Page 96 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

“Mrs. Hayes, is this yours?”

Camille’s face lost its color.

“My phone, I couldn’t find it when I left for the hospital.”

“It was recovered near the crash site.”

The crowd murmured. Camille stared at the bag like it held something awful.

“I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“We’re hoping you can help us understand.”

She shook her head fast.

“I wasn’t there.”

The lead detective looked at his partner.

“We also spoke with employees at The Lantern Bar.”

Camille frowned. “The what?”

“A bartender remembers your husband meeting a woman shortly before he left.”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“He described a woman similar to you.”

Camille let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“The surveillance footage isn’t clear enough for an identification.”

“Because it wasn’t me.”

“The woman was approximately your height. She also purchased his drinks.”

“I was in the hospital.”

Her voice cracked.

“I was fighting to breathe.”

“Were you? You were stable upon arrival at the hospital thanks to your EpiPen.”

The detective stood his ground and closed his notebook.

“We’re simply trying to establish a timeline.”

“I’ve given you my entire timeline.”

“Can anyone verify it after you returned home?”

Camille started to speak, but nothing came out. She looked at all of us watching her.

“I was alone,” she said finally.