“Did you touch anyone?”
“No.”
“Did you block the street or interfere with traffic?”
“No. I was getting out of my car when she approached.”
Brooks nodded once, then turned to Denise.
“Ma’am, can you tell me what happened?”
Denise’s mouth opened, then closed. She had expected the officer to arrive and validate her authority. Instead, he was asking questions.
“I already explained. This car is unauthorized. I instructed him to move it, and he refused.”
“Is it parked on association property?”
“It’s in the driveway.”
“Is the driveway part of this homeowner’s lot?”
“Yes, but—”
“Is the vehicle blocking a public road?”
“No, but it violates our standards.”
Brooks glanced toward Marcus.
“Do you have your registration and identification available, Chief?”
“Inside the house. But I’m not sure why we need them.”
“Neither am I at this point. I’m establishing the facts.”
Denise’s eyes darted between them.
“Officer, I called because he threatened me.”
Brooks’s expression remained professional.
“What exactly did he say?”
“He told me I’d better be ready to explain myself to the police.”
“That’s not a threat of violence,” Marcus said quietly.
Brooks raised one hand, a small gesture asking him to let the officer finish.
“Ma’am, did he threaten to hurt you?”
Denise hesitated.
“He said he’d explain himself to the police.”
“That’s what you just said. Did he threaten to physically harm you?”
“No, but he was intimidating.”
“How?”
“He was standing there looking at me.”
Brooks looked at Marcus, then back at Denise.
“Standing in his own driveway?”
Denise’s face reddened.
“You don’t understand. I have responsibilities here.”
“I understand that you’re the HOA president. That doesn’t give the association authority to tow a vehicle from a private driveway without a lawful basis.”
“I can issue a violation.”
“That’s an association matter. It isn’t automatically a police matter.”
Denise’s expression hardened.
“You’re taking his side.”
“I’m asking questions.”
“He is refusing to cooperate.”
Brooks looked toward the Mustang.
“What do you want him to cooperate with?”
Denise’s hand rose again.