“I am speaking with you.”
“I'm the homeowner.”
Reed looked at him from head to toe.
“You?”
David blinked.
“Yes.”
She glanced toward the house.
“Do you have identification?”
“Certainly.”
He reached toward his back pocket.
“Don't make any sudden movements.”
David stopped.
“I'm just getting my wallet.”
“Then tell me before you do anything.”
A few guests had begun watching.
Sophia noticed the officers and walked closer.
“Dad?”
David turned.
“Everything's okay, sweetheart.”
She looked at Reed.
“Is something wrong?”
Reed didn't answer her.
Instead, she continued speaking to David.
“How many people are here?”
“About thirty.”
“And how many vehicles?”
“I haven't counted.”
“Then you should have.”
David exhaled slowly.
“Officer, if there's a parking issue, I can move any vehicle that's causing a problem.”
Reed stepped closer.
“That's not the only issue.”
“What else?”
“Your neighbors say you've been hosting gatherings like this for weeks.”
David frowned.
“This is my daughter's graduation party. We haven't had another gathering.”
“That's not what the complaint says.”
“Then perhaps we should speak to the person who made it.”
Reed gave a dismissive laugh.
“You don't get to decide how we conduct an investigation.”
David looked at Officer Miller.
The younger officer seemed uncomfortable.
“Sir, do you mind showing us your identification?”
“Not at all.”
David slowly removed his wallet and handed over his driver's license.
Miller examined it.
“Thank you, sir.”
Reed leaned over his shoulder.
Then she looked at David.
“Why does your name appear on the property records as David Alexander Carter?”
“Because that's my full legal name.”
“Interesting.”
David raised an eyebrow.
“Is there a problem with that?”
Reed ignored the question.
She looked toward the grill.
“Do you have a permit for this?”
David stared at her.
“A permit?”
“For operating a commercial cooking appliance outdoors.”
David glanced at the barbecue.
“It's a family grill.”
Reed stepped closer.
“I'm not interested in what you call it.”
Sophia moved beside her father.
“Officer, this is my graduation party. We're not doing anything wrong.”
Reed turned toward her.
“Stay out of this.”
Sophia looked startled.
“I'm just trying to explain—”
“I said stay out of it.”
David immediately stepped between them.
“Please don't speak to my daughter that way.”
Reed looked at him.
“Then teach her not to interfere with police business.”
David's expression changed.
His voice remained quiet.
“She asked whether everything was okay. She's eighteen years old, and this is her graduation party.”
“Then she should be celebrating instead of questioning an officer.”
David nodded slowly.
“Understood.”
He turned toward Sophia.
“Sweetheart, go sit with your friends.”
“But Dad—”
“It's okay. I promise.”
Sophia hesitated.
Then she walked a few steps away, though she continued watching.
Reed looked back at David.
“Now, I need you to explain why several neighbors have complained about this property.”
David frowned.
“I'd like to see the actual complaint.”
“You're not entitled to demand that.”
“I'm not demanding anything. I'm asking what we're dealing with.”
Reed took a step closer.