Detective Carter:  Good morning, Sheriff Reed. Thank you for coming in. What was your relationship with Emma Collins?

Sheriff Reed:  Good morning, detective. There was no personal relationship. I knew Emma superficially, only through her work as an investigative journalist in town. And I don't like the tone of that question.

Detective Carter: Emma was investigating suspicious police reports that pointed to your possible involvement in illegal activities. Could you comment on that?

Sheriff Reed: [Irritated] These accusations are absurd! I am a man of the law! How dare you treat me like a common criminal? Everything I do is to protect Ravenwood. Emma could investigate whatever she wanted, there was nothing to find. In fact, you should be investigating Helen Brooks.

Detective Carter: Helen Brooks? Why do you mention her?

Sheriff Reed: Everyone knows about the hatred Helen has for the Collins family. Her parents were run over by Emma's father, remember? An "accident," according to the case, but Helen never accepted that. She carries that resentment to this day and always blamed Emma, as if the girl was responsible for what her father did.

Detective Carter: Witnesses reported that you seemed quite bothered by Emma's investigations recently. Why so much concern if there was nothing to hide?

Sheriff Reed: [Raising his voice] Concerned wouldn't be the right word! I'm SICK of these rumors! It's irresponsible for someone to spread unfounded lies. It interferes with police work and creates unnecessary distrust. You should have seen how Helen reacted when Emma returned to town. She was distraught! She even made a scene at the library, where she works. And now, with the way Emma was found in that church, with all those symbols... Helen has an entire collection of books about revenge rituals. Says it's "academic study." Ha! Convenient, isn't it?

Detective Carter: Sheriff Reed, your fingerprints were found on the main door of the abandoned church, the crime scene. Can you explain why you were there?

Sheriff Reed: [Visibly irritated] I was there doing MY JOB! Checking reports of suspicious activities. It's part of my duty to be present in places like that.

Detective Carter: We found traces of blood in the trunk of your official car. How do you explain that?

Sheriff Reed: [Furious] Blood in my car? That's absurd! Probably related to some previous incident. You really don't know how our work functions? Just last week, I responded to a highway accident.

Detective Carter: Some suspicious financial transactions were detected in your personal accounts. Could you explain the origin of that money?

Sheriff Reed: [Banging on the table] My money is legitimate! There's nothing irregular in my finances, NOTHING! Everything is properly declared and I can prove every damn cent. Is that what you do now? Investigate the sheriff's personal finances?

Detective Carter: Where were you between midnight and two in the morning, the approximate time of the murder?

Sheriff Reed: I was patrolling the northern area of town. My patrol records should prove that.

Detective Carter: Sheriff Reed, did you kill Emma Collins to prevent her investigations from damaging your career and exposing your corruption?

Sheriff Reed: [Standing up from his chair] NEVER! That accusation is ridiculous and an insult to me and my badge! I would never harm a civilian. I have NOTHING to do with this crime!

Detective Carter: Very well, Sheriff. Thank you for your cooperation. We will contact you again if necessary.

Sheriff Reed: [Still agitated] I'm at your disposal, detective, but don't call me back here as if I were a criminal. My place is in the sheriff's chair, not as a suspect. I hope you solve this soon and arrest the real culprit.