I used his name deliberately.
His eyes returned to me.
“Place the handgun on the driveway.”
“No.”
“If you keep holding it, every second becomes harder for your lawyer.”
His face twitched.
“You threatening me?”
“No.”
“I am helping you stop making decisions.”
Then Gloria slapped Evan.
Hard.
The sound cracked across the driveway.
His phone flew from his hand and landed in the grass.
Lily screamed.
That ended my patience.
I moved.
Not toward Mercer’s weapon.
Toward Gloria.
I placed myself between her and Evan.
“Back up.”
She stared at me.
“You don't tell me what to do.”
“You just assaulted him.”
“He works for me.”
Evan held one cheek.
“No, I don't.”
Gloria’s mouth opened.
Evan looked at her with years of fear finally burning into anger.
“I resigned last night.”
That surprised everyone.
Especially Gloria.
“I sent the resignation to the management company.”
“You can't resign in the middle of enforcement proceedings.”
“Watch me.”
Mercer took a step backward.
I saw his eyes move toward the SUV.
He was thinking about leaving.
I pointed toward the gun.
“Do not get into that vehicle carrying that weapon.”
His face hardened.
“You're not arresting me.”
“Not yet.”
“Then move.”
“No.”
His body camera continued blinking.
He reached up.
I knew instantly what he intended.
“Don't.”
He tore the camera from his shirt.
Then threw it toward the pavement.
Evan lunged and caught it awkwardly against his chest.
Mercer’s eyes widened.
Evan looked almost as surprised as he did.
I smiled despite myself.
“Good catch.”
Then sirens appeared at the end of the street.
Lily.
I looked toward the porch.
She was no longer holding lemonade.
She held my phone.
I had left it beside the toolbox.
Her voice came small and trembling.
“I called 911.”
My chest hurt.
Not fear.
Pride mixed with guilt.
“You did exactly right.”
Mercer cursed.
Gloria turned toward the golf cart.
I pointed.
“Stay where you are.”
She laughed.
“You have no authority over me.”
A marked county police cruiser turned onto the street.
Then another.
I looked at her.
“Maybe they do.”
The first real officer out of the cruiser was Sergeant Naomi Patel.
I knew her by reputation.
Fulton County had worked several fugitive operations with our task force, though she and I had never met.
She exited with one hand near her holster.
“Everyone keep your hands visible.”
I raised mine.
Mercer did not.
His gun remained low beside his thigh.
Patel saw it immediately.
“Sir, put the firearm down.”
Mercer said:
“I’m security.”
“Gun down.”
“I’m authorized.”
“Gun.”
“Down.”
The second officer moved toward a flanking position.
Mercer finally crouched.
Placed the pistol on the pavement.
Stepped back.
Patel approached.
“Turn around.”
“This is ridiculous.”