Page 99 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"That’s not fair."

"It’s not supposed to be fair," Jade said. "It’s supposed to be real."

Simone shook her head.

"I just don’t see Camille like that. She was always put together. You know, almost perfect."

"Put together doesn’t mean innocent," Jade muttered.

The table fell silent again. I leaned back and watched everyone think, each person trying to figure out Camille in their own way.

Then I spoke, keeping my voice steady, like I was just thinking out loud.

"I mean, we all know how things are around here. The secrets, the favors, how people help each other out when it suits them."

Danielle frowned.

"Maci…"

I held up a hand.

"I’m not pointing fingers. I’m just saying people don’t always follow the same rules as everyone else."

Jade’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"What are you saying exactly?"

"I’m saying, if Camille needed something taken care of or wanted something gone, why wouldn’t she do it herself? Why wouldn’t she know how to make it work?"

The kitchen went quiet. Nia blinked.

"That’s a big assumption."

"It’s not an assumption," I said softly. "It’s just… observation."

Simone shifted in her seat, looking uneasy.

"But that still doesn’t mean she did it."

"I didn’t say it did," I said quickly. "I just think people are acting like she couldn’t possibly do something like that."

Danielle let out a slow breath.

"So you think she’s involved?"

I hesitated, wanting to be truthful but careful not to reveal too much.

"I think there’s more to her than we realize."

Jade pushed her plate aside.

"That’s not the same as murder."

"No," I said. "It’s not."

No one picked up their forks again. Outside, the news van’s camera kept recording.

Across the street, Camille’s house stayed quiet, almost like it was holding its breath along with us.