"We don't know."
Marcus leaned forward.
"You need to find out."
"We're trying."
Marcus looked at the folder.
"Gregory, this isn't just an HOA issue anymore."
"I know."
They both understood.
That afternoon, Marcus met with his attorney.
The attorney reviewed the records.
Then he said something Marcus hadn't expected.
"You may need federal counsel."
Marcus frowned.
"Why?"
"Because the old development company wasn't the only entity involved."
He slid a document across the desk.
A corporate filing.
A new company had been formed.
Same investors.
Different name.
Same development concept.
New access proposal.
Marcus stared at the page.
"They're trying again."
"Yes."
"Through the HOA?"
"Not directly."
"Then how?"
"Pressure."
Marcus shook his head.
"I thought this was finished."
"So did I."
The attorney pointed to a highlighted paragraph.
"They don't need to buy your entire property."
"What do they need?"
"An easement."
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"Again."
"Again."
Marcus stood.
"Then they picked the wrong house."
His attorney looked at him.
"That's what I told them."
The next morning, Marcus received an envelope.
No return address.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
A proposed access agreement.
The amount offered was substantial.
More than the property was worth.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
You can make this easy.
Marcus stared at it.
Then he photographed everything.
He didn't sign.
He didn't call.
He put it in the evidence folder.
Three days later, a man came to the front door.
He was in his early fifties, wearing a charcoal suit.
Marcus opened the door but didn't step outside.
"Can I help you?"
"My name is Daniel Mercer."
"I wasn't expecting you."
"I represent an investment group."
Marcus said nothing.
Daniel smiled.
"We'd like to discuss the access agreement."
"You can discuss it with my attorney."
"I was hoping we could keep this informal."
"We can't."
Daniel's smile faded.
"Mr. Reed, you're sitting on an extremely valuable piece of property."
"It's not for sale."
"I'm not asking you to sell."
"You're asking for an easement."
"Correct."
"No."
Daniel sighed.
"You're making this more difficult than it needs to be."
Marcus stared at him.
"You came to my house."
"Yes."
"Without an appointment."
"I apologize."
"You want rights to my property."
"We're offering substantial compensation."
"And you think I should say yes because the number is large."
Daniel shrugged.