No fight.
No loud music.
Just food.
A table.
And a woman who had walked into his backyard with two officers.
Marcus had learned long ago that anger could become a trap.
If he shouted, people would remember the shouting.
If he stood up aggressively, people would remember the movement.
If he became emotional, someone might call him threatening.
So he stayed seated.
He kept his hands visible.
And he asked questions.
"What disturbance did you report?"
Caroline immediately responded.
"I didn't say there was a disturbance."
The older officer looked at her.
Caroline hesitated.
Marcus noticed.
"So what exactly did you tell them?"
She crossed her arms.
"I told them there was suspicious activity."
Marcus stared at her.
He looked around the backyard again.
A plate of sausages.
Hamburger buns.
A bottle of beer.
A folding chair.
A barbecue grill.
His house.
His life.
He looked back at Caroline.
"What part of this is suspicious?"
She didn't answer immediately.
The younger officer looked uncomfortable.
Caroline pointed at Marcus.
"You don't understand."
"I understand perfectly."
"No, you don't."
"Then explain it."
She took a breath.
"I saw people coming and going."
"It's a barbecue."
"You don't normally have this many visitors."
Marcus slowly shook his head.
"How many people?"
Caroline looked behind him.
"I don't know."
"So you don't know how many people were here."
"I saw vehicles."
"Which vehicles?"
She became irritated.
"You are avoiding the issue."
Marcus almost smiled.
"No. I'm asking you to tell me what the issue is."
The older officer stepped forward.
"Sir, we're just trying to determine what's happening."
Marcus looked at him.
"Officer, I can tell you what's happening."
He pointed at the table.
"I'm having lunch in my backyard."
He pointed toward the grill.