Hairspray

IV.II.I

Kimberly dropped her spoon, recognizing the home on the news.

"Many of the residents we spoke to voiced similar concerns to us. Grief, shock, disbelief, anger. Everyone wants to know that same thing: how can so many tragedies befall a once-peaceful town? All eyes are now on the police for answers. Is the new chief of police, Powell, in over his head? Or is he the very savior this town needs? We'll be here the rest of the day right here on channel nine, where we'll keep you posted on all the latest developments. In the meantime, we recommend you keep your doors and windows locked tight. This is Beverly Moss, signing off for channel nine news."

Claudia kisses the kitten as it meows. She watches the TV in worry. "My heart can't take it anymore. It just can't take it."

Dustin shares a look with Kimberly.

Kimberly gets up and pulls their mom into a hug.

The doorbell rings and Dustin gets up to get it. Max is on the other side.

Kimberly gets up and pulls Max into a hug. Max hugs her back tightly.

"Chrissy Cunningham?" Dustin asks as he paces his room, "You're sure it was Chrissy?"

"Yes, she was in her cheerleading outfit. Same thing she was in when I saw her with Eddie," Max said.

"Did you tell all this to the cops?"

"No, no."

Kimberly sighed, "Good."

"But I- I can't be the only one who saw them together. I mean they stood out."

"Eddie 'The Freak' with Chrissy the cheerleader?"

"Exactly. You know, his name's not in the news yet or anything, but I guarantee you Eddie is suspect one now."

Kimberly ran a hand through her hair.

"That's crazy. Eddie didn't do this, no way."

"Dustin's right. There's no way Eddie could even fathom doing something like that," Kimberly adds.

Max gives them a look.

"No way," Dustin defends.

"Well we can't rule it out."

"Yes we can."

"Dustin!"

"You don't know him like I do, Max. Ok? When we got to high school, Lucas made all his sports friends. Mike and me? I mean, no one was nice to us. No one except Eddie."

Kimberly puts her hand on Max's shoulder, "Eddie's the type to be loud but at his core, he's a goofball. Charming and charismatic, but a good person all the same."

"Okay, well they said the same shit about Ted Bundy," Max says. "Yeah, he's like a super nice guy, but then he's murdering women on the weekend."

Dustin gives Max a look, "So you're saying Eddie is like Ted Bundy?"

"No that- I'm not saying- I'm saying that we can't presume anything, ok? But it doesn't look good for Eddie."

Dustin groans and falls back on his bed. He sighs. 

Max shares a look with Kimberly and sighs too.

"Why haven't you told the cops this?" Dustin asks.

Max crosses her arms, "I- I don't know."