"Did you personally witness anyone being injured?"
Vanessa became visibly irritated.
"Why are you interrogating me?"
"I am asking you to clarify the information that brought armed officers to my mother's birthday party."
Vanessa looked toward Grady.
"Are you going to let her talk to me like that?"
Grady turned his head.
"MA'AM, PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE."
Vanessa immediately looked offended.
"I am standing on my own property!"
"Then remain there."
The response appeared to surprise her.
For the first time that afternoon, Vanessa seemed to realize that the officers were not automatically going to support her.
She turned toward Madison.
"Stop recording and come here."
Madison looked uncertain.
"But Mom—"
"NOW."
Madison reluctantly lowered her phone.
Catherine noticed that the young woman had stopped smiling entirely.
She also noticed something else.
Madison's camera appeared to have been recording continuously since the moment the police vehicles arrived.
If the footage had not been edited, it could establish the exact sequence of events.
That might become important.
Very important.
Parker approached Grady.
"Sergeant, dispatch has another message."
Grady turned.
"What now?"
"The watch commander wants an update."
Grady took the radio.
"This is Sergeant Grady. We are on scene investigating a reported disturbance. Situation is under control."
Catherine looked at him.
The statement was technically incomplete.
The situation had never been under control in the way he was suggesting.
Several people had been frightened by officers arriving with weapons drawn.
An elderly woman had been forced to remain standing.
And the original allegations had not been established.
But Catherine did not interrupt.
She wanted to hear what happened next.
The radio crackled.
The watch commander requested clarification regarding the alleged weapon.
Grady looked toward the patio.
"We haven't located anything yet."
"Any injuries?"
"Negative."
"Any active threats?"
Grady paused.
"Negative at this time."
The watch commander then asked whether the homeowner's identity had been verified.
Grady glanced at Catherine.
"Yes. Credentials have been checked."
There was a short silence.
Then the commander requested that the officers explain the basis for entering the property.
Grady looked irritated.
"We responded to an emergency call."
The commander asked whether the officers had observed circumstances indicating an immediate threat.
Grady did not answer immediately.
Parker looked down.
Catherine remained still.
Finally, Grady said, "We are still assessing the situation."
The commander instructed him to provide a full update once the initial investigation was complete.
The transmission ended.
For the first time since arriving, Grady appeared to understand that his actions might receive attention beyond the immediate scene.
He turned toward Parker.
"GET THE ORIGINAL CALL INFORMATION."
Parker nodded.
"Yes, Sergeant."
He moved toward the patrol vehicle.
Catherine watched him.
Then she noticed Vanessa whispering something to Madison.
The young woman looked down at her phone.
Her mother leaned closer.
They appeared to be discussing the recording.
Catherine could not hear the words.
But she saw Madison begin scrolling through the footage.
A few seconds later, Vanessa reached for her daughter's phone.
Madison pulled it away.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"Give it to me."
"Why?"
"Just give it to me."
Catherine noticed the exchange.
So did Parker.
He stopped beside the patrol vehicle and looked toward them.
"Is there a problem?"
Vanessa immediately stepped back.
"No. We're fine."
Madison held her phone against her chest.
Catherine spoke calmly.
"Officer, I would appreciate it if any recordings relevant to the incident were preserved in their original form."
Parker nodded.
"Understood."
Vanessa suddenly became defensive.
"Nobody is deleting anything!"
Catherine looked at her.
"Then there should be no problem preserving it."
Vanessa's face tightened.
She turned toward Madison.
"Come inside."
Madison looked at the officers.
Then at her mother.
"I want to know what's happening first."
Vanessa grabbed her daughter's arm.
"Madison, we're leaving."
The young woman resisted slightly.
"Mom, stop."
Catherine observed the interaction without interfering.
She did not want to create another confrontation.
But she had begun to suspect that the recording might reveal more than a simple complaint.
If Madison had recorded the arrival of the officers, she might also have captured Vanessa's behavior before the police arrived.
Perhaps she had recorded the original complaint.
Perhaps she had documented something that contradicted the story being presented.
Parker returned from the patrol vehicle holding his device.
"Sergeant, I have the dispatch summary."
Grady turned.
"Read it."
Parker looked at the screen.
"The caller reported a possible physical altercation involving several individuals at the residence. She also reported that a female homeowner had made threats and that there might be a firearm on the property."
Catherine listened carefully.
"Was the caller identified?"
Parker hesitated.
"The report lists the caller's name."
"Vanessa Whitmore?"
Parker looked at the screen again.
"Yes, ma'am."
Catherine slowly nodded.
"Thank you."
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
"I never said anyone was fighting!"
Parker looked toward her.
"Ma'am, that's what the dispatch summary indicates."
"Well, that's not what I said!"
Catherine looked at Vanessa.
"Then perhaps you should clarify your statement."
Vanessa became increasingly agitated.