Maybe she hadn’t been at the party. Maybe she’d known about it, said she was there because Candace told her about the argument and what her plans were. Maybe Alexa knew exactly where Candace had disappeared to. Had Alexa gone with her? Now, Alexa was trying to help them on the podcast without letting on that she was the one who’d helped Candace. Because she didn’t want to put herself or her daughter in harm’s way.

“She knows something, possibly even suspects who killed Candace,” Regan said. “But without evidence, she’s smart enough to know talking might put her in danger. We need to proceed carefully.”

“So what do we do?”

“Maybe we can convince Detective Young to come on the podcast tonight.”

“He won’t. He hates me.”

“Hate is a strong word. Irritated is probably better.”

“Why?”

“Two reasons. First, we can share this information with him about Alexa. I suspect that if Alexa is questioned by authorities, she’ll come clean. She has that civic-minded vibe to her.”

“Second,” she continued, “Nicole told Lizzy that some of the sorority girls wanted to help. That tells me that some of them know more information about Candace but have been bullied into being quiet by Vicky and the council primarily because they believe only the police should be investigating. If we have Detective Young on the podcast, that just might open them up. They may call and tell all. I still think the police know more than they’ve said, publicly or privately. But they are still stuck on Joseph Abernathy. This might get them unstuck.”

Lucas didn’t say anything.

“Okay, what’s wrong?” Regan asked a couple minutes later.

“Can he shut me down? I have four more episodes after tonight. What if he says end it?”

“He can’t. You have the first amendment on your side.”

“I want to solve this.”

“I do, too. I think we will—if we can get those girls to open up. Having the support of the police might make the difference.”

“All right,” he reluctantly agreed.

“If you don’t want to, we won’t, and we can try Alexa again on Monday.”

“No, let’s do it, but I also want to try Alexa again,” he said.

Regan turned south and headed toward the police station. When she pulled into the parking lot, she saw a familiar person exiting the building: Rachel Wagner.

Instead of pulling into the first available parking place, she drove past it, and stopped, looked in her side-view mirror.

Detective Young was right behind Rachel. They crossed the lot together, talking.

Lucas turned in his seat, and Regan hit him. “Don’t draw attention to us.”

“Is that Rachel Wagner?” he asked as he faced forward again.

“Yep.”

As Regan watched, Young kissed Rachel. Then she got into a Jeep and drove off, fortunately in the opposite direction from Regan.