The situation was rapidly becoming more frightening than anyone could have imagined.
Catherine noticed that neither officer had attempted to explain why they were there.
They had not asked who owned the property.
They had not asked whether anyone was injured.
They had simply arrived with their weapons drawn.
"Sergeant, can you lower your weapon and tell me what this is about?" Catherine asked.
Her voice was controlled.
She made no sudden movements.
Grady's expression hardened.
"YOU DON'T GIVE ME INSTRUCTIONS!"
Catherine stared at him.
"I am asking why armed officers have entered my property."
"WE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A POSSIBLE VIOLENT INCIDENT."
"That is impossible. This is a private birthday gathering."
"WE'LL DECIDE THAT."
Behind the patrol vehicle, a young blonde woman stepped into view.
She was wearing a pale beige dress, and her long hair fell over her shoulders.
Her name was Madison Whitmore.
She was Vanessa's daughter.
Madison had been standing inside her mother's house when the police vehicles arrived.
The moment she saw the officers entering Catherine's driveway, she grabbed her phone and hurried outside.
Now she was standing beside the nearest patrol car, holding her smartphone vertically.
The camera was pointed directly at Catherine.
Madison appeared almost excited.
She had the unmistakable expression of someone who believed she was about to capture an extraordinary event.
Catherine noticed her.
Then she noticed something else.
Vanessa was watching from the neighboring property.
She stood near the front entrance, partially hidden behind a decorative column.
Her arms were crossed.
She was smiling.
Catherine's stomach tightened.
The situation suddenly made more sense.
This was not simply an accidental police response to a misunderstanding.
Someone had deliberately created the circumstances that brought these officers to her home.
But there was no time to investigate that possibility.
Grady was still pointing his weapon at her.
"WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE?"
Catherine answered without hesitation.
"I am the homeowner."
"NAME?"
"Catherine Mitchell."
"AND WHAT IS GOING ON?"
"A birthday celebration for my mother."
Grady glanced toward the patio.
"HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE?"
"Approximately twenty."
"ARE YOU ARMED?"
"No."
"THEN KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM."
Catherine remained perfectly still.
"Sergeant, I would appreciate it if you explained the specific emergency that brought you here."
Grady moved closer.
"You need to stop talking and start following instructions."
Parker looked uncomfortable.
He had begun noticing details that did not match the description in the dispatch report.
There were no signs of a fight.
Nobody was injured.
There were children, elderly relatives, birthday decorations, and a large cake on the dining table.
The scene looked nothing like the dangerous confrontation he had been expecting.
He leaned slightly toward Grady.
"Sergeant, it doesn't look like there's any disturbance."
Grady shot him an angry glance.
"Stay focused, Parker."
"But the people—"
"I SAID STAY FOCUSED."
Parker immediately fell silent.
Catherine noticed the exchange.
So did several guests.
The officers appeared to be operating on completely different assumptions.
Parker was beginning to question the situation.
Grady seemed determined to control it regardless of what he saw.
Madison moved closer to the patrol car and raised her phone higher.
She wanted a better angle.
The camera captured Catherine standing in front of the patio, her hands raised, while the red and blue emergency lights reflected across her dark navy jacket.
Madison smiled.
"Everyone needs to see this," she whispered, apparently speaking to the recording.
Catherine heard her.
"Young lady, please stop recording and move away from the police vehicles."
Madison ignored her.
"Why? Are you afraid of being recorded?"
Catherine turned her eyes toward her.
"I am concerned about your safety. There are armed officers here."
Madison gave a short laugh.
"Maybe you should have thought about that before causing trouble."
Catherine immediately recognized the accusation.
She had never met Madison personally beyond a few brief encounters.
Yet the young woman was speaking as though she already knew Catherine was guilty.
"Causing trouble?" Catherine repeated.
Madison tilted her head.
"That's what my mother said."
The words were enough to confirm Catherine's suspicion.
Vanessa had been involved.
But before Catherine could ask another question, Grady stepped forward again.
"YOU! FACE THE OTHER DIRECTION!"
Catherine slowly turned her head toward him.
"Sergeant, I have complied with every instruction."
"TURN AROUND!"
"Can you tell me whether anyone has reported an actual injury?"
Grady's face turned red.
"YOU ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO QUESTION ME!"
Catherine felt the tension spreading through the gathering.
Her uncle was standing near the outdoor dining table with both hands raised.
Her cousin Daniel had positioned himself between Margaret and the officers.
Several guests were crying.
A little girl had buried her face against her father's chest.
Margaret looked as though she might collapse.
Catherine understood that every second of this confrontation was making the situation worse.
She needed to remain calm.
She needed to prevent anyone from making a sudden movement.