Joanna
Jo is, above everything else in her life, a mother and that’s something that she prides herself on. She doesn’t care that she adopted her children and fiercely believes that families are made and not born. The bar is also a big part of her life and as they’ve owned it since young adulthood the dive bar is a part of both her (and probably all the Masen’s) aesthetic just because they spend so much time there. And sadly a grave cause she’s lost her dad and son within like two months and is just in general a bit too comfortable at the local cemetery now.
Natalia was admittedly nervous as she sat in the police station. They’d always worked their hardest to make sure that no one ever had cause to bring her here and now that they were sitting across from the two officers they couldn’t help but fidget.
“What is your full name?”
Well at least that was an easy one to start out with. “Em, Natalia Morgan Davis, I’d prefer you just call me Nat though.”
“Noted. Now, how old are you?”
“I’m 22,” It seemed easier just to answer the questions as quickly as possible in order to leave as soon as possible. No point in dragging this out.
“Okay and where do you currently work?”
“I work part time at The Scoop. I’m a student most of the time.”
How long have you lived in Lakeview?
“3 years, maybe just under 4, I came to study here or well nearby anyway. Lakeview made sense to commute.” Nat was well aware they were starting to ramble even without the glances that the officers sent each other. They bit down on their lip in an attempt to stop themselves talking.
What was your connection to Jack Masen?
“I didn’t really know him, might have seen him once or twice at parties that sort of thing but nothing more than a nod hello.”
What was your connection to Mary Beth Stanton?
“Ah, I’m her...” Nat’s voice trailed off slightly. Now that was complicated. She didn’t even know how to define her relationship with Evie let alone how to talk to an officer about it. Were they girl friends? Friends? People who just helped the other out when needed. Nat really wasn’t sure anymore. “I’m in classes with her sister. We’re close but I never spent a lot of time with Mary Beth unless I was with Evie.”
Where were you on April 7th, 2021 between 10 pm and midnight?
“I had an exam on the 9th so I think I was probably studying,”
Do you have anyone who can corroborate that statement?
“No. I study at home in my room. The library can be far too crowded and everywhere else is too loud.”
Did you see anyone heading out towards Route 9 on April 7th?
“No, like I said I was home.”
Do you know anyone that might have had a motive to hurt Jack Masen and/or Mary Beth Stanton?
Nat paused for a moment trying to think it over before shaking her head. “There were always rumours, but that was just stupid small town stuff.”
“Like what Ms Davis?”
“Who was dating who, people seeing arguments, or cheating. But I never saw anything and like I said a lot of it was petty rumours that had no basis in actual fact.”
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
“No, I’ll make sure to let you know if there is.” That was an outright lie. Nat didn’t really trust the police whether that was back home in Chicago or here and she sure as hell wasn’t going to be doing anything that might make it worse for either family.
I don’t have a fancy task bar yet so this is just gonna go under the cut
What is your full name?
“Joanna Masen, that’s M-A-S-E-N not O-N” Joanna knew they had to ask these questions but already she could feel irritation starting to build; these people knew who she was. She’d practically grown up around the station because of her dad not to mention why she was here now.
How old are you?
“I’m 52.” She couldn’t understand why this was necessary and she had to bite back a huff.
Where do you currently work?
“I own Masen’s Bar with my husband we have for almost twenty-five years.” Joanna could tell them the very day they’d opened the bar if that’s what they wanted. The bar wasn’t the classiest establishment but everyone knew it.
How long have you lived in Lakeview?
“Oh for gods sake you already kno-”
“Ma’am, we understand your frustration but you need to answer the question.” One of the officers quickly interrupted as the other avoided eye contact, clearly uncomfortable at having to ask her this.
“....I’ve lived here my whole life. Left for college when I was 18, came back at 22 and have barely left since.”
What was your connection to Jack Masen?
It was like any irritation quickly slipped away, replaced instead by tears she frantically blinked back. “He is my son. We adopted him when he was little.”
What was your connection to Mary Beth Stanton?
“She was Jack’s girlfriend and em, she worked the bar for us. A bit of extra income for her studies.” Joanna murmured swallowing thickly as she tried to keep herself calm.
Where were you on April 7th, 2021 between 10 pm and midnight?
“I-I don’t know. I think I was working. Wednesday we usually try and do a stock take before the weekend. It’s easier to do it at night after the majority of people have gone home... I was home by the time the police called to ask me to come to the hospital to identify him but I don’t know what time that was.” She could remember every detail of that phone call, but the evening before it, and even the drive afterwards, was just a blur.
Do you have anyone who can corroborate that statement?
“Not really, stock take is a one person job and I prefer to do it. My colleagues would have seen me going in and out of the back room, maybe the patrons.” Joanna sniffled slightly. “My husband was at work when I was at home... I had to collect him,” There was no way that Joanna could have stopped the hitch in her voice now nor the tears that followed as she inevitably remembered having to try and explain to him why they needed to go to the hospital.
Did you see anyone heading out towards Route 9 on April 7th?
“No, I didn’t even know Jack was out there.”
Do you know anyone that might have had a motive to hurt Jack Masen and/or Mary Beth Stanton?
“No, no they were good kids. They were just kids.”
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
“No, I’ve already been over this. I’ve already said everything I just want to get my daughter and go home.”
