“On private property.”
“My private property.”
Victoria’s eyes moved toward the broken gate.
Then back.
“I entered under HOA authority.”
Marcus looked at the cutters lying near the fence.
“You cut my lock.”
“The gate was obstructing an inspection.”
“What inspection?”
“Pool compliance.”
Marcus looked toward the water.
“Does pool compliance usually involve broken glass?”
Victoria lifted her chin.
“That material was already here.”
Marcus lowered the phone slightly.
“Interesting.”
“You were collecting it.”
“For evidence.”
“Exactly.”
He looked at the bag.
“So you gathered evidence into a contractor sack, cut my lock, carried it onto my property at six in the morning, and poured it into my pool?”
Victoria’s mouth tightened.
“You are twisting this.”
Marcus raised the phone again.
“Keep talking.”
She stepped toward him.
“Turn that off.”
“No.”
“You do not have permission.”
“No.”
“Marcus.”
He smiled faintly.
“That is the first time you've used my first name.”
“Turn it off.”
“You've been doing this all week?”
She froze.
Marcus waited.
There.
The smallest pause.
Sometimes silence answered better than words.
Victoria recovered.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
Marcus looked toward the pool.
“Monday.”
“Tuesday.”
“Wednesday.”
“Today.”
Her expression changed.
“You've been watching?”
“I’ve been documenting.”
She stepped closer.
“Give me the phone.”
Marcus took one step backward.
“No.”
“Hand it over.”
“No.”
“Do you understand what association enforcement authority allows me to do?”
“Yes.”
Her face brightened slightly.
Marcus continued.
“It allows you to send notices.”
“Schedule lawful inspections.”
“Fine within governing documents.”
“Bring civil claims.”
“It does not allow burglary, lock destruction, trespass, or putting glass in a swimming pool.”
Victoria laughed sharply.
“Burglary?”
“I didn't enter your house.”
“Not required in every jurisdiction.”
“You think you’re a lawyer now?”
“No.”
“Accountant.”
She scoffed.
“Exactly.”
Marcus smiled.
“That usually means I know when paperwork stops matching reality.”
That struck harder than he intended.
Victoria’s eyes changed.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Marcus saw it.
She knew what he meant.
Before either spoke again, a piercing alarm erupted from the side of the house.
Victoria jumped.
Marcus did not.
A red indicator began flashing beneath a discreet exterior sensor.
The sound carried across the backyard.
Victoria looked around.