David didn't flinch at the pointing finger. He remained perfectly still, his posture relaxed but his eyes narrowing with a sharp, protective instinct. He looked past Brenda, locking eyes with the young, inexperienced deputy who looked like he had graduated from the academy just a few months prior.
"Funny how the HOA suddenly needs a badge standing beside it just to bully one house," David said, his voice dripping with icy sarcasm.
The young deputy puffed out his chest, clearly feeling the need to assert his authority and appease the screaming woman next to him. He stepped up onto the first step of the porch, resting his thumb on his tactical vest. He didn't realize that HOA disputes were strictly civil matters, not criminal ones. He was just following the loudest voice in the room.
"Sir, if you keep refusing," the deputy began, his tone attempting to sound deep and intimidating.
He never got to finish that sentence.