Hendricks and Aranda looked at each other. I understood the look later. A complainant was inviting them into her home to view the location of an alleged crime. You don't say no to that. If anything, it would be negligent to say no to that.
"I'll come up with you," Hendricks said. "Corporal Aranda's going to stay out here with Mr. Dupuis. Is that okay, Mrs. Pelletier? Just me?"
"Yes," Debra said. "Yes. Thank you. Thank you, finally."
I stood in my side yard with Aranda while the two women went in through the Pelletiers' front door. It was quiet on Towhee Court. A sprinkler ticking somewhere. Across the cul-de-sac, Folasade's blinds moved. Aranda took off his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt.
"How long have you lived here?" he said.
"Almost seven years."
"She always like this?"
"She brought me enchiladas," I said. "When I moved in."