Podcast Summary: Small Town Dicks – "Blood-Boiler, Part 1" (Nov 21, 2025)
Main Theme
"Blood-Boiler, Part 1" dives into a harrowing case of sexual assault involving a law enforcement officer as the suspect. The Small Town Dicks team, led by Yeardley Smith, twin detectives Dan and Dave, and forensic expert Paul Holes, are joined by Detective Robert (now Sergeant) to recount the investigation of an officer who exploited his knowledge of the criminal justice system to commit and attempt to conceal serious crimes. The episode reveals complexities unique to cases involving law enforcement suspects, the barriers victims face reporting such crimes, and the meticulous steps needed to pursue justice.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction & Team Roster [00:02–05:53]
- Yeardley introduces the case and the usual hosts.
- Detective Robert is highlighted for his expertise and storytelling.
- The team jokes and shares personal connections, setting a familiar, supportive tone.
- Robert, now a sergeant in charge of background investigations, notes the rigorous screening process for new hires—and that despite this, some "bad cops" still slip through (07:13).
Quote:
"No matter how much effort we put in on the front end of things in the hiring process, you know, there's still a few bad cops out there, unfortunately."
—Robert [07:47]
2. Case Background: Initial Report & Conflict of Interest [07:53–14:07]
- The case involves Darren, a deputy sheriff in the county neighboring Robert’s jurisdiction, accused of sexual assault by Victoria, a kindergarten teacher.
- Victoria went to Robert’s agency because the suspect worked for law enforcement in his own county—a “conflict case.”
- Robert details how such cases are reassigned to avoid bias, and that prosecutors in both counties recused themselves; the state Department of Justice took over (with some challenges due to high turnover).
- Darren is described as near retirement and well-known around the courthouse.
Quote:
"We definitely want to avoid those kinds of cases. We don’t want to investigate someone who’s worked for us or someone we have some kind of connection to...We ask another law enforcement agency to just handle the investigation."
—Robert [09:01]
3. Victim’s Account: Victoria’s Statement [16:30–22:27]
- Victoria and Darren, acquaintances through mutual friend Bob, take turns watching Bob’s house while he’s away.
- One night, Darren shows up unexpectedly, pressures Victoria to let him in, then sexually assaults her—described in detail (forced French kiss, rape, compelled oral sex).
- Robert, with palpable empathy, recounts the trauma and Victoria’s immediate aftermath: washing clothes in shame, avoidant behavior.
Quotes:
"Victoria recounts that Darren violently grabs her head and forces his tongue down her throat...There wasn't anything that was even suggesting that this evening would go this way."
—Robert [19:13]
"She cannot pull away. His hand and grip on her are very strong. And he ejaculates on her face...She is still crying, still yelling 'no'...So after that happens, Victoria is able to get her belongings and get her dog and leave the house."
—Robert [22:03]
4. Psychological Insight: Rapist Typologies [22:27–24:12]
- Forensic expert Paul Holes explains typologies of rapists, identifying Darren's conduct as that of a power-assertive rapist: one who seeks dominance rather than reassurance.
- Holes suggests Darren likely has done this before; the perpetrator enjoys the victim’s fear and distress.
Quote:
"Darren is that power assertive rapist. He wants to dominate his victim."
—Paul Holes [24:12]
5. Reporting Delays & Challenges [24:47–30:34]
- Victoria waits two and a half weeks to report, struggling with shame and fear of not being believed—especially given Darren’s law enforcement status.
- No forensic evidence is possible due to the time lapse, and key evidence (the sofa) is gone.
- Victoria’s perception of what constitutes “real” assault underscores common misconceptions among victims.
Quote:
"Victoria realizes that she felt Darren was stalking her that night...She thinks now that this is a planned attack, that Darren shows up and has, you know, planned everything that happened."
—Robert [36:45]
6. Corroboration & Disclosure Witnesses [42:14–46:07]
- Robert seeks “disclosure witnesses”—people Victoria confided in immediately after—to strengthen the case.
- Victoria spoke to her sister (text messages), hotline counselors (though their reports are strictly confidential), a co-worker, her beautician, and an ex-boyfriend. Consistency across her disclosures is crucial.
