Marcus looked at him.
“Sometimes they mistake anger for guilt, too.”
Daniel considered that.
“Yeah. I suppose they do.”
The inspection revealed that one of the valves was sticking and the pressure sensor needed replacement. Marcus wrote the findings in his report and sent a copy to the property manager.
By the time they finished, the clouds had begun to thin. A pale band of sunlight appeared over the rooftops, brightening the pool water and the wet stone deck.
The neighbors had gradually dispersed. Frank remained near the patio chairs, speaking quietly with the woman who had recorded the confrontation.
Victoria and Ethan were still beside the SUV.
Marcus approached them on his way back to the parking area.
Ethan looked up first.
“Sir?”
Marcus stopped.
“What's up?”
Ethan glanced at his mother, then back at Marcus.
“I'm sorry about the bat.”
Victoria's expression tightened.
Marcus regarded the young man.
“Thank you for saying that.”
“I didn't want to hit you.”
“I believe you.”
Ethan swallowed.
“I should've put it down sooner.”
“Yes,” Marcus said. “You should have.”
The young man nodded, accepting the correction.
Marcus's voice softened slightly.
“But you did put it down. That was the right decision.”
Ethan looked relieved.
Victoria stared at her son as though his apology were another act of betrayal.
Marcus turned toward her.
“Ms. Hale, I hope you'll take some time to think about what happened.”
She gave a brittle laugh.
“I don't need a lecture.”
“I'm not giving you one.”
“Then what do you want?”
Marcus paused.
“I want this community to be a place where everyone can feel safe. That includes residents who aren't immediately recognizable to you, contractors, guests, staff, and anyone else who has legitimate business here.”
Victoria looked toward the pool.
“You're making a much bigger issue out of this than necessary.”
“It became a bigger issue when you brought a bat into it.”
She flushed.
“Ethan wasn't going to use it.”
“Then it shouldn't have been there.”
The young man lowered his eyes.
Marcus continued.
“I'm not asking you to like me. I'm not asking you to agree with me about everything. But I am asking you to treat people fairly, and to stop assuming that someone doesn't belong because you haven't seen them before.”
Victoria's expression remained guarded.
“You don't know anything about my responsibilities.”
“Perhaps not.”