Adrian saw the movement. He had spent too many years in patrol and command not to recognize an attempt to alter the balance of a conversation without speaking. He had no interest in turning a parking dispute into a test of strength. His gaze returned to Grant, and he gave the man a final opportunity to end the disagreement.
"I'm going to ask one more time," Adrian said. "Move the car, or I'll report the obstruction through the proper channels. That's your choice."
Grant lowered the key fob. Something in the last sentence had reached him as an insult, although there was nothing insulting about it. In his experience, people who recognized his standing did not explain his options to him, especially not in front of guests who might repeat the exchange. He took one measured step forward.
"You don't know who you're talking to," he said. "One call and you're finished."
Adrian met his gaze for several seconds. The threat was familiar in form even if the speaker was not: name-dropping, implied influence, the suggestion that a person with fewer connections would be unable to contest a version of events written by somebody powerful. He understood exactly how such a call might travel through an organization that had not yet learned to examine its own habits. He also understood that raising his voice would give Grant the next sentence of the story he intended to tell.
"You can make that call," Adrian said. "But when you do, make sure you describe exactly what happened here."
He turned and walked away. He did not accept the key, touch Grant, approach the sports car, or threaten anyone on the steps. A few seconds later, he crossed the street at the same pace he had used on the way over, entered his own property, and disappeared through his front door. The absence of a last word left Grant standing with the unused key fob and four guests who suddenly found their glasses more interesting than the conversation.
"Some people don't know how to be reasonable," Grant said, louder than necessary. One man gave a noncommittal answer, and another suggested they return inside before their dinner got cold. Serena looked after Adrian, then at the black car still obstructing his driveway, but said nothing about moving it. Grant remained on the porch until the kitchen light across the street came on.
Adrian set down his keys and took a moment to breathe. He was not frightened by Grant; what bothered him was the ease with which the exchange had changed from a request about parking to a statement about who was permitted to make requests. Grant had behaved as though Adrian's presence required explanation while the sports car's obstruction did not. That distinction was simple enough to describe and difficult enough to correct if everyone else involved accepted it without question.