Defense: Detective Wilkes, how well do you know Penny Sands?
Mark Wilkes: Well enough, I suppose. She babysat the kids for a while. She got to be good friends with Anne through the babysitting gig. They hung around these last few months. Sometimes Penny would have dinner at our house or whatever.
Defense: Do you have Ms. Sands’s number on your phone?
Mark Wilkes: I do.
Defense: Have you ever texted her?
Mark Wilkes: Sure. To set up babysitting times, check in on the kids when we were out, that sort of thing. She’d send pictures when Anne and I were at dinner of the kids in their jammies. Cute stuff like that.
Defense: What about texting conversations that weren’t about the children?
Mark Wilkes: I was only friends with Penny through Anne. We never hung out without my wife. Unless I drove her home or something.
Defense: But did you ever send a text message that wasn’t a logistical babysitting question?
Mark Wilkes: I guess, maybe a few times.
Defense: What sorts of things would you text about?
Mark Wilkes: I don’t know. We weren’t… It wasn’t inappropriate if that’s what you’re asking. You can check my phone records. I’m sure you have already, so you should know.
Defense: Did you ever discuss your wife in these messages?
Mark Wilkes: Sure, but just to check on her.
Defense: Were you concerned about Mrs. Wilkes?
Mark Wilkes: Look, I know what you’re getting at, and it’s not like that. Anne’s not the one on trial here. My wife is in a different place than she was three years ago.
Defense: She was diagnosed with postpartum depression after Samuel, yes? She started drinking to cope, according to medical records. Then she left the kids with the babysitter, without notice, and didn’t turn up for three days?
Mark Wilkes: I told you, she was going through a hard time. She wasn’t sleeping and was barely eating. She’d sometimes have a bit too much wine. She’d get a little paranoid, a little nervous that she wasn’t a good mother. When she left, she was trying to do what was best for the kids. She’s not the first woman to go through something like this.
Defense: I understand. Was your wife diagnosed with postpartum depression after the twins’ birth?
Mark Wilkes: Not yet. Er—no. I mean no.
Defense: But you said specifically “not yet.” Is it possible your wife’s symptoms are returning? Is that why you’ve been checking in with Ms. Sands? Is that why your wife fired Ms. Moore, because the babysitter saw too much?
Mark Wilkes: That’s none of your business.
Defense: Can you tell me where your wife was the night of February 13?
Mark Wilkes: Out with her girlfriends. I didn’t know where. I don’t track my wife’s movements, because I trust her.
Defense: Maybe you don’t track her movements…but did you find out that she was tracking yours? How did that make you feel, Detective Wilkes?