Monday May 11, 1987
Randy and Chevonne walked quietly into the backyard of the DiBiase home. Their parents had brought them to visit Teddy. They could see Kristin sitting with him on a lawn chair.
"Ted….hey, how are you?" Chevonne walked over to him. "Dumb question….how you holding up?"
"A little better." Ted hugged her.
"Kristin, hey sweetie." Chevonne hugged her.
"How have you guys been?" Kristin asked as Randy hugged Ted.
"I don't know…..it all seems surreal." Randy said.
"You heard from Roman?" Kristin asked.
"Yeah, Roman and his family came by yesterday to check on me. He is more shook up than he is letting on." Chevonne said. "He barely knew Brett and Dustin but he is still upset that someone hurt his new friends so much and….."
"Roman is a good guy. He has called here to check on me twice." Ted said.
"It was in the newspaper today that school is closed the rest of the week for investigation and….funerals." Randy said.
"The coroner released Brett's body today. Dad had him sent to the funeral home in town. He had to make all the arrangements; mom is just too upset." Ted said.
"Brandi told us the same thing about Dustin when we called her earlier." Randy said.
"Coach Simmons came by earlier. Principal Flair was here yesterday. Seems everyone we know is calling. Dad took the phone off the hook for a while last night." Ted said.
"Is there anything we can do?" Chevonne asked.
"I don't think so. I am glad you are here. Brett would have appreciated it." Ted said.
"I just feel helpless. Like I should be doing something but I don't know what." Kristin said.
"I know what you mean." Chevonne told her.
"Have the police given a motive?" Randy asked.
"They haven't mentioned one and I can't think of one. I don't even think Brett knew Luke Harper." Ted said.
Inside the house, the Tynes' and DiBiase's were having coffee with Judi and the Orton's. They seemed as lost and confused as the kids.
"The police called. They want the kids to come to the station tomorrow for more interviews. State police have taken over the case." Elaine said.
"Yeah they called us too." Mrs. Tynes said.
"I know they have to do it. But these kids have been through so much already." Judi said.
"How is Teddy holding up?" Bob asked.
"About like would be expected. We couldn't get him to sleep or eat…finally yesterday I took him to a doctor. They gave him some medicine and recommended a counselor for him." Ted said.
"Teddy says the house seems empty without Brett….and he can't…..he can't walk past his room." Mrs. DiBiase cried.
"How are Randy and Chevonne holding up?" Mr. Tynes asked.
"Chevonne is having a hard time sleeping and when she does she has nightmares. Wakes up screaming." Judi sighed.
"And Randy seems to be holding it all inside. He hasn't grieved….at least in front of us. And he wants to take care of everyone….he is in big brother mode too." Bob said.
"Brandi is having nightmares as well. I spoke with her mom this morning." Mrs. Tynes said.
"Have the police said anything?" Bob asked.
"The coroner gave me the results of Brett's autopsy…..I didn't tell Teddy any details, he has been through enough. They also said they are running some tests on Harper's clothes but still believe he is the culprit." Ted said.
"I just don't understand, I never heard Teddy or Brett mention that Harper boy. And Dustin is too old to have known him at all." Mrs. DiBiase said.
"It doesn't make sense. I have heard Randy and Chevonne talking, trying to figure it out but they can't find a reason either." Elaine said.
(8pm)
Roman knocked on the door to the Williamson house. Chevonne had called earlier telling him that she and Judi were going to stay at their own house not wanting to impose on the Orton's. Judi was hoping Chevonne being in her own room would help her sleep better. Roman had decided to spend some time with her, although he had a hard time convincing his parents to let him go. They were still shook up and didn't want him going anywhere alone.
Judi opened the door. "Roman, so nice to see you. How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay. I came to see Chevonne. Is she awake?" Roman asked.
"Yes, come on in. She is in the living room watching TV." Judi let him walk past her. "I am glad you came to see her. Go on in."
Roman walked into the living room. He saw Chevonne was sitting on the couch curled up with her Horshack bear given to her by Bob. She was watching MacGyver.
"Chevonne?" he didn't want to startle her.
She looked up at him. "Roman, hey."
He sat down beside her and hugged her. "Thought you might like some company."
"I am glad to see you." She said.
"Watching MacGyver? I thought the season ended already?" Roman wrapped an arm around her.
"It's recorded episodes. I use the VCR and tape the show sometimes. Watching helps keep my mind distracted." She said.
"You look tired." He said causing her to look up at him. "Beautiful….but tired."
"I know what you mean. But sleeping….every time I try sleeping I dream about seeing Dustin dead…..his eyes open but dead. I don't even know if I really saw his eyes at prom but I sure do in my dreams." She sighed. "And I know they mean well but giving me sleeping pills just forces nightmares on me. Mom wants me to see a doctor."
"Naomi went to one today. Jimmy went with her for support." Roman said.
"She mentioned her mom had made an appointment for her. How do you feel?"
"I feel bad….that I don't feel worse. I mean, I am upset someone murdered two people but I didn't know them very well. I am sad two good guys were killed. I hurt watching my family and friends and girlfriend hurt. I feel…guilty that I am not hurting as much as everyone else. Does that make sense?" Roman asked.
"Roman, of course you are feeling different than the rest of us. You didn't know Dustin and Brett very well. You only met Dustin a few times. And Brett hadn't hung out with us much. It doesn't mean you don't care. You have been great through this all." She said.
