[Devil_Anse]

Perhaps he was thinking in terms of fingerprints on the bucket--his fingerprints might be superimposed over Laci's, since he had been the last one to touch the bucket. And he may have wanted to explain that away even b/f the question was asked... ?

[Velveeta]

It could be the fingerprints on the bucket. Remember we all discussed how strange it was that SP offered up "bucket information" during his Diane Sawyer interview? Since LE had made a "big deal" out of the bucket by removing it from the house, he *offered* what he thought was a reasonable explanation for the freshly wet mop. It's just that none of his explanations about anything related to Laci's disappearance make any sense!