Quote:
"We have this rare case where there's lots of good disclosure witnesses and lots of good disclosure evidence with the text messages."
—Robert [56:05]
7. Pretext/Recorded Calls with the Suspect [48:59–54:37]
- Robert and Victoria conduct a recorded call with Darren. Despite confrontation, Darren minimizes the crime, suggests mutual consent, and advises Victoria not to tell Bob.
- He admits to carrying an STI “since high school” but dismisses Victoria’s new infection.
- Darren tries gaslighting and legal intimidation tactics, using his knowledge of the system.
Notable Exchanges:
"He then starts educating her on our state law. And he says, hey, what you're describing is rape, and that's a very serious allegation. And Darren tells her, hey, I consider what happened a lot more mutual than what you did...Victoria yells back at him, even though I was crying, I was very proud of her. But she goes after him. And Victoria asked him, how does a woman crying equal consent in your mind?"
—Robert [51:07]
8. Investigative Setbacks & Maneuvering [39:01–41:58, 47:30–48:59]
- Investigators lose valuable time (a week for detective assignment) and potential forensic evidence (couch sold, clothes washed).
- Robert asks Darren’s agency to do nothing to alert him, hoping to preserve the investigation’s integrity.
Quote:
"Any criminal investigation, it is better that the suspect not know that law enforcement's involved. So the longer you can operate in that kind of arena, the better."
—Robert [48:16]
9. Secondary Pretext Call: Bob Confronts Darren [56:05–end]
- Bob, acting under detective instructions, calls Darren to confront him on the record. Darren tries to play both sides, continually offering to meet in person and contradicting himself about his reasons for being at the house.
- When pressured, Darren downplays the assault as consensual but agrees Bob has a right to be angry.
- Tension peaks as Darren unexpectedly appears at Bob’s house, ending the episode on a cliffhanger.
Quote:
"Why'd you even come to the house that night? That was a night that Victoria was gonna watch the house. So why did you even show up? And it's at this point in the conversation that Darren announces, hey, I'm just pulling up in your driveway right now. We'll just talk in person."
—Bob & Robert [59:26–60:29]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Oh boy. We have a doozy of a case for you...it's one you won't soon forget." —Yeardley [00:02]
- "There's so many steps and there's so many places along the way where people get disqualified...people still get through." —Robert [07:13]
- "I’m thinking, well, Darren’s done this before...he is performing these forced sexual acts. This is feeding into his fantasy...Darren is enjoying the fear, the crying, and the forced aspect." —Paul [22:44]
- "I just hate the guy. Right? You just hate some of these people the more you hear about." —Robert [55:45]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:02–05:53]: Host introductions and Detective Robert’s background
- [07:53–14:07]: Case assignment, conflict case explanation, suspect introduced
- [16:30–22:27]: Victoria’s initial statement and graphic description of assault
- [22:27–24:12]: Paul Holes explains perpetrator’s psychological typology
- [24:47–30:34]: Reporting delay, loss of forensic evidence, victim psychology
- [39:01–41:58, 47:30–48:59]: Investigation challenges, procedural steps
- [48:59–54:37]: Recorded pretext call with Darren, his manipulations and admissions
- [56:05–60:29]: Bob’s confrontation call, Darren’s arrival at Bob’s house, cliffhanger
Tone & Language
The episode mixes professional, clinical investigation with raw emotion—frank, exasperated, at times darkly humorous (“Fuck you, Darren. Fuck you.” — Yeardley [55:45]). There’s deep empathy for the survivor, frustration at bureaucratic obstacles, and pointed critique of Darren’s manipulations.
Conclusion
"Blood-Boiler, Part 1" is a powerful, unsettling look into how law enforcement investigates one of its own—a case complicated by insider knowledge, procedural hurdles, and the emotional toll on victims. The team’s meticulous approach and emotional candor make for a gripping, infuriating, and ultimately enlightening episode.
To Be Continued: The episode ends with Darren pulling into Bob’s driveway, promising further revelations in Part 2.