Thursday, January 19, 2000 - 9:30 a.m.

Sheriff's investigators tracked down the Oxford address and telephone number for Jordan Rodale, half-brother of the victim Devlin Beauchamp. Det. Ted Armstrong contacted the Rodale residence on Thursday morning, January 19, 2000 to schedule an interview with Jordan Rodale. Det. Armstrong spoke with Mr. Rodale's personal assistant, Vincent Jones.

A = Det. Ted Armstrong
J = Vincent Jones

A: This is Detective Ted Armstrong of the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. May I speak with Jordan Rodale, please?

J: I'm sorry. Mr. Rodale is out of town. Is there something I can help you with?

A: Who am I speaking to, please?

J: My name is Vincent Jones. I'm Mr. Rodale's personal assistant.

A: I see. And you say Mr. Rodale is out of town?

J: Yes sir. He's traveling on business.

A: When did he leave on this business trip.

J: Mr. Rodale flew out of Memphis on Monday.

A: Where did he go?

J: He's in New York, meeting with his publisher.

A: When will he be back in Oxford?

J: I expect him back next Friday.

A: That's January 28th?

J: Yes.

A: That's a pretty long trip for one meeting.

J: Mr. Rodale has several friends in New York. He'll be spending time with some of them before he returns.

A: OK. Well, we need to speak with him on an urgent matter. If I leave a message with you, will he get it before he gets back to Oxford?

J: Of course, sir.

A: Please tell Mr. Rodale that we need to speak with him as soon as possible regarding his brother, Devlin Beauchamp.

J: His half-brother.

A: What? Yes, of course. His half-brother. Would you please ask Mr. Rodale to contact us at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department? He can speak to either Detective Sam Murphy or to me, Detective Time Armstrong. Have you got all that?

J: Yes sir. You'd like him to contact you or Detective Murphy at the Sheriff's Office regarding Mr. Beauchamp.

A: That's correct. And it is very important that we speak with him as soon as possible. If he could get in touch with us today, that would be best.

J: Is there anything else you'd like me to include in the message.

A: No, thank you. Just make sure he understands it's very urgent that we talk to him. I'd hate for us to have to track him down in New York. Some folks find that a little embarrassing.

J: I see.

A: So you'll make sure he gets back to us today?

J: I'll do my best, Detective.

A: Thank you. If we don't hear from him, I'll be back in touch with you tomorrow, Mr. Jones.

J: I understand. I'll pass your message on to Mr. Rodale when I speak to him. You have a nice day, Detective Armstrong.

A: You too, Mr. Jones. Thank you for your help. Good-bye.

Mr. Rodale did not contact the Sheriff's Department on Thursday, January 19, 2000. Follow up calls to his residence have not been answered and the messages left have not been returned.