His father had taught him enough about automotive finishes to understand that careless cleaning could worsen damage.
Now he stood several feet from the vehicle, waiting for the officers.
Two patrol officers approached.
One was a middle-aged Black American woman with a calm, professional manner.
The other was a younger white American man who began surveying the driveway.
The first officer introduced herself.
Then looked toward the McLaren.
For a moment, she appeared surprised by the amount of damage.
"What happened here?"
The former president spoke immediately.
"This man has been harassing my family!"
The officer looked toward her.
"Ma'am, I'll speak with everyone. Please let me start with the person who called."
The woman opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
The homeowner stepped forward.
"I own the house and the vehicle."
He gestured toward the McLaren.
"That man sprayed the car deliberately while his mother encouraged him."
The officer looked toward the young man.
He stared at the ground.
The homeowner continued.
"I ordered him to stop. She stepped in front of me and shoved my chest."
The officer nodded.
"Any injuries?"
"I don't believe so."
"Do you need medical attention?"
"Not at present."
She looked toward the car.
"Do you have video?"
"Yes."
The former president laughed sharply.
"Oh, now he's going to show you some edited little movie."
The officer turned.
"Ma'am, please wait your turn."
The woman folded her arms.
The homeowner showed the officer the relevant security-camera footage on his phone, explaining that the original recordings were preserved and could be provided through the appropriate process.
The officer watched.
The young man approached the McLaren.
Raised the spray can.
Sprayed.
Smiled.
Then sprayed again.
His mother cheered.
The homeowner approached.
She shoved him.
The officer's expression became increasingly serious.
When the clip ended, she looked toward the young man.
"Is that you?"
He swallowed.
"Yes."
His mother immediately interrupted.
"It was a maintenance demonstration."
The officer looked toward her.
"Please let him answer."
The young man glanced at his mother.
Then lowered his eyes.
"Yeah."
The officer continued.
"Did you have the owner's permission to spray the vehicle?"
He hesitated.
His mother stepped forward.
"The association authorized the work."
The officer looked toward the homeowner.
"Did you authorize it?"
"No."
She nodded.
Then turned back toward the young man.
"Did the owner give you permission?"
He shook his head.
"No."
The former president's expression changed.
For a moment, she looked almost betrayed.
The officer continued gathering statements.
The younger officer documented the vehicle damage and collected information about the spray can.
The former president repeatedly insisted that HOA rules made the action permissible.
Eventually, the senior officer turned toward her.
"Ma'am, an association dispute doesn't authorize someone to damage another person's vehicle."
The woman stared.
"But I'm the president."
The homeowner looked toward her.