“She’s still unconscious. They believe she was poisoned with a depressant, they’re still running tests. Her central nervous system was compromised, and she hasn’t come out of the coma. They are doing everything they can—because she was found quickly and her roommate administered CPR, they think she’ll make it, but it’s iffy right now.”

“I’m going to give Henry the journal, then give a copy to the chief and Detective Young. He needs to see what’s in it. It implicates Rachel Wagner.”

“If you need my help, holler.”

“Don’t let Rachel anywhere near Nicole. I don’t think Vicky is involved, but keep an eye on her because she trusts Rachel.”

Henry met her in the hospital lobby. She gave him the original journal, then she and Lucas drove to the police station. Lucas was unusually quiet.

The chief of detectives wasn’t on duty, but the shift commander, Olivia Gomez, met with Regan and Lucas in her small office.

Regan closed the door because she didn’t need anyone overhearing what she needed to say.

After introductions, Olivia said, “I listened to the podcast. A lot of people are talking about it.”

“Did you listen to last night’s episode?”

“Not yet, but Steven sent me a note that there is a potential witness who saw Candace in a truck the week she was missing—a truck that belonged to Sunrise Center.”

“Yes. The person who made that call asked that her voice be disguised. She’s now in the hospital, in a coma, with a suspected poisoning.”

“I haven’t seen that report.”

“It happened late last night. I don’t know the details, but I asked John Merritt to keep an eye out.”

“The former sheriff?”

“My father.”

“I figured.”

Regan handed Olivia the copy she’d made of the journal. “This is a copy of Candace Swain’s journal. Lucas found it in the library, hidden in a hollowed-out book. We knew to look there because Candace had told a friend that she needed to hide her journal because she was afraid it would be destroyed. I wanted to talk to Detective Young, but not alone. I learned this week that he’s involved with Rachel Wagner, the advisor to Sigma Rho and a professor at the university.”

“I’m aware. I don’t generally involve myself in the private lives of my colleagues.”

“This time, you might. I wanted to share with him some information that came to light after one of Lucas’s episodes, but because of his relationship I didn’t. That journal details allegedly criminal activities by Ms. Wagner, including covering up the accidental death of another student, Adele Overton. Candace disappeared three years ago in an attempt to find Adele’s body. When she failed, she returned to campus and was murdered.”

Olivia flipped through the copy. “Where is the original?”

“Safe.”

“You understand that chain of custody is compromised.”