She tried to get up but fell back down.

“Slowly.” He helped her sit back up. “Are you still dizzy?” She shrugged. He said, “Take a few minutes to catch your breath.”

“Why didn’t . . .” She was crying. “You shoulda told me right away.”

“I apologize but I needed to talk to you first. Do you need some water?”

She nodded, downing the water bottle and then wiping her forehead, her face pale and pasty, her lips trying to talk but her throat not getting the words out.

“Her parents know,” Decker said. “They’re coming in from Florida.”

“Oh my God!” The tears wouldn’t stop. “Poor people!”

“Other than her parents and police, you’re the first person we’ve told. We need to talk to Emily and Lance before they find out from someone else. Do they live in Maple Hall as well?”

“Emily is upstairs . . . 8C.”

“What about Lance?”

“Elm Hall. I don’t know his room number.”

“I’ll find it. Julia, I’ll need you to keep this quiet until we’ve had a chance to complete our interviews.”

“Does . . . the school know?”

“Yes. Before we go, we’d like to look around the room.”

“Her stuff? Sure . . . I guess. Is it legal?”

“She’s dead, Julia. These first few hours are crucial.”

“Sure, look around.”

The two detectives began to search: Angeline’s desk, her closet, her bed, her personal life. Within the first few minutes, it was clear to Decker that the young woman had basically moved out of her dorm room. Nothing of interest, not even schoolwork. He smiled at Julia who had regained some of her color but was still in a state of suspended animation. McAdams was checking out the pockets of her clothing.

“Anything?” Decker asked.

“A comb, old lipstick, pens, pencils, squashed candy, loose change.”

“Paper?”

“Store receipts, credit card receipts, and a few scraps of paper with notes written on them . . . mostly to-do lists. I’ll bag them all up.”

Decker turned his attention back to Julia. “Anything else that she might have wanted to hide from prying eyes? What about a diary?”

“I don’t know.”

Decker handed her his card and McAdams did likewise. “If you think of anything else, call anytime.”

She nodded. “Are you going to talk to Emily now?”

“Yes, if she’s in.”

She said, “Once you tell her, can you have her text me or call me? I don’t know if I want to be alone tonight.”

“Lonely, sad, or are you worried about your personal safety?”

She looked down. “Is this something that I need to worry about?”

Decker said, “Honestly, I don’t know. Is there a specific person who you’re worried about, Julia? Someone out there who is giving you the creeps?”

“Not really.” Stated without a lot of conviction.

“What’s on your mind?” Decker asked. “Who are you worried about?”

“No one specific . . . really.”