Page 8 of Wild Escape

"So you didn't get along.”

Sierra's eyes narrowed at me. "Typical roommate stuff.”

“Can you think of anybody who may have wanted to harm her?”

“So, you’re saying she was murdered?”

"She didn't die of natural causes, I can tell you that."

"You should talk to Tiffany,” Sierra said. “She lives just down the hall. They were pretty tight."

"Which unit?”

"1917. You should probably talk to the girls in her sorority, too.”

“Which sorority?"

"Alpha Epsilon Beta Theta.” Sierra's lip curled with involuntary disgust.

"I take it you didn't pledge this year?"

"Hell no! You couldn't pay me to do something like that. It's humiliating. I don't need to buy my friends."

I dug into my pocket and handed her a card. "If you remember any details or hear anything around campus, get in touch." I paused. "Was Gabby dating anybody?”

Sierra shrugged. "She never brought anybody back here. I don't know what she did on her own time.”

I thanked her and said we’d be in touch. JD and I left the dorm room and ambled down the hall to Room #1917.

5

Tiffany was a bubbly blonde with curly hair that tickled her shoulders, powder blue eyes, and plump lips. She made the saddest face when I told her that Gabby was deceased. Her throat swelled, and she couldn't speak. Tears misted her eyes, then spilled over. She looked like she was about to melt down.

I felt terrible delivering the news. It was the worst part of the job.

She blotted her eyes.

JD and I gave her a minute to process everything. "What happened? I've been so worried about her for the last few days. I sent her texts, called. Nothing. I figured she was off with the sorority or doing something, and she couldn't reply.”

"When was the last time you saw Gabby?" I asked.

Tiffany bit her lip and thought a moment. "I guess it was Friday. She had a function that night at the sorority.”

"What kind of function?”

"I don't know. She wasn't at liberty to say.” Tiffany frowned. "I rushed Theta, but didn't get a bid."

"Was it unusual for her to disappear for a few days at a time?”

"I didn't think she disappeared. I just figured she was busy, you know. Between school and dating and the sorority, it can get pretty hectic.”

"Did you just meet this semester?" I asked.

Tiffany nodded. "I know we only knew each other for a short time, but I felt like I had known her my whole life. She was just one of those people. We clicked instantly. Sisters from another mister.”

"Who was Gabby dating?" I asked.

Tiffany’s face tightened, and she hesitated for a moment. "She didn't have a boyfriend."