"The first was a noise complaint. The second involved a claim that someone had threatened the caller."
Catherine heard the exchange.
She turned toward Parker.
"Do you know whether either report resulted in an investigation?"
Parker looked at Collins.
The lieutenant nodded.
"She can ask. Just answer what you know."
Parker continued.
"The first complaint was closed without enforcement action. The second was reviewed, but there was insufficient information to establish that a threat had occurred."
Catherine slowly nodded.
That explained why Vanessa had been so determined to make another complaint.
She had already tried several times.
And now she had escalated the allegations.
But Collins had another question.
"Did the previous complaints originate from the same telephone number?"
Parker checked.
"Yes."
"Any notes about the caller's relationship with the homeowner?"
"The previous report mentions a neighborhood dispute."
Collins wrote something down.
"Get the original records. I want the complete history."
Parker nodded.
Grady approached them.
"Lieutenant, are we going to finish this or not?"
Collins looked at him.
"We will finish it when the documentation is complete."
"The situation is under control."
"Then there should be no problem completing the report."
Grady looked frustrated.
He glanced toward Catherine.
"You've made your point."
Catherine stood beside her mother.
"No, Sergeant. The facts will make the point."
Grady's face tightened.
Collins stepped between them.
"That's enough. Sergeant, return to your vehicle and wait for further instructions."
Grady hesitated.
Then he turned away.
Parker watched him walk toward the patrol car.
The younger officer appeared to be thinking about something.
After a few seconds, he approached Catherine.
"Ma'am, can I speak with you briefly?"
Catherine nodded.
"Of course."
Parker looked uncomfortable.
"I want to apologize for how the situation unfolded."
Catherine studied him.
"You were following instructions."
"That doesn't mean everything I did was right."
He looked down.
"When we arrived, I saw the birthday decorations. I saw the children. I saw the elderly guests. I knew it didn't look like the emergency we had been told about."
"Why didn't you say something?"
Parker hesitated.
"I did. But I should have done more."
Catherine did not immediately respond.
The young officer continued.
"I've only been with the department for three years. Sergeant Grady has been here much longer. I didn't want to challenge him in front of everyone."
Catherine looked toward the patrol vehicle.
"Officer Parker, experience should help someone make better decisions. It should not make them immune to being questioned."
"I know."
"Then remember this situation."
Parker nodded.
"I will."
Catherine's voice softened slightly.
"You have an opportunity to learn from what happened today. Take it."
He thanked her and returned to Collins.
Madison was still standing near the patrol vehicle.
She had not moved much since showing the recording.
Her eyes were fixed on the ground.
Catherine noticed that she was crying.
For a moment, she considered leaving the young woman alone.
But then Madison approached her.
"Ms. Mitchell?"
Catherine turned.
"Yes?"
"Can I talk to you?"
Catherine looked toward Collins.
The lieutenant was speaking with another officer.
"Go ahead."
Madison took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry."
Catherine said nothing.
Madison continued.
"I didn't think the police would actually come with guns. My mom said they would just tell you to stop having parties."
Catherine looked at her.
"Did you know she was planning to make the report?"
Madison shook her head.
"I knew she wanted the police to come. I didn't know she was going to tell them there was a weapon."
"Why did you record it?"
"She told me to."
Madison looked down.
"She said it would be funny to see your reaction when the police arrived."
Catherine's expression became serious.
"Funny?"
Madison nodded, ashamed.
"She said you always acted like you owned the neighborhood. She wanted you to be embarrassed."
Catherine slowly exhaled.
"Madison, people can dislike each other. They can disagree. But involving emergency services in a situation you know is false is not a joke."
"I know."
"Someone could have been hurt."
Madison began crying again.
"I know."
Catherine looked at the young woman for several seconds.
Then she spoke quietly.
"You did one important thing today."
Madison looked up.
"What?"
"You told the truth when it became difficult."
Madison wiped her eyes.
"But I helped her record everything."
"You cannot change what happened earlier. You can decide what you do now."
Madison nodded.
"Thank you."
Catherine did not offer her immediate forgiveness.
She did not think it would be honest to pretend that everything was fine.
But she understood that the young woman was beginning to recognize the consequences of her actions.
And that was a start.
Several minutes later, Collins approached Catherine with an update.
"We have confirmed that the original call recording is available. Our communications supervisor is reviewing it."
"Thank you."
"We also have the previous complaint records. There are some inconsistencies that need further examination."
Catherine nodded.
"Will the department conduct an internal review?"