Page 106 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

We watched until the patrol car left the neighborhood. Only then did I finally let out a breath. Some endings looked like justice. Others just seemed convincing.

Danielle wiped at her eyes first.

"I can't believe they did that here and of all days."

"At his repass," Simone whispered and shook her head. "Cold-blooded."

Jade crossed her arms over her chest.

"They wouldn't have arrested her if they didn't have something."

Danielle spun around.

"So now you think she killed him?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to, Jade."

"I said they must have something. This is my job. Trust me, they're not coming here off a whim."

Jade let out a sigh and rubbed her temples.

"I don't know what to think anymore."

No one else did either.

Guests grabbed their purses and jackets and quietly slipped out the front door, whispering to each other as they walked to their cars. Twenty minutes later, the house was empty.

The catering staff packed up trays of food that nobody had touched.

The scent of lilies hung in the air as Danielle looked around the living room.

"I can't leave this place like this."

"I'll help," Simone said.

The rest of us quietly cleared the plates, stacked the glasses, and threw away crumpled napkins.

No one said much. There was nothing left to talk about.

An hour later, Danielle put the last foil pan in the fridge and sighed, looking exhausted.

"I'm emotionally exhausted."

"I think we all are," Nia admitted.

Jade grabbed her purse.

"I'm going home."

One by one, everyone headed for the front door.

Danielle paused beside me.

"You coming?"

"I'll stay another minute."