Standing beside it.
Her wrists cuffed behind her back.
Marcus stopped the sedan.
He stepped out.
For a moment, he couldn’t understand what he was seeing.
Then he began walking toward the driveway.
“Officer.”
Kyle turned.
Marcus’s voice remained controlled.
“Take your hands off my wife.”
Courtney looked toward him.
Her expression changed.
The tall Black man approaching them wore an Army dress uniform.
Four stars decorated each shoulder.
His posture was calm but unmistakably commanding.
Kyle looked confused.
“Sir, stay back.”
Marcus stopped several feet away.
“I’m General Marcus Caldwell. That woman is my wife.”
Renee turned toward him.
“Marcus.”
He looked at her.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Are the cuffs too tight?”
“A little.”
Marcus looked toward Kyle.
“Sergeant, explain why my wife is in handcuffs.”
Kyle swallowed.
“We have a trespassing complaint.”
Marcus looked toward the house.
Then back at the officer.
“This is our property.”
Courtney stepped forward.
“That’s what she keeps claiming.”
Marcus turned toward her.
“And you are?”
“Courtney Brandt. HOA president.”
Marcus looked at the house next door.
Then toward Kyle’s badge.
“Brandt?”
Kyle stiffened.
“Yes, sir.”
Marcus looked between them.
“Are you related?”
Courtney hesitated.
“He’s my husband.”
For the first time, Marcus’s expression hardened.
“So the responding officer is married to the person making the accusation.”
Neither answered.
