^^bbm
I agree but also be reminded that by this time in the investigation, only a couple of months before BM was arrested, he had become consistent in his approach of giving Agents information that matched the evidence he'd learned about in his prior interview.
Per the AA (pg 66/129), on 2/28/21, about 2 months before BM's arrest, SA Grusing met up with BM and told him that Agents had information to share with him. BM was anxious -- said he had a meeting in 10 minutes and wanted to know how long talking with Agents would take. SA Grusing advised BM that he had first right of refusal [to the information].
Grusing also confirmed to BM that they did want to talk to him about "the affair" -- but also the technology and other aspects, things BM could clear up for Agents.
After learning about the affair and the places where SM met up with JL, BM changed his story about when BM and SA allegedly hiked to Foos Creek -- now it could have been Thursday or Friday (and not Saturday).
However, when asked directly if after he came home Saturday if they went on a bike ride or a hike, BM replied they went on a hike--
But after SA Harris offered that BM sent a text to Crib that he was at the house and needed a few minutes, BM said he didn't even remember getting the blade changed on Saturday and doesn't know why since he has a good memory. (BM was also vague about whether or not it was Saturday that he looked at the attachment for sale for the bobcat).
SA Grusing explained that it was during this errand (with the bobcat) that SM took her "last proof of life" photo but it was not apparent to them where SM was at, and without ever looking at the photo, BM assured them she had to be at the house.
After viewing SM's last proof of life photo -- he told the Agents the photo had to be taken when he first came home for lunch because that's when she was laying outside. BM couldn't recall if SM was still laying outside when BM came home the second time.
And following the discussion above with Agents Grusing and Harris is when BM told them for the first time that when he returned home the second time, he wasn't circling the house looking for SM, but was going around shooting chipmunks. (AA pg 71/129).
While I agree that there's truth in BM's lies, I disagree that it wasn't until Feb 2021 that prosecutors had any idea what BM was doing circling the house! They'd long had evidence of the deer tranquilizer Rx and believed SM was incapacitated.
Clearly, with so much "I don't recall" by BM on this date, he wanted to leave them with something before he went back to work that afternoon so why not offer the chipmunks?
Although BM agreed to meet with the Agents later that evening following his work to continue going through the audit notebook, BM did not meet with them again until March 1, when BM again significantly altered his prior statements. MOO
ETA: I get chills every time I read that section of the AA -- knowing that BM arrived home (second time) from DSI in a rage and went after SM. SM wasn't answering the phone and I believe he ultimately saw SM on the spy camera...