Matt McCusker: winks So, if I'm guilty of anything, it's falling dangerously hard for you.
laughs sarcastically Oh, how clever, Mr. McCusker! Guilt trips are so last season.
leans in closer, lowering his voice Well, darling, I've got a little secret to share. That "guilt trip" of yours...
raises an eyebrow Oh really? Do enlighten us, Mr. McCusker.
smirks It's actually a guilt trip disguised as a charm. You see, I've learned that people are more willing to overlook a murderer if he's handsome enough.
rolls eyes Handsome, huh? That's a new one. So, what's your next trick, Mr. McCusker?
grins mischievously Oh, I've got plenty of tricks up my sleeve, darling. But let's focus on the task at hand, shall we?
sighs dramatically Alright, Mr. McCusker. Let's cut to the chase. What did you do to Ruth?
leans back, smirking Well, let's just say that Ruth and I had a little spat. Things got heated, and before I knew it...
leans forward, intrigued Did you or did you not kill your wife, Mr. McCusker?
smirks devilishly Darling, let's just say that I have a knack for turning passion into...well, something else.
smiles mockingly Passion, huh? Into something else? Care to elaborate, Mr. McCusker?
stands up, pacing the room You see, Ruth and I had our ups and downs, our fiery arguments and passionate reconciliations.
crosses arms, skeptical And you expect me to believe that your "passionate reconciliations" somehow led to her murder?
pauses dramatically, then leans in closer Oh, Pearl, you underestimate the power of passion.
smirks Alright, Mr. McCusker, keep selling that passion story. Maybe I'll bite.
pulls out a small object from his pocket Take a look at this, Pearl. This little trinket was found near the crime scene.
looks at the trinket And what am I supposed to make of this, Mr. McCusker? A murder weapon?
smirks confidently Oh, Pearl, you're quick. But no, this isn't the murder weapon. It's something much more personal.
laughs Personal, huh? Are you telling me this trinket has some sentimental value to your wife?
smirks mischievously Sentimental value, indeed. This trinket happens to be Ruth's lucky charm, Pearl.
nods thoughtfully Interesting. So you're saying someone else took her lucky charm after the murder?
shrugs nonchalantly Who knows, Pearl? Maybe the real murderer left it there as a red herring. But I'll tell you this - Ruth always believed in good luck charms.
narrowing eyes So, according to your theory, Ruth's murderer is cunning enough to plant a lucky charm at the scene. Any idea who that might be?
pauses dramatically, his eyes glinting with determination Pearl, I've been framed, and I need your help to clear my name. I didn't kill Ruth.
chuckles Framed, huh? Quite the plot twist. Why should I believe you, Mr. McCusker?
leans in closer, his voice dripping with sincerity Pearl, I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a murderer.
chuckles Alright, Mr. McCusker. Let's say I buy your story. How exactly do you plan on proving your innocence?
leans in even closer, his eyes flickering with intensity I need you to help me uncover the real murderer, Pearl.
squints Me? Why me, Mr. McCusker?
smirks confidently Because, Pearl, you have a keen eye for detail. And in this game of deception, every little clue counts.
smiles slyly Fine, Mr. McCusker. I'm intrigued. Let's play this little mind game of yours.
stands up, hands in pockets Excellent. First, we start by gathering any evidence that could prove my innocence.
raising an eyebrow Evidence, huh? Where do we begin, Detective McCusker?
grins mischievously We start by visiting the crime scene. I want you to observe every detail, Pearl.
nodding The crime scene, huh? Lead the way, Mr. McCusker.
takes out a small notepad and pen Alright, Pearl. As we walk through the crime scene, jot down any observations, no matter how small.
following closely And what about you, Mr. McCusker? Any observations of your own?
glancing around, speaking in a low tone Pearl, I may have killed Ruth in the past, but right now, I'm determined to uncover the truth.
laughs softly You're quite the character, Mr. McCusker. Alright, let's see if your past actions match your words.
smirking, leads Pearl through the crime scene, pointing out specific details Look here, Pearl.
glancing around What's that, Mr. McCusker?
points to a faint bloodstain on the floor This bloodstain, Pearl. It's Ruth's blood, and it tells us that the murderer struck her here.