“Because I’ve never seen it before. When you’re retired, you get to know the street in front of your house. There’s a rhythm. When a truck circles your block real slow and pauses in front of the house across the street, it’s impossible not to notice.”

“This area is starting to change,” Jordan said. “Lots of new people coming and going.”

“Sure, I’ve seen new people driving around, looking at houses. But this guy drove slow and stopped in front of that house.”

Jordan fingered the receipt dated April 8. “Do you remember what time of day?”

“I remember exactly. Live with Kelly and Ryan had just ended, and I was rising to make a cup of instant decaf. I was waiting on the kettle and strolled to the door. That’s when I saw the truck. Made three passes about ten a.m.”

“And the driver never got out?”

“Not that I saw. He could have come by during the show, and I wouldn’t have noticed.”

Jordan studied the letters and numbers, reminding herself the eight was not a three. “And the driver has not come back?”

“Not that I saw.”

“What time do you go to bed?”

“Ten p.m., like clockwork. I thought I’d stay up late after I retired, but too many years of a routine is hard to break.”

“I get it. I’m like that.”

If the driver had returned after 10:00 p.m., he could have parked in the garage, carried his victim inside, killed her, left, and Mrs. Penn never would have known. “If you think of anything else, Mrs. Penn, would you call me?”

“Sure. I’ll call.”

“Who lives to your right and left?”

“On the right is a guy who does something with computers. Works long hours, but he’s pleasant enough when I see him. Says he’s going to fix his place up when he gets the time. To the left is Mildred Harris. Her son just moved her to a nursing home.”

“Okay.” She got the name of the software engineer. He might be the kind of guy who was up late.

“What’s going on in that house across the street? Too many cops for it to be a squatter or a druggie.”

“A woman was killed.”

“How?”

“Can’t say yet.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“A little of both.” A wry smile tipped the edges of Jordan’s lips. “You’re sharp. I appreciate that. Wish we had more people like you in the world.”

The compliment did its job, and Mrs. Penn seemed to forget about asking more questions. “We all got to do our part.”

“Thank you again.”

“Keep me updated, Detective Poe. This is my home, and I want to be safe.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do that.”