“I missed it, sorry. I was talking to Nicole’s parents on the phone. They are boarding a plane right now, and I explained to them who I was, what my interest in their daughter is, and about my concern for her safety. They asked the doctor to include me in discussions, which helped me get some information. She was poisoned with haloperidol or a similar depressant. The doctors claim they don’t know if it was intentional, but according to Vicky, Nicole isn’t suicidal, and she doesn’t know where she’d have gotten any antipsychotic drug. But now that they know, they have a process to reverse the effects, then they’ll be able to treat any potential issues as they come up. Vicky saved her life. Nicole would have died without CPR.”

“Does Vicky know about Rachel?”

“I told her. I figured it was safer for her to know what’s going on.”

“Did she say anything?”

“She was—still is, I think—in shock. She said she trusted Rachel. But then started talking, and I figured out that Rachel was the one who didn’t want the podcast to air. She tried to stop it every way she could—going to the administration, to Henry, even her boyfriend, Detective Young. When nothing worked, she convinced Vicky the podcast would be bad for the sorority. Vicky would do anything to protect the institution, because she felt it was her duty. Rachel pushed duty and honor, loyalty and sisterhood. Now, Vicky thinks that Rachel manipulated her.”

“Can you do me a favor? I’d like to borrow Vicky’s phone to call Kimberly Foster. She isn’t returning my calls, but she may answer Vicky.”

“I’ll get her phone.”

“And, Dad? Thank you for being here for her.”

Her dad squeezed her arm. “I’d do it for anyone.”

Ten minutes later, Regan had Vicky’s cell phone, and she stood outside the hospital entrance. She wasn’t surprised to find Kimberly’s contact information in Vicky’s phone, which made this even easier: Kim would see Vicky’s name pop up.

Regan was right. Kim answered on the second ring.

“Hello, Vicky?”

“Vicky is in the hospital.”

“Who is this? What happened to Vicky?”

“My name is Regan Merritt. I left several messages for you this week. Vicky’s roommate, Nicole Bergamo, was poisoned and is clinging to life, and Vicky won’t leave her side. I’m calling you because you are in danger. You know what Rachel Wagner is capable of, and apparently, you’re the last living person who knows the truth about Adele Overton.”

She laid it all out, hoping to shock Kim into talking.

“Hold on.”

Regan feared she’d hung up on her, but a minute later Kim came back on the phone. “I needed privacy. What is it you think I know? Why am I in danger?”