For a moment, I felt an unexpected wave of relief.
Not because the problem was over.
Because the facts were beginning to separate themselves from Sandra's confidence.
The following Monday, the HOA board held an emergency meeting.
Not a public meeting.
An executive session involving counsel and the board members authorized to participate.
The association's independent attorney, Margaret Ellis, reviewed the governing documents and the authorization presented at my driveway.
Walter attended by video.
He looked exhausted.
His face was pale.
But when Margaret displayed the document bearing his signature, he sat forward.
“I didn't sign that.”
The room became quiet.
Sandra was seated beside the conference table.
She folded her arms.
“Walter, we discussed enforcement before your surgery.”
He shook his head.
“We discussed unresolved compliance complaints.”
She leaned forward.
“And you delegated authority.”
“Not to tow a car from somebody's driveway.”
Sandra's expression tightened.
Margaret looked toward her.
“Ms. Holt, can you identify the board action authorizing this particular removal?”
Sandra opened her folder.
“There was a compliance committee decision.”
The attorney nodded.
“Please provide the minutes.”
Sandra hesitated.
“The committee doesn't always prepare formal minutes for routine enforcement.”
Margaret looked toward Walter.
Then toward the board secretary, Harold Fenwick.
Harold was sixty-four, a retired insurance administrator known for keeping detailed records of meetings.
He looked troubled.
“I don't recall a motion authorizing the removal of Mr. Vale's Porsche.”
Sandra stared.
“Harold, you weren't present for every compliance discussion.”
He nodded.
“That's true.”
Then he continued.
“But I'm responsible for maintaining the association's formal board records. I have no record of a board-approved impound.”
For several seconds, Sandra said nothing.
Then she turned toward Margaret.
“The vice president has authority to manage compliance when the president is unavailable.”
The attorney remained calm.
“Delegated administrative authority doesn't necessarily include creating new enforcement powers or authorizing conduct unsupported by the governing documents and law.”
Sandra's face reddened.
“This board is being manipulated by an aggressive homeowner who flashed a federal badge at our contractors.”
Margaret looked toward her.
“That conduct can be evaluated separately. Right now, I'm asking about the authority under which the contractors entered his driveway.”
Sandra looked away.
For the first time, the board members began seeing what I'd been dealing with.
Not the polished vice president who organized landscaping projects and sent cheerful newsletters.