She became motionless. Grains of dirt were stuck to the side of her mouth.
“I think you saw and know more than you’re telling me,” I said.
“I saw a guy floating facedown in the water. Another guy was wounded. A third guy started running through the water. A fourth guy was trying to hold the wounded guy in the boat.”
“That’s very detailed. I appreciate it.” I made a note on a pad and put away my pen, as though we were finished. “Where was your father?”
“In his bedroom.”
“Where was your mother?”
“She’s my stepmother. My real mother is dead.”
“Where was your stepmother?”
“In the bedroom with my father.”
“Did your old man shoot those guys?”
“If you won’t believe him, you won’t believe me. Why bother asking?”
“I think you carry a big burden, Miss Thelma. I’m not here to add to it.”
“You need to shut up, Mr. Robicheaux.”
“Pardon me?”
“Why do you assume you know what happened to me? Why do you assume my family wants revenge on people we have nothing against? I can’t stand people like you. You don’t have any idea of what it’s like to be a rape victim. If you did, you wouldn’t be patronizing and trying to manipulate me.”
“I apologize if I gave that impression.”
“It’s not an impression.”
I stood up from the steps and brushed off the seat of my trousers. “I’m sorry just the same.”
“Fuck you.”
As I left the yard, I glanced back over my shoulder. Her body seemed to float inside a nimbus of light particles and dust and smoke and bits of desiccated leaves. For just a moment, as she resumed her work, stroking the rake hard across the ground, the bamboo tines splintering on the root system of a cypress tree, the intensity of her concentration and anger gave her a kind of integrity that I always associated with Alafair.
THE FOLLOWING DAY I called the Baylor house and asked Mrs. Baylor to come into the department for an interview.
“More about the looters who were shot?” she said.
“That’s correct.”
“Is this absolutely necessary?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is,” I said.
“We’re out on Old Jeanerette Road, just past Alice Plantation. Why don’t you come here if you want to talk?”
I realized Thelma had not told her stepmother of my visit. “I’d be happy to.”
“Mr. Robicheaux, let’s do this on another basis. I seriously believe you’re wasting your time with us, but nonetheless we’d like to be your friend. Can we take you and your family to dinner? I think you’ll see we’re truthful people and want to assist you in any way we can. But the reality is we’re bystanders who have no idea who shot those men.”
“That’s kind of you. But there’s a protocol I have to pursue. Will you be home in the next half hour?”
“No, I have a doctor’s appointment.”