“She says you owe almost two hundred dollars.”
“Then she can send an invoice.”
“She said the groceries will do.”
Darnell stared at him.
“Go home.”
Cody didn't move.
“You're scared to call the police.”
Darnell almost laughed.
“No.”
“Then why don't you?”
“Because you're sixteen.”
Cody frowned.
“I'm not a kid.”
“Then start acting like it.”
Cody left.
Bettina arrived four minutes later.
Her phone was recording.
So was Darnell's doorbell camera.
She accused him of threatening her son.
“What threat did he describe?”
“You intimidated him.”
“How?”
“You told him to think carefully.”
“I did.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“It was advice.”
Bettina stepped closer.
“I'll call the police.”
Darnell looked at the phone.
“If you believe a crime occurred, call.”
She stared at him.
Then walked away.
That evening, Darnell called Simone.
“Dad,” she said, “why are you still living there?”
“Because I own the house.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
Darnell smiled.