Sharp Objects

You sure Mama won't notice we're gone?

Better hope not.

- -

Hello.

- - Ohh.

Oh.

Preaker.

Sure. Bye.

- -

- - Mm-hmm?

- Am I in trouble? - Always.

But you don't need me to tell you that.

Wind Gap. What's it like?

Uh, OK, well...

it's at the bottom of Missouri, boot heel.

Spittin' distance from Tennessee.

I know where it is. I asked what it's like.

Small. Population's held at 2,000 for years.

Only real industry is hog butchering,

so you got your old money and your trash.

Which one are you?

Trash. From old money.

What the hell's goin' on?

In Wind Gap, or...?

Your mom's still there. Right, Preaker?

Mom. Yeah.

Step-dad. They had a kid.

Have. I don't really know her.

- But you talk to 'em? - Not if I can help it.

Well, read the wires then. Jesus Christ,

there was a murder there last August.

- Little girl got strangled. - I didn't know.

Then you also don't know that another one's missing now.

Might be a serial.

So get your ass down to that heel or whatever,

and get me a story. Now. Today.

We have murders here, Curry,

so I don't see why I gotta go to Wind Gap.

Because nobody else is covering it.

Do you remember that piece in the Tribune last year?

Guy who wrote about a killing in his hometown?

It made an impact, because it was personal.

People give a shit when you give a shit.

I'm not gonna win a Pulitzer off of Wind Gap.

You're not winning a Pulitzer 'cause you're only half-good at writing.

This could change that.

And I'm your boss.

So good-bye.

All right, look, if you can't, you can't, but it might be good.

You know, flush some things out,

get you back on your feet.

- And it's a good story. - Yeah.

Could be a damn good story if you do it right.

No pressure, right?

Life is pressure.

Grow up.

Get the hell out of here.

- -

Come on!

Mm.

Oh...

That was Natalie's favorite color.

Oh.

Well, actually her folks said it was black,

but that just seemed too grim.

So, her second favorite.

Well, little girls, first pink,

and then it's purple, purple, purple.

My two looked like grapes on legs

until they were eleven or so.

It's a terrible thing.

Practically the whole town

is out there searching the woods.

Chief Vickery, he set it up.

You have children?

- No. - Well, I hate to say it,

but right now that's a blessing.

I won't even let mine out of the house

to get the mail, even.

- You can't imagine. - Hmm.

My girls, every night gettin' in bed with us.

My husband, usually he wouldn't allow that,

but now, not one of us is gettin' a good night's sleep,

but at least we know they're safe.

Chief Vickery?

Well, the thing is,

I have no intention of letting this thing get out, so...

Yeah, I understand.

This isn't going to be a... exploitative piece,

more like a think piece on how something like this

can affect a town.

If it makes you feel better, I'm from here.

Just up off Bluebird Circle.

What's your name?

Camille Preaker.

My mom is Adora Crellin.

She married out of her maiden name

about 30 years ago to, uh, Alan...

Crellin. Sure, OK.

You're the...

- You moved away. - Yeah.

So, Amma, she's your half-sister.

Yeah.

Damn.

Jesus. Hot as hell in here, isn't it?

- My kids give me that. - Oh. Yeah, sorry.

No, it's all right. Stress relief.

Because of this case?

Look, I just can't have you here, Ms. Preaker.

This story gets out in St. Louis,

suddenly that's all Wind Gap's known for.

We're already "the hog killers."

Some publicity could help, get you some information...

It's worked in other cases.

I have a right to be here,

and I will let you do your job if you let me do mine.

Fine.

I got no comment.

On Natalie Keene, fair enough.

But what about the other girl?

Ann Nash.

I can ask around and I can get the local version,

or you can have a say in what gets out.

First girl, Ann, found last August,

strangled with a clothes line and dumped in Falls Creek.

Some hunters found her.

That's all Vickery said? No leads?

I don't think he has any. It's just the way he was, um...

He was defensive.

Not like he was hiding something,

more like he was pissed off that he wasn't.

Theory.

Jesus, Curry, I just got here.

Well, you have the police. Get me some local stuff.

I need facts and color.

Fine. I will write you a fuckin' rainbow.

You know what I mean.

If you think this place has some small town charm...

Well, give me local "bleak" then, kiddo,

paint a goddamn picture.

I'm goin' out to join the search party now.

Hopefully, we'll turn up a dead little girl.

Go get 'em.

You lookin' for the search?

Yeah.

- That way. - Thanks.

Are you, uh...

You're that reporter, right? From St. Louis?

Well, that was fast.

Gotta hand it to Wind Gap,

you guys do gossip like nobody else.

That's 'cause this place is so totally dead.

- - "Dead."

That's awful.

Anyway, better get goin' if you want to catch up.

Thanks.

Camille!

Did you see something?

No.

You with the search?

In a way.

Detective Willis.