I understood Ruth better than she knew.
“I'm sorry,” I said.
She nodded.
Then smiled faintly.
“I hope you keep yours.”
I looked toward the parking lot.
“So do I.”
Over the next several days, Ruth and I spoke again.
She showed me the towing invoice.
The letters.
The notices.
And the receipt for the fees she'd paid.
The contractor's name was Stonebridge Compliance and Recovery.
I hadn't heard of it.
But something about the wording bothered me.
The invoice described a community-authorized vehicle remediation service.
That was a rather elaborate way to describe towing a car from a residential driveway.
I asked whether the company had shown her a court order or other legal authorization.
Ruth shook her head.
“No.”
“Did they show you a board resolution?”
“I don't know what that is.”
I explained.
She listened carefully.
Then said quietly, “They just told me the HOA sent them.”
I nodded.
I didn't want to jump to conclusions.
There might be relevant governing documents or procedures I hadn't seen.
But the account deserved examination.
And the fees seemed high enough that I'd want a clear explanation even if the tow itself had been authorized.
I contacted an attorney named Priya Shah.
Priya was forty-four, with dark hair, sharp eyes, and a professional manner that made it difficult for people to distract her with emotional arguments.
She specialized in civil disputes involving property, contracts, and community associations.
When I explained the fines, she asked for the governing documents.
I sent them.
Then I showed her Ruth's paperwork.
She read quietly.
For several minutes, I watched her expression change.
Finally, she looked up.
“Marcus, how many other vehicles have been removed by this contractor?”
I shook my head.
“I don't know.”
She nodded.
“Then that's one question we need answered.”
I leaned forward.
“What about my Porsche?”
Priya glanced toward the notices.
“Based on what you've shown me, several of these alleged violations appear unsupported or inadequately explained. But we need to verify the applicable rules and procedures before making definitive conclusions.”
I nodded.
She continued.
“An HOA doesn't acquire unlimited authority over private property merely by issuing a fine. Vehicle removal rights depend on the governing documents, applicable law, location, notice requirements, and other circumstances.”
I smiled faintly.
“That's what I thought.”
She looked toward me.