"You mean it?"
"Yeah, I don't think I would've stayed sane at prom without you there taking care of me. And I see how much the twins have needed you the past few days. You have been there for us and that shows how much you care." She assured him.
"Thanks." He kissed her forehead. "So what is MacGyver into? Building a bridge from gum and match sticks?"
Chevonne chuckled. "No, in this episode he is lost in the woods with some juvenile offenders…gang kids after their plane crashes, killing the pilot. He has to find a way to get help without the kids killing each other."
"Sounds fun. I want to see him rebuild the plane using leaves." Roman said.
(Midnight)
Judi walked into the living room and saw Chevonne and Roman both asleep on the couch. The TV was still on. She walked over and gently touched Roman on the shoulder.
"Roman…Roman honey wake up." Judi whispered.
Roman startled awake and looked around. "Oh…I am sorry. We fell asleep. I swear we didn't do anything inappropriate."
"Oh I know. I am not mad. I am glad Chevonne is sleeping. Heaven knows she needs it. I am glad you helped her fall asleep." Judi assured him. "But it is late. Your family is probably worried about you. You should probably call them."
"No, I will head home." Roman carefully pulled away from Chevonne.
"Are you sure you will be safe?" Judi whispered.
"I will be fine. I am going right home." He stood up. "Is she going to be okay?"
"Yeah, I am going to let her sleep here. As long as she is sleeping, I don't want to bother her." Judi said.
Judi walked with Roman to the front door. "You sure you will be okay?"
"Yeah, I will call in the morning to check on Chevonne. You take care too. I am sure you are exhausted." Roman said.
"Thank you. I will try getting some rest while Chevonne is sleeping." Judi smiled. "See you tomorrow."
Tuesday May 12, 1987
(Noon)
Roman and Chevonne walked into the police station with their parents. The state police wanted to speak to them. They saw Randy waiting with his parents as well. Judi went to let the receptionist know they were there to speak with the state police.
"Hey, where is everyone else?" Chevonne hugged Randy.
"The twins are in with the police now. I guess the others will be here later. Dusty was taking Cody to see a doctor today. He is having a really rough time." Randy said. "Dustin's funeral is tomorrow. They decided to go with a small graveside service."
"I know. Brandi called me this morning after she had been here." Chevonne said.
The twins walked out of an interview room and came to join them.
"How did it go?" Roman asked.
"Just answered a bunch of questions. They gave us cards for some counselors the school is providing." Jey said.
"They think Harper may have killed Nikki too." Jimmy said.
"Harper….a serial killer?" Chevonne asked.
"They are looking into it. But three murders in just a few months." Jey said.
"But that makes no sense, Nikki wasn't connected to Brett or Dustin. They didn't even know her. Of course Dustin didn't know Harper. This is insane." Chevonne sighed.
A bearded man wearing a suit walked up to them. "Hey kids, I am Detective Foley. I am handling the investigation for the state police. And you three are…Chevonne Williamson, Randal Orton and Roman Reigns." He looked at a folder in his hand. "Follow me."
"We'll catch you later." Roman said to the twins as they followed Detective Foley into an interview room.
Foley motioned for them to sit down. They took seats as Foley sat at the head of the table.
"Thanks for coming in. I know this is a rough time for you kids. You have my condolences on the deaths of your friends." Foley said.
"What do you need to know? We told everything we knew to the Walkerton police already." Randy said.
"We rushed some lab tests on Harper's clothes and he had the same blood types on him as Brett DiBiase and Dustin Rhodes." Foley said. "Did any of you see Harper at the prom Saturday night?"
"No, Harper wasn't a prom kind of guy." Randy said.
"What does that mean?" Foley asked.
"Luke wasn't….he didn't come to many school functions. I have only seen him at a sporting event or two in the entire four years of high school. He was…kinda a loner. I only ever saw him hanging out with Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt." Chevonne said.
"Yes, I have heard those two names from other students I have interviewed." Foley said. "Were any of you friends with Nikki Bella?"
"No!" they all three said.
"Wow, strong reaction. Did any of you have a problem with Nikki?" Foley asked.
"Define problem?" Randy asked.
"Randy…easy." Chevonne said. "Nikki was not part of our group of friends. And she had a habit of causing conflicts with other girls at school. Both her and her sister. But I don't think it was anything to murder over."
"Describe these conflicts." Foley said.
"She was constantly looking down on other girls and making rude comments." Chevonne said.
"And they often singled out Chevonne because she doesn't have a father." Randy said.
"Your friends tell me Luke Harper wasn't part of your crowd." Foley said.
"No, we barely knew him." Chevonne said.
"He was weird…..he looked weird, kept to himself." Randy said.
"What about you Roman? You haven't said much." Foley said.
"I didn't know him either. Just saw him around school a few times. I haven't lived here very long." Roman said.
"Yes, we were told you moved here in March." Foley said. "Any ideas about why Harper would have killed your friends…or Nikki?"
"No, believe me we have tried finding a reason but…nothing makes sense." Randy said.
"Well, I will be in touch with you. The investigation is ongoing. Your school is offering counseling free of charge. Here is some cards of counselors." Foley said.
"When will we know for sure if it was Harper who killed our friends?" Roman asked.
"As I said the investigation is ongoing." Foley said. "I know it's frustrating but we have to look into all possibilities."
The kids stood up and followed Foley out of the room and back to their parents who were waiting for them.