The expected hope. “Yes, it’s possible. But we’re proceeding as if it were her. Because we found her in her apartment with ID on her. I’m so sorry, but I do need to talk to you and it would be helpful to talk in person. Where are you located? This looks like a Florida prefix.”

“It is. We’re on our way as soon as I hang up. God, can’t you tell me anything?” He lowered his voice. “Murder?”

The wailing in the background had intensified. “The coroner does the official ruling . . . but it looks like a homicide. We can get into the details face-to-face. I know this is very difficult, but did Angeline ever speak to you about having any problems up here?”

“Angeline is an A student.”

“I’m thinking personal problems. Maybe she had a beef with another student or a teacher?”

“I don’t think so, but I’m in a fog right now.”

“I know this is hard, but could you ask your wife? Anything you could give us in this very early stage of the investigation might help.”

“God . . . hold on.” Decker heard muffled conversation and the woman shouting no, no, no. Jim came back on the line. “She can’t think of anyone.”

“Did Angeline have a boyfriend?”

“Uh . . . uh . . . what the hell was his name? Karen, what’s the name of the boy that Angeline was dating?” A female voice and then he came back on the line. “She was dating Lance Terry. He had been her boyfriend for several years, but they broke up a while ago.”

“Do you know who broke it off?”

“Hold on.” A moment passed. “Karen said that she did. No problems afterward supposedly.”

“Is Lance Terry a student at Littleton?”

“Somewhere in the colleges.”

Decker said, “Okay . . . what about friends?”

“Hold on.” A pause. “My wife says that her two closest college friends are Julia Kramer and Emily Hall. I can’t believe—” He choked up. “I really have to go. Do you have a number where I can reach you?”

“I’ll give you my cell. Feel free to call it twenty-four/seven if you think of anything else or even if you just want to talk.”

“It’ll probably take us a while to get up there . . . God, I don’t even know about flights at this time of night. I need to call the airlines. If we drive out, we won’t get there until tomorrow at the earliest.”

“No problem. Just call me when you arrive. And if you drive, please drive carefully. Don’t worry how long it takes. I’m not going anywhere.” Gently, Decker hung up the phone. “I’ve got some names for you, McAdams: Julia Kramer, Emily Hall, and Lance Terry. Two friends and the ex-boyfriend.”