Patricia became irritated.
"I've lived here for twenty-eight years. I know what this neighborhood looks like."
The dispatcher recorded the call.
Ten minutes later, a police cruiser turned onto the street.
Patricia watched from behind the curtains.
Daniel heard the vehicle before he saw it.
He looked toward the street.
A cruiser stopped near his driveway.
An officer stepped out.
Another officer remained inside.
Daniel took another sip of coffee.
He assumed they were looking for someone else.
Then the officer walked directly toward his house.
Daniel put down his mug.
"Good morning."
The officer didn't answer.
He stopped at the bottom of the porch steps.
"Come down here."
Daniel looked around.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Daniel walked down two steps.
"What can I do for you?"
"Identification."
Daniel frowned.
"Is there a problem?"
"We received a call."
"About?"
"A suspicious person."
Daniel glanced behind himself.
"On my property?"
The officer's expression hardened.
"Do you live here?"
"Yes."
"Name?"
"Daniel Carter."
"Identification."
"My wallet is inside."
"Go get it."
Daniel turned toward the door.
The officer immediately said:
"Stop."
Daniel turned back.
"You just told me to get my wallet."
"I said don't move until I tell you."
Daniel stared at him.
The officer was tall, perhaps in his late forties.
His nameplate read:
M. HARRIS.
Daniel had spent enough years interviewing people to recognize the early signs of unnecessary escalation.
He kept his voice calm.
"Officer Harris, I am trying to cooperate."
"Then cooperate."
"May I retrieve my identification?"
"Not yet."
Daniel nodded.
"All right."
The officer looked around.
"When did you move in?"
"Four months ago."
"Where were you before?"
"Atlanta."
"Why did you move here?"
"Personal reasons."
"What do you do?"
Daniel looked at him.
"Why is my occupation relevant?"
Harris stepped closer.
"I'm asking the questions."
Daniel took a slow breath.
"I understand."
The second officer finally got out of the cruiser.
She was younger.
Her name was Officer Elena Ruiz.
She looked at Daniel, then at Harris.
"What's going on?"
"Suspicious person."
Ruiz looked at Daniel.
Then at the house.
Then at the open door.
"Does he live here?"
Harris nodded toward Daniel.
"That's what he claims."
Daniel almost laughed.
"That's what the property records confirm."
Harris looked at him.
"You have property records?"
"Inside."
"Then why don't you show us?"
Daniel pointed toward his house.
"Because you won't let me go inside."
Ruiz looked at Harris.
Harris ignored her.
"How did you get into the house?"
Daniel stared.
"Through the front door."
"It was unlocked?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it's my house."
Harris's jaw tightened.
"Who sold it to you?"
Daniel gave him the name of the real-estate company.
Harris wrote it down.
"Do you have proof?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"Inside."
Harris looked at Ruiz.
"Check the address."
Ruiz returned to the cruiser.
Daniel waited.
A few seconds later, she looked at the screen.
Then she looked at Daniel.
Then at Harris.
"Officer."
Harris didn't turn.
"What?"
"Property records show the house belongs to Daniel Carter."
Harris finally turned.
"Run the driver's license."
"I don't have it yet."
Harris looked at Daniel.
"Get your ID."
Daniel stared at him.
"You want me to go inside now?"
"Yes."
Daniel walked slowly toward the door.
Harris followed him.
Daniel stopped.
"Do you want to come inside?"