Chapter 24 #2
But the most fascinating thing to watch is Margaret Everett try again and again to tend to Camille, while Camille actively rebuffs her every time.
Margaret has offered to get Camille something to drink, something to eat, suggested she take a break, and even tried to stand next to her at one point, until Camille moved nearer to Ben’s sister, making her the buffer between them.
There is obviously a problem between the two of them. Camille’s parents seem oblivious to this, but Silas is dialed in and watching every interaction. It’s also interesting that Margaret is matching Camille tear for tear.
My ass has gone numb in this metal chair, but there are enough of our clients still here helping themselves to free punch and cake that I’m staying in my hiding spot.
Add What about my case? conversations to the list of those I’m trying to avoid.
Hopefully, we’re almost at the end of this line and I can get out of here.
About thirty minutes in, Camille turns and looks at me.
I wasn’t sure she was aware I was back here but it’s clear she was.
She’s throwing me what I assume is a pleading look before turning back to the woman in front of her.
I take it as a cry for help since the line still stretches out of the door.
I think back on our phone call yesterday; it looks like she’s had all the condolences she can take.
I stand and come up behind her, making sure to speak loud enough that the other family members hear me. “Hey, I’m sorry to pull you away, but a few of our employees wanted to talk with you a moment and let you know how sorry they are.”
Ben’s mom squeezes her arm. “Oh, Camille, how nice of them to be here for this. You must go speak with them.”
That’s all the permission she needs as she jumps out of the line and attaches herself to my side. With my hand on her lower back, I steer her to the far side of the room, where I had already scoped out an easy exit to the parking lot.
“Thank you,” she mumbles as I push the door open.
The sun has almost set, leaving the sky washed in shades of orange and pink and yellow. Even though she doesn’t need them, the sunglasses stay in place.
“You should have signaled me earlier. There’s no reason you had to greet every single person who came through that door.”
She lets out a frustrated laugh. “My mother would disagree with you.”
We’re leaning against the side of the building. The lot is full of cars but clear of people.
“Seems like you’re not a fan of your brother’s wife.” I’m not sure why I’m bringing this up other than that my curiosity is getting the better of me.
Camille cocks her head to the side. “It’s that obvious, huh?”
I give her a small smile. “Probably just to me since I had a front-row seat.”
She turns away, her head falling back against the wall in a defeated sort of way.
“Margaret loves any attention she can get, and the role of the grieving sister-in-law is giving it to her. But honestly, my whole family is screwed up. It’s why I made Ben promise after he proposed that we would distance ourselves from them. ”
We’ve had a lot of conversations over the years, but her family has never been a topic we discussed. And from what I’ve uncovered, I know that not only was there no distance between Ben and Randall but it seems Randall was the one responsible for much of Ben’s success.
“I’m guessing he didn’t do what you asked?”
“When Ben and I first got married, we did keep some separation. Or I thought we did. My dad has a way of sinking his claws into you. Finding your weakness and exploiting it. Dad found Ben’s weakness years ago.”
We stand silently for several long moments.
“Do you know why Ben wanted out of our partnership?” I finally ask her.
She doesn’t look at me when she answers. “I don’t presume to know anything about Ben. Not anymore.”
The door opens, startling us both. It’s her mom. “Camille, your father has someone he wants you to meet.”
There is a moment where I think Camille’s going to tell her mother she’s done and not going back in, but she caves. I follow her back inside if only to take the first opportunity to drag her away again.
Camille is put firmly back in her place, her mom on one side and her dad on the other. And I drop back down in the same chair as before.
I spend a few minutes checking my emails and updating the shared note with Lila while keeping one eye on everyone in the line.
Camille suddenly takes a step back, as if something has startled her. I glance around but nothing sticks out to me. Her action was jarring enough that not only does it get my attention, her mom turns to ask her if she’s okay.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine. Haven’t eaten anything and I just got a little dizzy. I think I’m going to splash some water on my face. Be right back.”
And then she’s out of the line and moving toward the ladies’ room. I stand up to watch her progress and maybe even grab her something to eat when I catch sight of another woman who looks familiar. It takes a moment for me to place her.
Then I realize it’s Aubrey Price, whom I recognize from the photos in Ben’s file.
She came in through one of the side doors, and she’s watching Camille cross the room too.
Before Camille pushes through the bathroom door, she glances in Aubrey’s direction. Aubrey heads that way.
Just as I decide to cut her off and find out what she’s doing here, someone calls my name. I turn and let out a groan when I see it’s one of Ben’s clients.
“Mr. Landry, glad I could catch you. Can I ask you about my case?”
“Yes, of course, but can you give me one minute to check on something first?”
“Oh, yeah, sure. I’ll wait right here.”
And in that short time, Camille and Aubrey have both disappeared through the bathroom door.
What the hell is that about?