Buried Prey
Chapter 5
by Sandford, JohnIn Chapter 5, the police bring Scrape, a mentally unstable suspect, in for questioning regarding the disappearance of several girls. Scrape appears genuinely confused and denies any involvement, claiming he doesn’t read news or watch TV and is unaware of the case. He admits to having mental health issues but insists he would never harm girls, though his erratic behavior and disjointed statements make him a suspect. The detectives, Sloan and Hanson, employ contrasting interrogation tactics—Sloan is patient and empathetic, while Hanson is aggressive—but Scrape maintains his innocence, even as his stories about his past and interactions with celebrities like Harrison Ford reveal his delusions.
The interrogation takes a turn when Scrape denies ownership of the pornographic materials found in his makeshift riverside home, arguing that his fingerprints wouldn’t be on them. This logical point raises doubts about his guilt. Despite his mental instability, Scrape’s consistent denial of knowing the girls or possessing the porn seems credible. His confusion about locations and timeframes further complicates the interrogation, as he alternates between acknowledging he’s in Minneapolis and insisting he was recently in Los Angeles. The detectives struggle to reconcile his incoherent statements with the possibility that he might have committed the crimes and forgotten them.
After hours of questioning, the team concludes they have no solid evidence against Scrape. Sloan and Hanson dismantle most of his claims but find no proof linking him to the girls’ disappearances. The lack of physical evidence at his camp and his plausible argument about the porn materials weaken the case. Captain Daniel decides to release Scrape but orders surveillance, fearing he might flee or slip up if guilty. The team agrees to monitor his movements closely, particularly if he attempts to leave town, while keeping the arrest out of the media to avoid tipping him off.
The chapter ends with the detectives at an impasse, unsure of Scrape’s involvement but unwilling to let him go entirely. Lucas is sent home to rest, while the others prepare to track Scrape’s movements. The interrogation highlights the challenges of dealing with a mentally ill suspect—Scrape’s mix of lucidity and delusion leaves the team grappling with doubt. The chapter underscores the tension between suspicion and the lack of concrete evidence, setting the stage for further investigation.
FAQs
1. How does Scrape’s mental illness complicate the interrogation process, and what specific behaviors demonstrate his confusion?
Answer:
Scrape’s mental illness significantly complicates the interrogation by introducing inconsistencies, delusions, and fragmented thoughts. He interjects unrelated statements like “These cops are gonna kill me” mid-conversation (oral parentheses), claims impossible scenarios (being in Los Angeles that morning), and insists on imaginary interactions with celebrities like Harrison Ford. His confusion is further evident when he struggles to reconcile logical contradictions—alternately recognizing he’s in Minneapolis while insisting on other locations. These behaviors undermine the interrogation’s coherence, as officers must sift through his delusions to assess factual claims, such as his denial of involvement with the missing girls or the pornographic materials.
2. Analyze the contrasting interrogation styles of Sloan and Hanson. How do their approaches impact Scrape’s responses?
Answer:
Sloan adopts a patient, empathetic approach—offering cigarettes, coffee, and a mild-mannered tone—which occasionally elicits cooperative but still disjointed responses from Scrape. In contrast, Hanson is aggressive, mocking Scrape’s fear of gangs (“You yellow?”) and pressing accusatory questions about the girls. While Sloan’s demeanor allows Scrape to momentarily engage (e.g., explaining his key collection), Hanson’s hostility triggers defiance and clearer denials (e.g., “NO: I NEVER SEEN THEM”). The dual tactics create tension but ultimately reveal Scrape’s consistency on key points: his lack of connection to the crimes and the porn, despite his mental instability.
3. Why does Scrape’s argument about fingerprints on the pornographic materials raise reasonable doubt about his guilt?
Answer:
Scrape logically argues that if the porn were his, his fingerprints would be on it—yet he owns no gloves and lives in poverty, making it unlikely he’d handle items without leaving traces. This observation forces the detectives to confront physical evidence (or lack thereof), undermining their assumption of his guilt. His challenge (“You look at them pictures, they won’t have no prints”) introduces a testable claim that, if true, supports his insistence that the materials were planted. This moment stands out as a coherent defense amid his otherwise erratic statements, prompting the team to reconsider their case.
4. How does the chapter illustrate the challenges of policing in cases involving mentally ill suspects?
Answer:
The chapter highlights dilemmas such as distinguishing delusions from facts (e.g., Scrape’s claims about Harrison Ford), assessing credibility amid incoherence, and balancing suspicion with ethical treatment. The officers debate whether Scrape could have committed the crimes and “forgot,” reflecting the difficulty of evaluating intent or memory in mental illness. Additionally, their decision to track him post-release—despite lacking evidence—shows the tension between public safety and civil liberties. The interrogation reveals how mental health crises complicate justice, requiring officers to navigate ambiguity while avoiding wrongful accusations.
5. What strategic decisions do the detectives make after concluding Scrape is unlikely to be guilty, and what risks do these decisions carry?
Answer:
The team opts to release Scrape but assigns surveillance, fearing he might flee or unknowingly lead them to evidence. Daniel orders undercover officers to monitor his movements and prevent him from leaving town, hedging against the possibility he’s lying. However, this strategy risks violating Scrape’s rights if he’s innocent, wasting resources, or provoking him if he detects surveillance. The plan also reflects institutional distrust of mentally ill individuals, as they prioritize “staying inside his sweatshirt” over resolving his actual culpability. The unresolved tension between caution and justice underscores the complexities of policing ambiguous cases.
Quotes
1. “I never would touch no girls like that. I never touch no good girls. You can ask anybody.”
This quote captures Scrape’s vehement denial of involvement with the missing girls, revealing both his moral boundaries and his attempt to assert his innocence despite his mental instability. It’s significant as it establishes his core defense early in the interrogation.
2. “Hey, if I had those in my box, wouldn’t my fingerprints be on them?… You look at them pictures, they won’t have no prints on them. Not my prints. You look.”
This moment shows a rare flash of logical reasoning from Scrape regarding the pornographic materials found in his possession. The quote is pivotal as it introduces reasonable doubt about the evidence against him.
3. “These cops are gonna kill me”
This paranoid interjection during questioning vividly illustrates Scrape’s mental illness and the challenges it presents for the interrogation. It represents the unreliable nature of his testimony and the difficulty of obtaining clear answers from him.
4. “He looked like he was really confused when Sloan first asked him about them—it looked to me like he had no idea who we were talking about. I don’t think he’s smart enough to fake it. Or sane enough.”
Lucas’s observation summarizes the detectives’ growing doubts about Scrape’s guilt. This quote marks a turning point where the investigators begin questioning their initial assumptions about the suspect.
5. “If he took the kids, he’ll fuck up, and pretty quick.”
Daniel’s pragmatic assessment represents the investigative strategy moving forward - maintaining surveillance on Scrape while acknowledging their lack of concrete evidence. This quote captures the chapter’s conclusion and sets up the next phase of the investigation.