Chapter 15: Camille Signed Lena's Gala Contract

Camille Ross is still telling the hallway she barely knew me when Petra puts the contract in her hands.

It is a cream folder from the MercerDx archive, the anniversary mark stamped in one corner.

"You left this out of your file," Petra says.

"Show the journalists the document that started your relationship with Dr. Mercer."

The corridor outside probate court is narrow and bright.

The reporters from the steps have followed us in and lined up beside the vending machines with their phones raised.

A courthouse deputy watches the doors.

Nobody has enough room to pretend this is private.

Camille holds the folder against her own portfolio of memorial photographs.

Her thumb rests on the edge.

She does not open it.

Adrian steps between Camille and the nearest camera.

His hand rises toward the folder, then stops when two more phones turn his way.

"Your partner is standing here," I tell him.

"The cameras are not the problem."

The woman in the red scarf steps closer.

"Ms. Ross, are you saying you barely knew Dr. Mercer before her death?"

Camille lifts her chin.

Her face settles into the soft concern she wore at the memorial.

"I was acquainted with Lena through Adrian," she says.

"We crossed paths socially. I helped with one company event. It was hardly a close relationship."

"Then why are you in the family statement?"

"Because people are making this personal," Camille says.

"Ask Dr. Mercer why she let our family believe she was dead for four days."

Our family.

She signed it this morning, under his name.

She has grown comfortable with the plural.

Adrian reaches for the folder.

"Camille, you don't need to answer questions in this hallway."

She keeps hold of it.

"I can speak for myself."

The journalist notices the tension between their hands.

"May we see the document?"

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