"I don't care about your military excuses!" Clara screamed. "I run this association! You answer to our community standards!"
At that moment, the low whoop of a police siren chirped from the entrance of the street. Patrol Car 12 rolled up to the curb, its amber lights blinking as Officer Ramirez stepped out.
Chapter IV: The Turning Tide
Clara’s face lit up with vindictive triumph. She spun around and hurried toward the officer, her finger already pointing at the Rivera driveway.
"Officer! Thank goodness you're here! These squatters brought an unauthorized commercial military truck into our residential zone and refused my direct order to vacate!"
Officer Ramirez walked up the driveway, his eyes assessing the situation. He looked at the olive truck, then at Mark, and finally at Elena standing at attention on the porch.
Ramirez’s expression shifted instantly. He came to a clean stop, snapped his right hand to his brow, and delivered a crisp, formal salute.
"Welcome home, Captain Rivera," Officer Ramirez said with deep respect. "We were notified by the base liaison that you’d be arriving today."
Clara froze mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open. "Officer... what are you doing? Arrest them!"