Page 104 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

She stepped back, her eyes already bright with tears again.

"Thank you for checking on me."

"Of course."

"Sorry for your loss," Zaire added.

For the next hour, people kept coming in. It felt like everyone was there.

All the women from the Lemon Pound Cake club gathered near the kitchen, quietly catching up between giving their condolences.

Danielle squeezed Camille's hand whenever she could. Simone kept everyone's drinks full. Jade sorted leftovers, as if keeping busy could help everyone stay strong.

Every few minutes, someone would whisper the same thing.

"I can't believe this happened."

Camille couldn't either, or at least it seemed that way. I watched her from across the room as she thanked another guest. She looked completely alone.

The front door opened again. At first, no one noticed. Then, all the conversations stopped.

A man cleared his throat.

"Mrs. Hayes?"

Everyone turned to look at Camille. Two detectives stood just inside the foyer, with two uniformed officers behind them.

Camille frowned.

"Detective."

"I'm sorry to interrupt."

His voice was calm, the kind you might expect from someone used to giving bad news.

"But we need to speak with you."

"Can it wait?" She looked around at the crowded room. "We're in the middle of my husband's repass."

"I'm afraid it can't."

The house grew so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Camille stepped forward carefully.

"Is there a problem?"

The detective removed a folded document.

"Over the last forty-eight hours, we've received additional evidence related to your husband's death."

People in the room started murmuring in confusion.

"We've also received information regarding several incidents you previously reported, including the vandalism to your flower beds and the note left at your residence."

Camille stared at him.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Our investigation indicates those incidents may have been intentionally staged."