Pamela said nothing.
Wade continued:
“You thought smashing it was acceptable because you thought he owned it.”
“No.”
“Then explain the distinction.”
Pamela looked toward the deputy.
As if seeking rescue.
None came.
She tried another direction.
“This is a civil HOA matter.”
Wade nodded.
“It was.”
She visibly relaxed.
Then Wade pointed toward the shattered glass.
“Until you brought a bat.”
The relief vanished.
Wade addressed the deputy.
“Take her statement.”
Pamela blinked.
“What?”
“Deputy will take your statement.”
“You mean his.”
“Everyone’s.”
She stared.
“I’m not being detained.”
The deputy answered:
“Right now, ma’am, you're being asked to remain while we investigate property damage.”
Pamela looked toward Wade.
“This is outrageous.”
Wade said nothing.
She pointed toward Marcus.
“He provoked this.”
Marcus laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because he could no longer help it.
Pamela spun.
“You did!”
Marcus raised the phone.
“Tell the camera exactly how.”
“You ignored lawful HOA orders.”
“Name the rule.”
She froze.
Marcus continued:
“We've been doing this all morning.”
“You still haven't named it.”
Pamela’s breathing quickened.
“There are general nuisance provisions.”
“Vehicles aren't listed.”
“Discretion.”
“Not criminal damage.”
“Administrative enforcement.”
“With a baseball bat.”
Pamela snapped:
“Stop saying that!”
Everyone went silent.
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Pamela, you used a baseball bat.”
She stared.
It was the simplest fact.
Impossible to decorate.
Impossible to bureaucratize.
Impossible to convert into an acronym.
She used a baseball bat.
On a car.
In someone else's driveway.
Because an email did not receive obedience.
Wade walked around the Rolls.
He inspected each broken window.
Caroline had loved that vehicle.
Marcus knew what Wade was thinking.
It was not the money.
Insurance could repair the glass.
Wade had money.
His late wife’s estate had money.
That was irrelevant.
The car carried memory.
Caroline had chosen the interior.
Cream leather with dark blue piping.
She kept sunglasses in the center console that Wade still had not removed.
A scarf remained in the back.
Marcus once asked why.
Wade answered:
“Because then I’d have to admit she isn't coming back for it.”
Now the glass lay across those seats.
Marcus felt anger rise for his friend.
Wade noticed.
“Marcus.”
“Yeah?”
“Don't.”
Marcus nodded.
He understood.
Do not turn her mistake into yours.
Pamela saw the exchange.
“You two know each other.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Nine years.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“This was a setup.”