“I know.”
She smiled bitterly.
“You'll be hearing from the association's attorneys.”
I nodded.
“That's fine. My attorney has already been asking for the documents.”
That seemed to make her angrier.
Morales asked Sandra to stop addressing me directly while the officers finished speaking with everyone.
Then she separated the parties.
Kessler and the other two men were interviewed individually.
The deputies obtained identification information.
They documented the truck.
The wheel clamp.
The towing equipment.
And the badges displayed on the men's uniforms.
One badge was made of inexpensive metal with a design resembling a generic law enforcement shield.
It carried the words Community Enforcement Officer around an imitation star.
The men claimed their company used the badges to establish authority during HOA assignments.
But they weren't public officers.
They had no general police powers.
And nothing about their uniforms entitled them to ignore a homeowner's objection to an unauthorized seizure.
The deputies also examined the utility truck's equipment and identifying information.
They didn't simply declare the entire matter a completed car theft on the spot.
There were questions about intent, authorization, and the legal basis the contractors claimed to possess.
But the facts were serious enough that the immediate removal was stopped, evidence was preserved, and the people involved faced further investigation.
Kessler became increasingly defensive.
He insisted he'd followed instructions.
That Stonebridge handled vehicle removals regularly.
And that Sandra represented the HOA.
But when Bishop asked whether he'd confirmed the authority to enter my private driveway and physically remove the Porsche, he had no clear answer.
He kept referring to the paper Sandra gave him.
Finally, Bishop asked something that made Kessler's expression change.
“Who signed your company's contract with the association?”
The guard hesitated.
“Management.”
“Which person?”
Kessler looked toward Sandra.
She had turned away.
He swallowed.
“Ms. Holt.”
Morales noted that answer.
Then turned toward Sandra.
“Ma'am, were you responsible for hiring these men?”
Sandra stiffened.
“The association uses approved vendors.”
“That wasn't the question.”
Her jaw tightened.
“I coordinated enforcement.”
“Did you specifically direct them to enter this driveway and remove this Porsche today?”
For a moment, Sandra seemed to be deciding how to answer.
Then she lifted her chin.
“Yes. Under association authority.”
Morales nodded.
“Thank you.”
I watched the exchange.
Sandra had spent the afternoon trying to make every other person responsible.