“Shoveling her driveway.”
Silence.
Then laughter.
A lot of laughter.
I let him finish.
“You done?”
“Not remotely.”
“She created a mandatory service program.”
Adam laughed again.
“You’re serious.”
“Unfortunately.”
He finally composed himself.
“She called the department.”
That stopped me.
“For what?”
“She initially called the non-emergency line saying a homeowner was refusing an HOA directive.”
“Okay.”
“Dispatcher told her that isn’t a police issue.”
“Good.”
“So she called back.”
“Of course.”
“This time she said you behaved aggressively toward community leadership and created a public-safety concern.”
I set down my fork.
“I told her to hire someone.”
“I figured.”
Adam sighed.
“I’m in your sector finishing another report, so Sergeant Davis assigned me to take the complaint because otherwise she apparently intends to keep calling.”
“You shouldn’t handle it.”
“I told him you’re my brother.”
“And?”
“He said take another officer.”
That was better.
Adam arrived with Officer Melissa Grant about ten minutes later.
Cynthia was waiting.
Of course she was.
She rushed down her driveway before the cruiser completely stopped and began talking before Adam closed the door. From my front window I could see her pointing toward my house, then toward her driveway, then making several broad gestures as though describing a hostage negotiation.
I stepped onto the porch.
Melissa approached me while Adam stayed with Cynthia.
“Morning.”
“Morning.”
“You Evan?”
“Yes.”
She glanced toward the shovel beside my garage.
“I’m told there’s a dispute over snow removal.”
“That is the glamorous version.”
Melissa almost smiled.
I explained exactly what happened.
No exaggeration.
No commentary.
Cynthia crossed the street before I finished and interrupted.
“He is omitting the threatening manner in which he spoke to me.”
Melissa looked toward her.
“What did he threaten?”
“He told me I couldn’t tell him what to do.”
“That’s not a threat.”
“He challenged my authority.”
Melissa waited.
Cynthia apparently expected more.
Adam stepped closer.
“Ms. Rawlins, the department does not enforce HOA labor assignments.”
“It is community service.”
“Still not a criminal issue.”
“He violated association rules.”
“Then use the association’s enforcement process.”
“He was insubordinate.”
Adam paused.
“Homeowners are not employees of the board.”
Cynthia stared at him.
“You’re obviously biased because he’s your brother.”
Adam nodded.
“That’s why Officer Grant is here.”
Melissa folded her arms.
“Nothing Mr. Whitmore described constitutes a criminal offense, and nothing you’ve described changes that.”
Cynthia’s face hardened.
“I want your supervisor.”
“You’re welcome to request one.”
“I will.”
Adam sighed.
“Okay.”
She called.
Sergeant Davis arrived twelve minutes later.