He continued.
“I’m asking the board to suspend all discretionary enforcement by the President until an independent review is completed.”
The room erupted in applause.
The President slammed the gavel repeatedly.
“No.”
The microphone carried the word across the room.
Everyone quieted.
The Father turned.
The President realized she had answered too quickly.
She corrected herself.
“That request is procedurally improper.”
The Treasurer spoke.
“Actually…”
The President turned toward him.
He hesitated.
Then continued.
“A board member can move for temporary suspension of individual enforcement authority.”
The room went silent.
The President stared at him.
“You intend to do that?”
The Treasurer looked uncomfortable.
“Yes.”
She leaned back.
The Treasurer made the motion.
Another board member seconded.
Vote.
Four in favor.
Two opposed.
The President did not vote.
Her enforcement authority was suspended.
Residents applauded.
The Little Girl jumped from her chair.
“My pool won!”
The room exploded in laughter.
Even the Treasurer smiled.
The HOA President did not.
She packed her tablet.
Then walked out before the meeting ended.
The Father watched.
That should have been enough.
It wasn't.
Two days later, the Treasurer called him.
“Can we talk?”
They met at a coffee shop outside Hawthorne Ridge.
The Treasurer arrived carrying a thick folder.
He looked exhausted.
“I started reviewing enforcement records.”
“And?”
“You were right about selective application.”
The Father leaned forward.
“How bad?”
“Worse than eleven cases.”
The Treasurer opened the folder.
Forty-seven fines.
Some valid.
Some questionable.
Some clearly issued under outdated rules.
“Why?”
the Father asked.
“I don't know.”
“But there’s something else.”
Of course.
The Treasurer showed him invoices.
A consulting company.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES LLC.
Payments from the HOA.
$18,500.
$22,000.
$17,750.
“What did they do?”
The Father asked.
The Treasurer shook his head.
“No board-approved contract.”
“Who authorized payment?”
The President.
“Services?”
“Resident compliance analysis.”
The Father stared.
“What is resident compliance analysis?”
“Exactly.”
The Treasurer opened another page.
Attached spreadsheet.
Addresses.
Risk rankings.
The Father saw his.
RESISTANT / WESTERN ACCESS OPPOSITION / HIGH INFLUENCE
His stomach tightened.
Other targeted residents appeared.
Same people.
The Father looked up.
“She paid a consultant to profile homeowners?”
“Looks that way.”