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finally answered. “I didn’t think you were here. Julia and I came in and the house was empty.”
    “Actually the house is quite crowded.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I suppose Julia told you about our little get-together?”
    “As a matter of fact she didn’t,” Camille said with a straight face.
    “I’m not so sure I believe that. But in any case, there are about twenty people downstairs very eager to see you.”
    “Were you all hiding in the basement or something?”
    “We were waiting on the patio. Good thing it’s enclosed with the way this rain is coming down, otherwise my plan would have gone completely to hell.”
    “And what was your plan?”
    “I wasn’t going to have twenty people bombard you in the living room the second you walked in the door. I wanted you to have whatever moment you needed in here before you saw anyone. Once you made your way into the kitchen you would see everybody and make your own decision about when to join us. And if you didn’t want to join us, that would be okay too. But I certainly wanted to try. You’re very much in demand down there.”
    Camille felt the corner of her mouth curl up in an involuntary smile. “And what about the demand level up here?”
    Something quivered in her f ather’s face and a tear began to pool under his eyelid.
    “It’s off the charts.”
    This time when he extended his arms, Camille didn’t hesitate. She sunk her head into his barrel of a chest and kept it there for a long time. There were no words spoken between them. And in the best case scenario that Camille envisioned for this moment, there didn’t have to be.
    After what felt like an hour, Camille lifted her head and looked in her father’s face. His smile made her feel more accepted than the world’s largest welcome home party ever could, and she wanted to punch herself for ever doubting that he would make her feel any differently.
    “So what do you feel like doing?”
    Camille was hesitant to answer. For as nice as it was that people took time out of their day to see her, she wasn’t sure she was up for the role of party hostess.
    Paul continued. “If you’re not comfortable, I’ll understand and so will everyone else. Well, everyone except your Aunt Helen.”
    “You invited Aunt Helen?” Camille bellowed with a feigned look of dread. “I’m surprised she hasn’t already marched up here wondering where the hell I am.”
    “Exactly. And the longer you keep her waiting, the more likely that trip will be.”
    Camille took a deep breath to steel herself. Paul put a hand on her shoulder and offered a nod of reassurance. Her first steps into the unknown. She was as ready as she was ever going to be.
    “I guess we’d better not keep her waiting.”

 
    CHAPTER 7
     
     
    A unt Helen wasn’t the least bit put off by Camille’s delayed appearance, and neither was anyone else. Though her father said the guest list numbered at twenty, Camille counted at least fifteen more. Unlike the vision that played out in her mind, there was no spontaneous cheer when she arrived; no cake and ice-cream; no party hats or streamers. Just smiles, hugs, and lots of encouraging words.
    Despite her initial misgivings, she couldn’t help but feel touched by the outpouring. Most of the people here were family and close friends who knew Camille long before she had even considered joining the FBI. Many of them had barely even known Camille the FBI agent, aside from what they heard from her father or read in the newspapers. Much to her relief, not a single one of them appeared interested in learning anything more.
    As the day went on and news of her arrival had apparently spread, more people came. Before Camille realized it, the once modest gathering of well-wishers had morphed into a full-blown party. Dixie cups were replaced with beer bottles. Quiet remembrances became raucous storytelling sessions. And for the first time in years, Camille was beginning to remember what home felt