“Go get it.”
Marcus shifted his plate slightly. “You’ll need to wait here.”
Pierce stared at him. “Why?”
“Because I haven’t invited you inside.”
“We need to verify you.”
“I can bring it out.” Marcus pointed toward Blake.
“Your partner can also run my name and address.”
Pierce stepped closer. “Why are you making this difficult?”
“I’m not.”
“Put the plate down.”
Marcus looked at his ribs. “Why?”
“I gave you an instruction.”
“There’s a table right there.”
“Then put it down.”
Marcus placed the plate carefully on a small stand near the patio. Blake took one step toward his cruiser.
“Nolan, I can run the address while you talk to him.”
Pierce waved him off. “In a minute.”
From across the street, Diane called, “Officer!”
Every head near the gate turned. She stood at the edge of her lawn with her arms crossed.
“That’s him.”
Marcus looked at her. “The man doing what, Diane?”
Her face changed when he used her name. Pierce noticed.
“You know her?” he asked.
Marcus ignored the question. “Diane, you know I live here.”
“I know you’ve been around.”
Marcus almost laughed. “You walked into my driveway in April and complained about my yard bags.”
“I talk to a lot of people.”
“You called me by name in an HOA email two months ago.” Diane looked toward Pierce instead.
“I’m just telling you what I saw.”
Pierce held up a hand. “Enough.”
Marcus looked toward him. “She just confirmed she knows me.”
“She confirmed nothing.” Pierce pointed toward the fence.
“Hands on the fence.”
The entire yard seemed to become quieter. Marcus did not move.
“For what?”
“Suspicious behavior and failure to cooperate.”
“I’ve answered every question.”
“You’re challenging everything I say.”
“That is not a crime.”
Pierce stepped closer. “You see that attitude?”
Marcus lowered his voice further. “I am not raising my voice.”
“You’re a big man.”
“That doesn’t make my voice louder.”
“You trying to intimidate me?” Pierce asked.
“No.”
Naomi came down the deck steps. “Dad?”
Marcus immediately looked toward her. “Stay there.”
Pierce turned. “Who are you?”
“His daughter.”
“You live here?”