Daniel looked up.

Vanessa Holloway climbed out.

He recognized her immediately from the HOA welcome packet.

The photograph showed a serious woman in a navy blazer.

The real woman was louder.

Styled blonde hair.

Oversized black sunglasses.

Hot-pink blazer.

White blouse.

White tailored trousers.

Nude heels that were entirely unsuitable for a garage floor.

She marched toward him.

No greeting.

“Are you Daniel Mercer?”

Daniel wiped his hands on a shop towel.

“Yes.”

“You threatened my son.”

“No.”

“He says you did.”

“Then he's mistaken.”

Vanessa stopped.

“Are you calling my child a liar?”

Daniel considered his words.

“I'm saying his description is false.”

“That is the same thing.”

“No.”

He dropped the towel onto the workbench.

“It is more precise.”

Vanessa removed her sunglasses.

Her eyes were already angry.

“My son came home extremely upset.”

“He was told to stay off my property.”

“He was looking at a car.”

“He was trying to open it.”

“He's sixteen.”

Daniel waited.

Vanessa spread her hands.

“What exactly did you think he was going to do?”

“Open a vehicle he didn't have permission to enter.”

She laughed.

“You're unbelievable.”

“Apparently.”

She stepped toward the Mustang.

“Brayden loves Mustangs.”

“That's nice.”

“He told me he asked if he could drive it.”

“He did.”

“And you said no.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Daniel stared at her.

“Why what?”

“Why won't you let him drive it?”

Daniel actually laughed.

Vanessa's face hardened.

“You think this is funny?”

“A little.”

“My son is responsible.”

“That is irrelevant.”

“He has a learner's permit.”

“Also irrelevant.”

“He has driven expensive vehicles.”

“Good for him.”

Vanessa stepped closer.

“Then what is your problem?”

Daniel looked at her.

“It's my car.”

For several seconds, neither spoke.

The sentence was so obvious that Daniel couldn't understand why it needed defending.

Vanessa finally crossed her arms.

“This neighborhood has community standards.”

Daniel looked around.

“I wasn't aware community standards included vehicle sharing.”

“Don't be sarcastic.”

“Then don't ask absurd questions.”

Her mouth opened.

Daniel knew immediately that he had escalated things.

He didn't regret it.

Vanessa pointed at the Mustang.

“My son wants one drive.”

“No.”

“Ten minutes.”

“No.”

“I'll supervise.”

“No.”

Her face reddened.

“You're being deliberately difficult.”

“I'm giving you the same answer repeatedly.”

Vanessa put her sunglasses back on.

“I can make this very uncomfortable for you.”

Daniel leaned against the workbench.

“There it is.”

“What?”

“The HOA threat.”

“It isn't a threat.”

“It sounded impressive.”

Vanessa ignored him.

“Your garage door has been open for more than six hours on multiple days.”

Daniel blinked.

“Is that prohibited?”

“It can be considered visual clutter.”

He looked at the immaculate garage.

Tools arranged neatly.

Floor swept.

No trash.

“Anything else?”

“The car has been parked in the driveway during repairs.”

“It's registered.”

“That doesn't mean it fits neighborhood appearance guidelines.”

Daniel laughed.

Vanessa snapped:

“Stop laughing at me.”

“Then stop inventing violations because I won't loan your teenager a classic car.”

She pulled out her phone.

Daniel's amusement disappeared.

“What are you doing?”

“Documenting your hostility.”

“Good.”

He pointed toward the camera beneath the garage eave.

“My cameras have been doing that since you arrived.”

Vanessa looked up.

Her confidence faltered for half a second.

Then returned.

“Perfect.”

She held up her phone.

“Repeat what you said.”

Daniel looked directly at it.

“Your son does not have permission to enter, touch, or drive my Mustang.”

Vanessa smiled.

“You sound unstable.”

Daniel shook his head.

“That was disappointing.”

“What?”

“I expected something more creative.”

She lowered the phone.

“Brayden said you threatened to call the police.”

“I said I would document another trespass formally.”

“So now he's a trespasser?”

“If he enters private property after being told not to, that's what the situation becomes.”

“He lives here.”

“Not in this house.”

Vanessa stepped closer.

“You don't talk about my son like he's some criminal.”

Daniel's expression hardened.

“Then teach him not to behave as though property boundaries are optional.”

Vanessa raised her phone.

“You're threatening a minor.”

“No.”

“I heard it.”

“You heard a sentence you dislike.”

“You know what?”

She started tapping her screen.

“I'm done.”

“Good.”

“I'm calling the police.”

Daniel paused.

Then almost smiled.

Vanessa noticed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Think I won't?”

“No.”

Daniel folded his arms.

“Please do.”

For the first time, Vanessa looked uncertain.

Then anger won.

She dialed 911.

Daniel could hear enough.

“Yes, I need officers.”

“I'm at 1438 Hawthorne Ridge Drive.”

“There's an aggressive man threatening my teenage son.”

Daniel closed his eyes.

He knew immediately what was happening.

She was constructing a story.

“Yes, he's still here.”

“No weapons that I can see.”

“He's been hostile since I arrived.”

“My son is afraid to come outside.”

Daniel opened his eyes.

Across the street, Brayden was visibly standing behind a bedroom window.

He was not afraid.

He was watching.

Vanessa continued talking.

Daniel said nothing.

When she finally ended the call, she smiled.

“Still think this is funny?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“But I think you're going to regret making a false report.”

“It isn't false.”

“We'll let them decide.”

Vanessa crossed her arms.

“You really think officers are going to believe you over the HOA president?”

Daniel stared at her.

“That is an extraordinary question.”

“It's reality.”

“No.”

Daniel shook his head.

“It's how you think authority works.”

She laughed.

“You moved here three weeks ago.”

“And?”

“I have relationships in this community.”

“Good.”

“The department knows me.”

Daniel almost smiled.

“That may be true.”

“You should have thought about that before bullying my son.”