“County tax records are public.”
“I don’t need a lesson.”
“Apparently you need Wi-Fi.”
A few guests laughed despite themselves.
Simone shot her sister a warning look.
“Talia.”
“What?”
“Not helping.”
Reed pointed toward Talia.
“She needs to watch the attitude.”
Talia’s expression changed.
“Which attitude?”
Simone stepped slightly between them.
“Deputy, I’m willing to show you my driver’s license. I am not consenting to a search of my home.”
Reed looked at her.
“You’re refusing entry?”
“Yes.”
“For the record?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Simone almost laughed.
“Because it is my house.”
Reed scanned the yard again.
Most guests were Black.
Not all.
A handful were white, Latino, and Asian.
But from where Reed stood, the crowd was visibly a predominantly Black gathering inside one of Bellhaven’s most expensive sections.
He looked toward the food.
The smoke.
Coolers.
Tables.
Then back at Simone.
“We’ve had reports of illegal activity connected to large parties.”
Talia’s eyes narrowed.
“Here?”
“In the county.”
“That was not my question.”
Reed ignored her.
“I smell something.”
Simone looked toward the grill.
“Brisket.”
A few guests laughed again.
Reed did not.
“You think this is funny?”
“No.”
Simone’s tone sharpened.
“I think you walked through my gate responding to a caller who apparently wasn’t even sure anything was wrong. I have identified myself as the homeowner. I’ve offered to show you identification. Now you want to search my house.”
She pointed toward the side gate.
“You may wait outside while I get my license.”
Reed stayed still.
“I need to see inside first.”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
Reed stepped closer.
“Ma’am.”
“No.”
“Do not obstruct an investigation.”
“What investigation?”
He looked at her.
“Potential trespassing.”
“By me?”
“By anyone here.”
Simone turned slightly toward the crowd.
“Anybody here break into my house?”
Darius raised his hamburger.
“Not today.”
People laughed.
Simone immediately regretted giving the yard a joke.
Reed’s face reddened.
“You think this is a game.”
“No.”
“Everybody stand where you are.”
That order changed the mood.
Several guests stopped smiling.
A mother pulled two children farther from the food area.
Talia stepped closer to Simone.
Quietly, she said, “Call a supervisor.”
Simone nodded.
“Deputy, please request your supervisor.”
Reed looked at her.
“I don’t need one.”
“I’m requesting one.”