“Because Avery was in my daughter’s bed,” I corrected.

Avery hadn’t spoken a word. She stood near the stairs, barefoot, her face blotchy and furious — the specific fury of a teenager weaponized by adults and left to absorb the collateral damage.

Officer Ruiz turned to Richard. “Do you have another residence?”

“This is absurd,” Richard snapped, adjusting his collar. “We live here. We’re family.”

“You are guests whose invitation expired at 12:43 a.m.,” I said.

Ruiz sighed and put his pen away. “Ma’am, because they’ve resided here over two months, establishing tenancy, forcing them out tonight requires a formal eviction notice.