“Were you on their property?”
Alan hesitated.
“I was near the walkway.”
“Had they invited you?”
“No.”
The developer's voice became colder.
“So you entered the property after the owner told you she didn't want to sell, argued with her son, and called police when he told you to leave?”
Alan became defensive.
“That's not how it happened.”
“Then tell me how it happened.”
For several seconds, Alan remained silent.
Then he said.
“Look, the Price house is blocking the road. Everybody knows it.”
Victor took a breath.
“That's a development problem, Alan. It doesn't give you the right to create a police problem.”
Alan frowned.
“You're the one who told me to increase pressure.”
Victor became quiet.
Then asked.
“What exactly do you mean by pressure?”
Alan laughed bitterly.
“Come on. The letters. The neighborhood standards committee. The inspections.”
Victor's expression changed.
He looked toward the hotel room door.
Then lowered his voice.
“We need to have this conversation with counsel.”
Alan stared.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely frightened.
“Victor—”
“Don't call the homeowner again.”
The regional director's voice was sharp.
“Don't contact the officer. Don't alter any records. And don't discuss the incident with witnesses.”
Alan opened his mouth.
Victor continued.
“Our lawyers will arrange to review what happened.”
Then he ended the call.
Alan stood in his living room.
For several seconds, he stared at the phone.
He had expected Sterling Crest to protect him.
Instead, the company seemed to be preparing to distance itself from his actions.
He looked toward the Price property through his front window.
The porch light was on.
He could see movement inside.
For a moment, he felt a surge of resentment.
He had spent months trying to make the neighborhood more valuable.
Trying to persuade stubborn homeowners to accept what he considered generous offers.
And now one man's new title threatened to destroy all of it.
Alan poured himself a drink.
Then opened his laptop.
A spreadsheet appeared.
It contained property addresses.
Offer amounts.
Acquisition status.
And a column labeled OWNER RESISTANCE LEVEL.
He scrolled toward Evelyn Price's address.
The cell was marked in red.