Now I wasn't so sure.
I opened Richard's website.
Then found an older press release.
It described a partnership between Richard's consulting company and a regional landscaping investment firm.
That firm had helped finance several residential landscape-service businesses.
One of them was CanyonMark.
I stared at the screen.
For several seconds, I didn't move.
Then I printed the press release.
Placed it beside the HOA documents.
And called my attorney.
His name was Adrian Price.
He was forty-five, a meticulous property and civil litigation attorney who had represented small businesses and homeowners for nearly twenty years.
I'd hired him after the second round of disputed fines.
He wasn't interested in dramatic threats.
He preferred documents.
And I liked that.
Adrian answered.
“Daniel?”
“Sorry to call so late.”
“Everything okay?”
I looked toward the damaged garden.
“Not really.”
I told him what happened.
The gate.
The hammer.
The detective.
The notice with the additional language.
Then I described the apparent connection between CanyonMark and Richard Voss.
Adrian became quiet.
“Send me the documents.”
I did.
Several minutes passed.
Then he spoke again.
“This warrants further examination.”
I leaned forward.
“Do you think she's receiving money from CanyonMark?”
He answered carefully.
“I don't know. A business connection doesn't automatically establish improper conduct. But if a board president is directing association decisions toward a company in which she or her immediate family has a financial interest, that relationship needs to be properly disclosed and handled.”
I nodded.
He continued.
“And if she's misrepresenting a voluntary program as mandatory, that's another issue.”
I looked toward the proposed fee.
“Eight thousand seven hundred fifty dollars.”
Adrian was silent for a moment.
“Is that the amount CanyonMark quoted you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have the technical scope?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Preserve it.”
I took a breath.
Then asked, “What about the fact that she entered my yard and smashed a sprinkler?”
“That's being addressed through the police investigation. We can also examine civil remedies and steps to prevent further unauthorized entry.”