He stepped backward.
That was deliberate.
He placed both hands where they could be clearly seen.
That was deliberate too.
Patricia pointed toward him.
“Do not threaten me.”
Marcus stared.
“I haven’t touched you.”
“You were aggressive.”
“I stepped back.”
“I saw you tense up.”
Marcus laughed without humor.
“You hit my hand and threw my property.”
“And now you’re describing how my body looked while I stood still?”
Patricia opened her mouth.
A siren sounded faintly outside.
Then stopped.
Patricia’s expression changed immediately.
Relief.
Confidence.
Victory.
“There.”
Marcus looked toward the gate.
“You seem very happy police are coming.”
“Because they’ll remove you.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
Patricia mistook his calm for surrender.
“Good.”
She adjusted her blouse.
Smoothed her hair.
Then lowered her voice as if suddenly becoming reasonable.
“If you cooperate, this doesn’t need to become difficult.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Is that what you tell people?”
“What?”
“Before making things difficult?”
The first officer appeared through the gate thirty seconds later.
White male.
Mid-forties.
Broad shoulders.
Short brown hair under cap.
His right hand rested near his belt but not on his weapon.
A younger female officer followed.
Both scanned the yard quickly.
Patricia moved toward them before Marcus could speak.
“Officer.”
“Thank God.”
“There’s a man using this property without permission.”
The senior officer looked at Marcus.
Then the pool.
Then Patricia.
“Who called?”
“I did.”
“Name?”
“Patricia Halley.”
“I’m president of Westridge Estates HOA.”
The officer nodded.
“I’m Officer Daniels.”
He looked at Marcus.
“Sir, your name?”
“Marcus Reed.”
“You live here?”
“Yes.”
Patricia cut in.
“He does not.”
Officer Daniels looked at her.
“I’ll speak with him.”
Patricia stopped.
Marcus appreciated that.
Officer Daniels looked back.
“Do you have identification?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Inside.”
The officer glanced toward the house.
“Anyone else inside?”
“My eleven-year-old daughter and my sister.”
Patricia immediately said, “There may be more.”
The younger officer looked at her.
Officer Daniels ignored.
“Mr. Reed, can we verify your ID?”
“Absolutely.”
Marcus pointed toward his phone.
“My digital license is there.”
“My wallet’s inside.”
“I also have property records on my phone.”
Patricia shook her head.
“You cannot believe documents on his phone.”
Officer Daniels finally turned fully toward her.
“Ma’am.”
“Yes?”
“I need you to stop interrupting.”
Her mouth opened.
Closed.
Marcus picked up his phone slowly.
Unlocked it.