“I thought he was suspicious.”
“Doing what?”
“Walking around the neighborhood.”
“He’s seven.”
“I know that now.”
“You knew he was a child when you called.”
Lorraine looked away.
Camille continued.
“Did you see him commit a crime?”
“No.”
“Did you ask him what he was doing?”
“No.”
“Did you read what he was carrying?”
“No.”
“Then what exactly frightened you?”
Lorraine’s cheeks reddened.
“I didn’t recognize him.”
Camille nodded slowly.
“There it is.”
Lorraine immediately became defensive.
“I was protecting my neighborhood.”
Camille looked around Willow Crest.
“My son’s home is three blocks away.”
“That isn’t technically Hawthorne Ridge.”
Isaiah looked up.
Camille’s expression became still.
“This city does not end at your subdivision sign.”
Lorraine opened her mouth.
Camille raised one hand.
“Please do not make this worse by explaining which children you believe look like they naturally belong on which streets.”
Lorraine stopped.
The neighborhood was silent.
Camille turned back to the officers.
“I want the incident number.”
“Of course.”
“I want all body-camera footage preserved.”
“Yes, Mayor.”
“And I want dispatch records reviewed.”
Hargrove nodded.
Camille’s voice never rose.
That made the moment heavier.
Then she looked at Isaiah.
“Do you want to go home?”
He looked down at the stack of flyers.
“How many houses are left?”
Camille blinked.
“Isaiah.”
“I have six.”
Terrence laughed softly.
Camille tried not to.
“You do not have to finish.”
“I know.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you want to keep going?”
Isaiah looked at her as if the answer were obvious.
“Because our robot still needs plane tickets.”
Even Vega laughed.
Camille covered her mouth briefly.
The tension finally cracked.
“I can walk with you.”
“No.”
Camille stared.
“I know these houses.”
“You’re seven.”
“I was seven this morning too.”
Terrence coughed into one hand.
Camille pointed toward him.
“Do not encourage this.”
“I said nothing.”
Priya stepped forward.
“I’ll stay where I can see him.”
Isaiah thought.
“Okay.”
That was the compromise.
The officers prepared to leave.
Lorraine remained near her driveway.