Several had brought side dishes.
Others had contributed money toward the cookout's neighborhood fundraiser.
And Michael had spent almost four hundred dollars on the meat alone.
Now everything exposed to the extinguisher discharge would have to be discarded.
Evelyn looked pleased.
“Maybe next time you'll respect the rules.”
Michael turned toward her.
His face was red.
“What rules?”
She gave a short laugh.
“Section Seven, Subsection C. Unauthorized recreational fires and hazardous outdoor cooking activities.”
He stared.
“It's a barbecue grill.”
“A commercial-sized barbecue grill.”
“It's a normal backyard grill!”
Evelyn pointed toward it.
“It's oversized, unsightly, and a danger to the entire community.”
Michael spread his hands.
“There wasn't even a fire outside the grill!”
“Not yet.”
For a moment, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Then he noticed something beyond the patio.
A police cruiser had pulled into his driveway.
Two neighbors were standing near the side gate, looking toward the street.
An officer stepped out of the vehicle.
He was a broad-shouldered white American man in his mid-forties, wearing a neatly pressed navy police uniform, black duty belt, and peaked cap. His expression was serious but controlled.
His name was Officer Daniel Harris.
He had responded to hundreds of complaints during his seventeen years on the Richmond-area police force.
Noise disputes.
Neighbor arguments.
Property disagreements.
And more than a few complaints involving homeowner associations.
But when he entered Michael's backyard, he found something unusual.
An expensive grill covered in white powder.
A crowd of shocked neighbors.
A homeowner standing beside ruined food.
And a blonde woman in a bright floral blouse holding a recently discharged fire extinguisher.
Officer Harris stopped.
He examined the scene.
Then looked toward Evelyn.
“Ma'am, are you the person who called?”
She immediately smiled.
“Yes, Officer. Evelyn Hartwell. HOA president.”
She said the title as though it should explain everything.
Harris nodded.
“All right. We received a report of an active fire hazard involving an unattended outdoor cooking device. Is everyone safe?”
Michael stared.
“Unattended?”
Evelyn interrupted.
“Officer, this man was operating an illegal cooking installation in the middle of a residential neighborhood.”
Harris looked toward the grill.
Then toward Michael.
“Sir, is this your property?”
“Yes.”
“Your grill?”
“Yes.”
“Was it unattended?”
“No. I've been standing beside it all afternoon.”
Evelyn folded her arms.
“That's his version.”
Michael turned toward her.
“YOUR VERSION IS THAT YOU JUST DESTROYED OUR ENTIRE BARBECUE!”
The officer raised one hand.
“Sir, I understand you're upset. Let's keep some distance and speak one at a time.”
Michael took a breath.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
Harris turned toward Evelyn.
“Ma'am, did you discharge that extinguisher?”
She smiled proudly.
“Absolutely.”
“Was there a fire outside the grill?”
“Not when I arrived.”