The officer paused.
He looked toward the black metal cooking chamber.
Then toward the powder-covered grass.
“So you used the extinguisher on a grill that was being operated for cooking?”
Evelyn's smile faded slightly.
“Officer, you need to understand that I am responsible for safety standards in this neighborhood.”
Harris looked toward her.
“Were flames spreading beyond the equipment?”
She hesitated.
“No. But they could have.”
Michael stared at the officer.
For a moment, he seemed unable to speak.
Then he pointed toward the ruined grill.
“Officer, she came through my side gate, started screaming, and sprayed the whole thing before anybody could stop her.”
Harris nodded.
“Okay. We'll take statements.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Good. Then you can issue this man a citation.”
The officer looked at her.
“For what?”
She seemed offended by the question.
“For violating our community regulations!”
Harris remained calm.
“HOA rules and criminal or municipal laws aren't automatically the same thing, ma'am.”
Evelyn blinked.
For a moment, she appeared confused.
Then she pointed toward Michael.
“Are you saying this man can simply disregard my authority?”
The officer didn't answer that question.
Instead, he looked down at the information on his department-issued device.
His expression changed slightly.
“Mrs. Hartwell?”
“Yes?”
“What time did this cookout begin?”
Michael answered before she could.
“A little after eleven-thirty. The first guests arrived around noon.”
Harris looked toward the grill.
Then toward Evelyn.
He checked the dispatch details again.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Finally, he asked a question that changed the atmosphere of the entire backyard.
“Mrs. Hartwell, why did you report an active cooking fire before they even started cooking?”
Evelyn went completely still.
The neighbors stopped whispering.
Michael slowly turned toward her.
The officer continued.
“Your complaint was logged at eleven twelve this morning.”
He looked toward the grill.
“Mr. Lawson says the grill wasn't lit until after eleven-thirty.”
Evelyn opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
For the first time since she'd entered the yard, she seemed unable to find the right words.
Finally, she laughed nervously.
“Well, Officer, I anticipated the danger.”
Harris stared at her.
“You anticipated an active fire?”
She folded her arms.
“I was aware this event was going to occur.”
Michael felt a chill move through his chest.
The officer glanced toward the witnesses.
Then back at Evelyn.
“Ma'am, I'd like you to explain exactly what you reported and why.”
Evelyn's face tightened.
For a moment, she looked toward the side gate.
As though considering whether she could simply leave.
Then Michael noticed something strange.
She was no longer holding the extinguisher like a trophy.
Her fingers had tightened around the handle.
And her eyes kept moving toward the officer's device.