“Your residence?”
The homeowner pointed behind him.
“Yes.”
The HOA president interrupted.
“That doesn't matter. The association has already cited him.”
The officer held up one hand.
“I’ll talk to everybody.”
She folded her arms.
The officer looked at the homeowner.
“Can I get your identification?”
“For what purpose?”
The officer's face tightened slightly.
“To identify everybody involved.”
The homeowner nodded.
“Fine.”
The HOA president gave a little laugh.
“There it is.”
The officer turned.
“What?”
“Everything with him becomes an argument.”
The homeowner looked at her.
“I said fine.”
The officer addressed him again.
“Sir, step away from the vehicle while we're figuring this out.”
The homeowner took two slow steps away.
No complaint.
No sudden movement.
The officer seemed slightly surprised.
“Thank you.”
He looked toward the tow operator.
“Has the vehicle been hooked?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
The operator pointed toward the driveway.
“I was told this was HOA property. He says it isn't.”
The officer looked at the woman.
“Do you have paperwork authorizing the tow?”
She held up the folder.
“Of course.”
The homeowner said nothing.
The officer began reviewing the top page.
The HOA president spoke rapidly.
“He has been warned repeatedly. This neighborhood has standards. You can't simply park whatever industrial equipment you want in front of a million-dollar home.”
The homeowner took out his wallet.
The officer looked up.
“Slowly.”
He stopped immediately.
“My identification is in this wallet.”
“Okay. Remove it.”
The homeowner did.
It was not an ordinary wallet.
Dark leather.
Slightly larger.
He opened it.
On one side was a photograph and federal identification.
On the other sat an official credential above an embossed seal.
The officer looked at it.
Then looked again.
His posture changed.
The HOA president noticed.
“What?”
The officer did not answer her.
He looked directly at the homeowner.
“Sir, are you currently serving as installation commander?”
“Yes.”
The HOA president frowned.
“Commander of what?”
Nobody answered her.
The officer inspected the credential without touching it.
Then looked toward the black truck.
“Is that vehicle connected to the installation?”
“Yes.”
The HOA president laughed.