Jordan read the complaints.
His expression changed.
“I didn't know about these.”
“We didn't want you worrying.”
Jordan looked at his mother.
“Why does she hate me?”
Elena answered carefully.
“I don't know.”
Jordan looked at the papers.
“She keeps saying I'm suspicious.”
Daniel sat beside him.
“Jordan, listen to me.”
Jordan looked up.
“Some people make assumptions about others because of fear, prejudice, insecurity, or misinformation.”
“Which one is she?”
Daniel sighed.
“I don't know.”
Jordan's eyes filled with frustration.
“But she knows me.”
“She thinks she knows you.”
“That isn't the same thing.”
“No.”
Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder.
“It isn't.”
That afternoon, Daniel contacted the HOA board.
He requested an emergency meeting.
The board president, Richard Bell, agreed.
But before the meeting could happen, another incident occurred.
At 6:40 p.m., someone called the police again.
This time, they claimed two unknown men had entered the Carter home.
Jordan was upstairs.
Elena was in the kitchen.
Daniel was in the garage.
The police arrived within minutes.
Jordan heard the sirens.
He looked out the window.
Two officers approached the front door.
Behind them stood Margaret.
She was pointing toward the house.
Jordan's stomach tightened.
He went downstairs.
“Mom.”
Elena looked through the window.
“Oh no.”
Daniel came in from the garage.
“What happened?”
“The police are here again.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
He walked to the front door.
Before he opened it, he looked at Jordan.
“Stay inside.”
The knock came.
Daniel opened the door.
Officer Brooks was there again.
This time his expression was different.
More cautious.
“Mr. Carter.”
“What now?”
“We received another report.”
“About?”
“Two unidentified men entering your home.”
Daniel frowned.
“What two men?”
“We don't know.”
Daniel looked behind him.
His wife.
His son.
No one else.
“Then you're at the wrong house.”
Officer Brooks glanced toward Margaret.
She stood near the sidewalk.
“I was told two men entered.”
Daniel looked at her.
“By whom?”
Margaret raised her voice.
“I saw them.”
Daniel stared.
“From where?”
“My house.”
“Then what did you see?”
“Two men entered.”
“When?”
“About ten minutes ago.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No one entered.”
Margaret pointed.
“They're inside.”
Officer Nguyen stepped forward.
“Mr. Carter, we need to verify everyone inside.”
Daniel's patience was gone.
“You've been here twice today.”
“We're responding to a call.”
“And once again, no crime has occurred.”
“We're asking you to cooperate.”
Daniel looked at the officers.
Then at Margaret.
Then back.
“Do you have a warrant?”
Brooks shook his head.
“No.”
“Then you are not entering my home.”
Margaret shouted:
“They're hiding something!”
Jordan stepped into the hallway.
Daniel turned.
“Jordan, go upstairs.”
Margaret saw him.
“There! That's the boy!”
Officer Brooks looked toward her.
“Ma'am.”
“He's the one!”
Brooks's expression hardened.
“That's Mr. Carter's son.”
“I know!”
“Then why are you describing him as an intruder?”
Margaret stopped.
Daniel stared at her.
For the first time, Officer Brooks seemed to understand that something was wrong.
He lowered his radio.
“Who exactly did you see?”
Margaret pointed toward the house.
“Two men.”
“Can you describe them?”
She hesitated.
“Tall.”
“Anything else?”
“Dark clothing.”
“Faces?”
“No.”
“Vehicle?”
“No.”
“Did you see them enter?”
“Yes.”
“Through which door?”
Margaret pointed.
“The front.”