“But right now, the issue is what happened here today.”
I looked toward Caroline.
Then answered.
“She entered through my gate without permission, refused repeated requests to leave, frightened my daughter, and kicked her towel into the pool.”
Caroline gave a sharp laugh.
“That is ridiculous.”
Officer Ramirez looked toward her.
“Did you enter through the gate?”
“Yes, because I needed to inspect an association facility.”
I pointed toward the gate.
“You pressed the intercom. Nobody answered. Then you opened it and walked in.”
Caroline shrugged.
“The latch wasn't secured.”
Officer Whitfield's expression changed.
“That doesn't necessarily give you permission to enter.”
Caroline became defensive.
“I am the president of the HOA.”
Officer Ramirez looked directly at her.
“That title doesn't automatically authorize entry onto property outside your association's control.”
For a moment, Caroline seemed unable to speak.
Then I looked toward the patio roof.
“Officer, there's something else.”
Ramirez turned.
“What?”
I pointed toward the security camera.
“The entire encounter was recorded.”
Caroline's expression changed immediately.
For the first time that afternoon, the confidence disappeared from her face.
She looked toward the small camera mounted beneath the roof.
Then toward the gate camera above the side path.
Then back at me.
“You were recording me?”
I nodded.
“The property security system records activity around the gate and pool area.”
Her voice rose.
“Without my consent?”
I looked at her.
“You entered my backyard without asking.”
Officer Ramirez stepped between us.
“Everyone, please remain calm.”
Caroline looked toward the camera again.
Then she did something I would remember throughout the investigation.
She reached for her phone.
Not to call the police.
They were already there.
She opened a message.
Typed rapidly.
And glanced toward the glossy map in her folder.
Officer Whitfield noticed.
“Ma'am, we're still speaking with you.”
Caroline looked up.
For a moment, she seemed frightened.
Then she forced a smile.
“Of course, Officer.”
But I could see the shift.
She wasn't thinking about getting us removed anymore.
She was thinking about the recorded footage.
And about the map she had brought into my backyard.
Because the dotted line beside my pool revealed something she hadn't intended me to discover.