Free The Committee by Terry E. Hill Page A

the truth. He was your only real opposition. Now that he’s dead, there is nothing standing between you and the stadium. It’s fucking amazing,” Sheridan said, laughing out loud.
    Camille threw the paper to the floor, bolted out of the bed, and angrily cinched her silk robe around her waist. “This isn’t funny, Sheridan. It’s horrible.”
    â€œSince when do you care how you get what you want? It usually doesn’t matter as long as you get your way.”
    Sheridan was right. There was no expense too high if Camille had a goal in her sights, and usually someone other than herself paid the price. John Spalding’s death was his own fault , she silently reasoned. If he hadn’t been such an asshole, I wouldn’t have had to involve Gillette. He left me no option.
    Dober Stadium was to be the crown jewel of her second term in office. It would be the accomplishment showcased while making the case for being the first female governor of the state. She could not—and had not—let John Spalding rob her of that dream.
    â€œWhy are you being so sensitive? The dick got what he deserved. He should have known better then to mess with Camille Hardaway.”
    â€œThis isn’t about me or the stadium. This is about the tragic death of a colleague.”
    â€œColleague, my ass. He never passed up the chance to fuck you over. And you’re wrong; it is about you. The universe knows you want the stadium, and it also knew John Spalding was the only person who could stop it. The stars always line themselves up perfectly whenever you need them to, and this is no exception. Face it, Camille, this is about you, for you, and because of you .”
    Camille looked at Sheridan coldly. “Don’t ever say that again. I had nothing to do with his death.”
    â€œI’m not saying you did it,” Sheridan said matching her icy stare. “I’m only saying it happened because of you. Let’s face it. It’s not the first time, is it?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” she snapped.
    â€œCome on, Camille,” Sheridan said as if he knew more than he should. “The police officer who tried to blackmail you, Robert White. He had a shot at beating you if he hadn’t died, and you know it. The universe has always looked out for you, and this is no exception.”
    â€œYou are being ridiculous,” she replied defensively. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
    â€œYou’re acting as if you pushed his car onto the freeway. Don’t worry, darling. I’ll be your alibi,” he said with a smile and reached for her arm. “I’ll swear on a stack of Bibles I was fucking you when it happened.”
    Camille jerked away. “This isn’t funny, Sheridan. A man is dead, and you’re joking about it.”
    Sheridan could see he hit a nerve. He moved in closer. “Honey, I’m sorry,” he said reaching for her again. He took her shoulders and pulled her to his chest. “You know I didn’t mean it. I know you had nothing to do with his death. I was just kidding. It’s tragic, and I shouldn’t have made light of it. I’m sorry. That was very insensitive of me.”
    Camille recalled the first meeting with Gillette Lemaitre. Her campaign manager suggested she visit this “unusual” woman who helped a couple of his clients in the past. After a month of encouraging Camille to visit Gillette, Camille finally said yes. Not because she believed in her powers, but rather to stop him from asking.
    She remembered sitting at Gillette’s dining-room table and scoffing at the black candle. It’s nonsense, but I’ll try anything to get an edge over Robert White, she desperately thought at the time.
    The association, however, came with a price. Camille casually chalked the first death up as a “coincidence.” She dismissed the second death as an “unfortunate accident.”