And the moment Evelyn opened the front door and announced that the man Mallory was threatening had become the department's new chief.
Now, standing beside the porch with the handcuffs still in his hand, Mallory seemed incapable of remembering what he'd intended to do.
His face had gone pale.
He looked toward Marcus.
Then toward Evelyn.
Finally, he attempted a nervous smile.
“Chief, there's been a misunderstanding.”
Marcus didn't move.
“Explain it.”
Mallory swallowed.
“We got a complaint about a disturbance involving a suspicious male.”
Marcus looked toward Alan.
“A complaint from whom?”
The officer hesitated.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain whether to answer.
Then Alan spoke.
“I called because I was worried about your mother.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“You were worried about me?”
Alan raised both hands.
“Mrs. Price, I was trying to protect the neighborhood.”
She took another step down the porch stairs.
“From my son repairing my railing?”
Alan's face tightened.
“That's not what I meant.”
Marcus looked toward the screwdriver lying on the porch step.
Then back at Mallory.
“Officer, did anyone tell you I'd committed a crime?”
Mallory swallowed.
“The caller reported suspicious activity.”
“What activity?”
The officer hesitated.
“A possible disturbance.”
Marcus nodded.
“Did you observe a disturbance when you arrived?”
Mallory looked toward Alan.
Then toward the porch.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Marcus continued.
“When you approached, I was standing here with a screwdriver and a box of replacement screws. I put the screwdriver down before speaking to you.”
Mallory nodded nervously.
“Yes, Chief.”
“I answered your questions.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you told me to leave the property.”
The officer opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Marcus took a slow breath.
“When I explained that my mother owned the house, you accused me of lying.”
Mallory swallowed.
“Sir, I didn't know—”
“Stop.”
The officer froze.
Marcus looked toward his hands.
“You need to put the handcuffs away.”
Mallory immediately returned them to his duty belt.
Then Marcus took one step backward, creating space between them.
He looked toward the body camera mounted on the officer's chest.
“Is your camera recording?”
Mallory glanced down.
For a fraction of a second, something strange crossed his face.