“Daniel, I’d prefer this not become a prolonged scene. I want to go inside.”
Brooks nodded.
“Understood.”
He turned to Denise.
“Do you have any further information relevant to a possible crime or immediate safety concern?”
She stared at him.
“I have a violation.”
“Then submit it to the association.”
“I’m telling you the vehicle is prohibited.”
“Do you have the governing document with you?”
Denise’s eyes flickered toward the paper in her hand.
“I have the violation notice.”
“Does it cite the specific section?”
She looked down at the page.
There was a long pause.
“No.”
“Then I recommend you review the governing documents before issuing a formal notice.”
Denise’s face hardened.
“I know how to do my job.”
Marcus’s voice was quiet.
“Then do it fairly.”
For the first time, she had no immediate answer.
The first person to break the tension was Tyler Bennett.
“Mrs. Whitaker,” he said, his voice still uncertain, “I think the car is allowed.”
Denise turned on him.
“Tyler, I told you to stay out of this.”
“But my dad has the same kind of car.”
“It’s not the same.”
“It’s a Mustang.”
“Your father’s car is a different color.”
Tyler looked confused.
“Does color matter?”
Denise opened her mouth.
Then she closed it.
Brooks glanced at the teenager.
“Tyler, do you live here?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Would you be comfortable giving me your name and a brief statement about what you saw?”
Tyler looked toward Denise again.
She gave him a furious stare.
Marcus spoke gently.
“You don’t have to say anything you’re uncomfortable saying. Just tell the truth if you choose to speak.”
Tyler nodded.
“I saw her walk over and tell him to move the car. He asked what rule he broke. She said she didn’t have to tell him. Then she said she’d have it towed.”
Brooks wrote down the statement.