She told me these things almost playfully, as if making them sound light would keep them from becoming serious.

I asked if she wanted me to come over.

“No, Mom,” she said. “Andrés gets irritated when people make a big deal out of things.”

People. Not him. People.

That was when I called Salgado and asked whether the common areas could legally have cameras installed for property security. He said yes, with limits.

No bedrooms. No bathrooms. No private spaces. Only the entrances, the dining room, the kitchen, and the hall to the front door.