“That is conjecture as well,” Regan said. “Nothing in any report indicates that Candace was involved in anything illegal.”

“Nothing in the public police reports,” Lucas countered.

The way the anonymous caller had spoken, the fact that he was male, the bitterness he couldn’t hide... Regan suspected he might have been in a relationship with Candace. Richie Traverton? Tyler Diaz? An unknown third boyfriend? Definitely possible.

Maybe the killer.

No, she was fairly certain whoever killed Candace wouldn’t call in to the podcast. He’d gotten away with murder for three years. He might not be in town, might not even know about the podcast. If he was listening, the only reason he would call would be if Lucas had stumbled onto something close to the truth and the killer wanted to obfuscate the situation. Still, Regan thought that was unlikely. Someone who thought he was free and clear wasn’t going to do anything to rock the boat. And a podcast couldn’t arrest them and send them to prison.

He? Why do you assume the killer is a he? Candace lived at a sorority, and the sorority has closed ranks. It could have been one of the girls. The killer could be a she.

But could one girl move her body from a swimming pool to Hope Springs Lake? Maybe...but unlikely.

Maybe more than one person was involved. That could complicate matters.

Regan had a thought. “One thing we haven’t discussed is the complexity of living in a sorority. The pressures, the friendships, and former friendships. The friendly rivalries—and not-so-friendly ones.”

“Were you in a sorority during your time at NAU?” Lucas asked.

“No, but Greek Life plays a huge part in the lives of people who belong. There are a lot of positives—immediate friends, a sense of belonging, a sense of being special, contacts for the future. For a sorority like Sigma Rho, you have an added sense of togetherness, since the majority of young women were majoring in STEM. There were nursing students, engineers, math majors—all difficult degrees that require extra study.”

She saw Lizzy snort on the other side of the glass, and Lucas picked up on it. “I suppose those who aren’t math-and science-oriented think they’re difficult, but for some people it comes easy.”

Regan laughed. “You’re right. I wasn’t a math person. Barely passed trig, and for my math requirement here I took business economics, the easiest class I could find. My point is that these are students who are likely taking their chosen fields seriously. Sigma Rho isn’t a party dorm—and I think we all know who is. What kind of pressures did these young women have that might have contributed to Candace’s state of mind when she disappeared?”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” Lucas admitted. “Maybe someone who knew Candace could share what they know, that might help us get into her head.”