I glanced toward the patio doors.
“Scared.”
Her expression softened.
“I'm sorry she experienced that.”
I nodded.
“Thank you.”
Then the officer said something I appreciated more than she probably realized.
“It's her home. She shouldn't have been made to feel unsafe in it.”
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I nodded again.
After the officers left, Naomi joined me beside the pool.
The afternoon sunlight was beginning to soften.
Our lunch plates had been cleared.
The umbrella moved gently in the breeze.
Everything looked almost exactly as it had before Caroline arrived.
But the atmosphere was different.
Naomi folded her arms.
“What are you thinking?”
I looked toward the gate.
“That she didn't come here because she thought we were trespassers.”
My sister nodded.
“I agree.”
“She brought a map with our backyard marked for a walkway.”
Naomi looked toward the side wall.
“The walkway paperwork.”
“Exactly.”
She took a breath.
“You think she's trying to force you to sign something?”
“I think she wants me to believe the HOA already controls the land.”
Naomi stared toward the pool.
Then said quietly, “She's willing to frighten a little girl to get it.”
I didn't answer.
My sister looked toward me.
“Malcolm, please don't let this turn into a fight where you forget what Ava needs.”
I turned.
She continued.
“I know you. Once you decide somebody's trying to take advantage of you, you'll spend every waking hour proving them wrong.”
I smiled faintly.
“That's a little unfair.”
She raised one eyebrow.
I sighed.
“Fine. It's accurate.”
Naomi stepped closer.
“Ava needs to know this house is still safe.”
My expression softened.
“I know.”
She touched my arm.
“And you need to know you don't have to handle all of it by yourself.”
For several seconds, I remained quiet.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
That night, after Ava went to bed, I called Elena Price.
She listened to my account without interrupting.
Then I sent her copies of the HOA map, the earlier notices, the property documents, and the recordings.
She studied the map for several minutes.
Then called back.
“Malcolm, I want to know where Caroline got this drawing.”