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“That doesn’t mean one of our students was murdered!”
“It sure as hell doesn’t help us figure out what happened here.”
Gonzo withdrew his phone and called Malone.
“What’ve you got?”
“Twenty-year-old college student dead in her bed. No outward signs of struggle or trauma, but we haven’t looked closely yet. I’m hearing CSU is straight out at Stahl’s. Can we request mutual aid?”
“I’ll put out the word and let you know.”
“Thanks.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
Local departments called on one another when they needed assistance. Hopefully, someone could provide crime scene help ASAP. Time was of the essence in these situations. Who knew if the scene had already been compromised?
He pointed to Rachel’s phone, attached to a charger on her bedside table. “Bag that,” he said to Cruz. To Kingston, he said, “Where’s the roommate?”
“In the lounge with others from the suite. Three rooms share two bathrooms and a common living area.”
Pretty sweet setup, Gonzo thought as he followed Kingston to the lounge, a large public space with foosball tables, a coffee station and vending machines.
A group of young women were huddled together, their faces swollen from crying.
Officers Phillips and Jestings, who were watching over the young women, nodded to Gonzo and Cruz as they approached.
Phillips introduced him and Cruz to the young women.
“Who’s the roommate?” Gonzo had already zeroed in on the one dressed all in black. The strikingly beautiful young woman had brown skin, dark hair and eyes dramatically lined with black makeup.
Kingston gestured to the one Gonzo had guessed. “Harley Flores. She’s the one who called 911 when she realized Rachel was dead, not asleep.”
“Could we have a moment with Harley, please?” Gonzo asked the other girls.
They hugged Harley as they got up to give the detectives room.
Gonzo sat on a chair that faced Harley. “Again, I’m Detective Sergeant Gonzales, and this is my partner, Detective Cruz. We’re very sorry for your loss.”
Harley wiped tears off her face. “Thank you.”
Gonzo noted that her makeup remained unaffected by the tears. Christina had taught him the pro and con of waterproof mascara. Pro: it didn’t run. Con: it was a bitch to get off. “Can you tell us what happened?”
“I have no idea. I woke up as usual around seven thirty to go to work and realized Rachel was still in bed, which was very weird. She never sleeps past six. She was a high school swimmer and had practice every morning before school. She said it ruined her for sleeping in.”
Harley wiped away more tears. “I called over to her, and she didn’t answer, so I went to look closer and saw that… She was… Her lips were blue. I started freaking out. I called 911 and ran out of there.”
“Did you touch her at all?”
Harley shook her head. “I was afraid to.”
That’s good news,Gonzo thought, relieved to know the body was undisturbed.
“What went on around here last night?” he asked.
“Nothing out of the ordinary. She did homework while I went to dinner with some friends. When I came home around eleven, she was already asleep, which isn’t uncommon. She conks out early, too.” Harley seemed to stop herself when she realized she was speaking of Rachel in the present tense. “Well, she did. I can’t believe she’s gone.” She looked up at them with heartbreak in her eyes. “How is that possible? She’s only twenty.”
