“I expected compliance.”
Marcus nodded.
That was the answer.
Not resolution.
Not inspection.
Compliance.
He had heard versions of that word his entire career.
Usually from people who misunderstood the difference between lawful authority and obedience.
Cody climbed out of the pool.
Water streamed from his Spider-Man shorts.
He walked directly toward Marcus.
“Give me the phone.”
Marcus almost laughed again.
“No.”
“My mom says you can’t record minors.”
“That is not the law.”
Valerie snapped:
“Do not lecture my son on law.”
“Then stop teaching him imaginary law.”
Cody shoved Marcus’s shoulder.
Not hard.
But unmistakable.
Marcus did not move.
The boy’s face changed.
He had expected a reaction.
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Do not touch me again.”
Cody looked toward Valerie.
Her expression was more uncertain now.
Good.
Perhaps she finally understood the shape of the situation.
Then a vehicle engine approached the front of the house.
Not a marked cruiser.
Marcus recognized the sound before he saw anything.
A black Chevrolet Tahoe.
Sheriff department unmarked fleet.
Cody heard it too.
“What’s that?”
Valerie glanced toward the side of the house.
Marcus did not answer.
A second engine arrived.
Another unmarked vehicle.
Doors opened.
Fast.
Footsteps.
A male voice:
“Sheriff?”
Cody froze.
Valerie turned slowly.
Two deputies came through the still-open side gate.
Lieutenant Andre Brooks first.
Plain clothes.
Badge clipped to his belt.
Behind him came Deputy Nicole Grant in a dark polo and tactical pants.
Andre saw Marcus.
Wet.
Barefoot.
Swim shorts.
Then Cody.
Then Valerie.
He stopped.
“Sheriff, you all right?”
Silence.
Cody looked at Marcus.
Then at Andre.
Then at Marcus again.
The boy’s mouth opened.
Nothing.
Valerie removed her sunglasses.
“What did he call you?”
Marcus did not answer her.
He looked at Andre.
“I’m fine.”
Nicole immediately scanned the yard.
“No weapons?”
“No.”
“Injury?”
“No.”
Andre looked toward the gate.
“Unauthorized entry?”
“Yes.”
Valerie stepped forward.
“This is ridiculous.”
Nicole raised one hand.
“Ma’am, stay where you are.”
Valerie stopped.
“You don’t know what’s happening.”
Andre looked at Marcus.
Marcus said:
“Before anything else, I’m the complainant.”
Andre nodded.
Marcus continued.
“I’m also your sheriff, so you are not handling this beyond securing the scene.”
Valerie stared.
Cody looked pale.
Andre understood immediately.
“State police?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll request them.”
Valerie’s expression changed.
For the first time since entering the yard, she looked genuinely afraid.
Marcus did not enjoy it.