Langley remained for coffee.
Neither man heard Malik outside.
The front rooms were heavily insulated.
Marcus’s phone sat face down on the kitchen counter.
Outside, Price stepped from the patrol car.
“Hey!”
Malik turned.
“Yes?”
“Stay where you are.”
Malik looked confused.
“I live here.”
Price and Shaw exchanged a glance.
Price said:
“Come down the driveway.”
“Why?”
“Come here.”
Malik hesitated.
That hesitation became the first thing Price interpreted incorrectly.
“Now.”
Malik walked toward them.
Karen approached from the sidewalk.
Price looked at her.
“You the caller?”
“Yes.”
She pointed immediately.
“That’s him.”
Malik stared.
“Mrs. Whitmore?”
Karen’s expression barely changed.
“You know her?” Shaw asked.
“She runs the HOA.”
Karen said:
“He knows who I am because I’ve caught him wandering around before.”
Malik laughed from disbelief.
“I live across the street from you!”
“Let me see identification,” Price said.
“My school ID is in my backpack.”
“Get it.”
Malik reached toward one strap.
Price’s hand moved immediately toward his belt.
“Slow.”
Malik froze.
“You just told me to get it.”
“Slowly.”
Malik took out the school identification.
Price read it.
MALIK CARTER
Westbridge High School.
No address.
Price looked toward the house.
“You have something showing you live here?”
“My driver's permit might.”
“Get it.”
“In the bag.”
Malik reached again.
Karen interrupted.
“Officer, I've already told you he doesn't live here.”
Malik turned toward her.
“What is wrong with you?”
Price stepped between them.
“Don't talk to her.”
“She’s lying!”
“Lower your voice.”
“She literally knows my parents!”
Karen shook her head.
“I know the homeowners. That doesn't mean every teenager hanging around is theirs.”
Malik stared at her.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
His voice rose.
“Marcus and Tasha Carter are my parents!”
Price stepped closer.
“Calm down.”
“I am calm!”
“You're yelling.”
“Because you're believing her instead of me!”
Price reached for Malik’s arm.
Malik instinctively stepped backward.
That became the second mistake.
Price grabbed him.
“Don't pull away.”
“I didn't do anything!”
“Turn around.”
“What?”
“Hands behind your back.”
And within seconds, Malik was against the cruiser.
Chief Langley stared at his officers.
Officer Price released Malik, but the teenager did not move immediately.
His chest rose and fell quickly.
Marcus crossed the driveway.
“Son.”
Malik turned.
The fear that he had managed to hold back in front of the officers finally surfaced.
“Dad, I kept telling them.”