"I applied a temporary visibility marking after repeated failure to comply."
Adrian stared at her.
The first officer frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means she poured paint on my windshield," Adrian said.
Brenda turned toward him.
"I am speaking."
The officer held up a hand.
"Everybody gets a chance."
He looked at Adrian.
"Do you have video?"
Adrian raised his phone.
"From the moment I came outside."
"Camera on the house?"
"Doorbell, garage, side yard."
The officer nodded.
"Save everything."
Brenda scoffed.
"You people are treating this like a major crime."
The younger officer walked closer to the SUV.
She crouched near the paint can without touching it.
"Is that exterior latex?"
Brenda said nothing.
The officer looked at Adrian.
"Was your car like this before she arrived?"
"No."
"Any previous damage?"
"No."
Brenda interrupted.
"He has repeatedly ignored association notices regarding this vehicle."
The first officer turned.
"Ma'am, violations do not authorize property damage."
Brenda stiffened.
"You don't understand HOA law."
The officer's eyebrows lifted.
"I understand enough."
She opened the folder.
"We have broad enforcement rights."
"Do those rights include damaging vehicles?"
"This was not damage."
Adrian pointed at the windshield.
"It's paint."
"Water-based paint."
The younger officer stood.
"That doesn't make it not property damage."
Brenda's mouth tightened.
Adrian expected another argument.
Instead, Brenda looked down the street.
Again.
Toward the corner where the gray sedan had disappeared.
Then she repeated the gesture.
Two fingers against her chest.
A brief tap.
Then a point toward the entrance of the neighborhood.
The younger officer froze.
It happened instantly.
Her eyes moved from Brenda's hand to the street.
Then back to Brenda.
"Do that again."
Brenda looked confused.
"Do what?"
"The hand movement."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The younger officer stepped closer.
"Two fingers to your chest. Then point."
Brenda laughed.
"I adjusted my jacket."
Adrian lowered his phone slightly.
The officer's face had changed.
She was no longer merely investigating a vandalism complaint.
She was remembering something.
Her partner noticed.
"What?"
The younger officer looked at him.
"I've seen that."
"Where?"
She stared at Brenda.
"Last month."
Brenda's face went still.
The officer continued.
"Maple Court."
Adrian knew Maple Court.
It was the next section of Willow Ridge.
The officer looked at her partner.
"The mailbox case."
Brenda smiled awkwardly.
"I have no idea what you're referring to."
The officer did not answer her.
She took several steps toward the cruiser and picked up her radio.
Adrian watched Brenda.
A minute earlier she had been irritated.
Now she looked alert.
Not angry.
Not offended.
Alert.
Like someone calculating distance.
The first officer noticed too.
"Ma'am, stay here."