I’D LIKE YOU TO THINK ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY. COULD YOU PERHAPS DESCRIBE HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF TO ME?
He looks down at himself and laughs. “I don’t know, mate. Check me out yourself. You don’t think I stand out a bit. I’m 6′5″ and always in one of these shirts. I saw you checking it out.” He leans forward and whispers. “If you want the name of a few shops, I can hook you up. Never to late to add a little flair into your life.” He runs a hand through his hair before continuing. “I can be driven, especially when I’m working on a case. It can consume me. All I want to do is help and sometimes I can see the light at the end and I’m so desperate to get there, I tune out the rest of the world. Some might say my personality is bigger than life, but I just think I’m me. A little hard to describe myself.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS ARE?
"My sense of perception and arm wrestling skills. I don’t think I’ve ever lost.” Placing his elbow on the metal table, he wiggles his fingers. “Want a go?”
AND I’D ALSO LIKE TO ASK YOU TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU PERCEIVE YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESSES TO BE, IF YOU WOULDN’T MIND.
“I can get lost in my thoughts. Sometimes I forget about the world around me for a little while. I can always pull myself out, but it can take a bit.” He pauses. “Are you going to use that against me or something? I don’t think we’re supposed to tell people our weaknesses.”
THANK YOU. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NIGHT OF JUNE 14TH, 2020. WHERE WERE YOU THAT EVENING?
"Manchester. I think I was out at a pub with friends. I just finished a new podcast episode. I was celebrating. Finally some time to myself to reconnect with those around me.” Pulling out his phone, he pulls up a friend’s Instagram account. “See?”
DID YOU KNOW THIS MAN? [THE OFFICER SHOWS YOU A PHOTO OF JAMES MASON.]
He shakes his head. “No, only because I’ve seen him in the paper and online, you know? But personally? I’ve never met or seen him. It’s a tragedy. It shouldn’t have happened.” The weight of seeing the smiling face of a murder victim twists his gut. Bodhi wishes he could reach out and warn him -- tell him to keep smiling and avoid Hollowick.
WHAT ABOUT ANY OF THESE PEOPLE? [THEY SHOW YOU SEVERAL OLD PHOTOGRAPHS. THE IMAGES ARE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE REAPING FROM WHEN THEY WERE ALIVE]
Another shake of his head. “I was a kid back then. Do I know their names? Sure, I do. It’s part of my job. But I never knew them. I only know what’s been reported and whatever accounts I’ve come across. Such a shame. So much loss of life.” His voice goes quiet as she frowns. He doesn’t understand why people murder. He can’t understand how someone can live with it. “Good luck with your investigation. Maybe you’ll actually get the job done this time.”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. DO GET IN TOUCH IF YOU FIND ANY INFORMATION. STAY SAFE.
