His eyes moved across the black writing.
He knew every curve of that car. He knew which panels had been repaired, which trim pieces had been replaced, and which imperfections remained from a restoration that took nearly six years.
He also knew how much the paint meant to him.
"Put the marker down," he said.
Brett laughed.
"Or what?"
Caleb looked directly at him.
"Put it down."
The young man's smile faltered briefly.
Then Marianne rushed forward.
"Don't you dare threaten my son!"
Caleb turned toward her.
"I just watched him vandalize my vehicle."
Marianne stepped between them.
"He's nineteen! You're a grown man twice his size!"
"He's old enough to know what he's doing."
She shoved Caleb's forearm aside and pointed directly at his chest.
"Touch my son, and I'll have you arrested!"
Caleb took one step backward.
He looked toward the spot where she'd touched him, then calmly raised his eyes.
"Don't put your hands on me again."
Brett began laughing.
His girlfriend, standing near the sidewalk, lowered her phone.
The young woman suddenly appeared less comfortable with the situation.
"Mrs. Voss," she whispered, "maybe we should go."
Marianne ignored her.
Instead, she raised her own phone and began dialing.
"That's it. I'm calling the police. You can explain your threats to them."
Caleb didn't move.
He glanced at the security camera above his garage.
Then at the smaller camera positioned near the front entrance.
For the first time since coming outside, his expression changed.
Not into a smile.
Something quieter.
Something that made Marianne hesitate.
He reached into his pocket and removed his smartphone.
"Go ahead," he said.
Brett leaned toward him.
"What, you gonna call your lawyer?"
Caleb unlocked the screen.
"No."
He opened his security application.
"I'm going to show you something."
Marianne folded her arms.
"Oh, please."
Caleb tapped the recording from that morning.
The first image showed his driveway several hours before Brett arrived with the marker.
Marianne appeared near the Lamborghini.
But she wasn't alone.
Two men stood beside her, one wearing a gray work shirt and carrying a folder. Parked near the curb was a flatbed truck belonging to a vehicle-recovery company.
Marianne glanced at the screen.
Her face changed.
Caleb noticed immediately.
He moved the phone slightly closer.
"Recognize this?"
She stared.
For several seconds, she didn't speak.
Then she reached toward the phone.
"Where did you get that?"
Caleb moved his hand away.
"From my driveway."