"I don't know yet."
"Where are you?"
"At the HOA office."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
When Marcus arrived, Linda was waiting beside the conference room.
She looked nervous.
That alone was enough to concern him.
"What happened?"
She handed him a folder.
"We received a certified letter."
Marcus opened it.
The letter was from a law firm.
He read the first paragraph.
Then the second.
His expression changed.
"What is this?"
Linda folded her arms.
"A demand for access."
"To what?"
"Several private properties."
Marcus looked up.
"Again?"
"Not exactly."
She pointed to the final page.
"The sender claims the previous HOA board granted them long-term rights to inspect private amenities."
Marcus stared at the document.
"Who?"
"A company called Horizon Community Solutions."
He recognized the name.
"Wasn't that connected to the security contractor?"
"Yes."
Marcus sat down.
"Then this isn't over."
Linda nodded.
"I don't think so."
The demand letter claimed that the HOA had entered into an agreement months earlier authorizing Horizon representatives to inspect private pools, patios, outdoor kitchens, guesthouses, and other residential amenities.
It also claimed that homeowners were obligated to provide reasonable access.
Marcus read the sentence again.
"Do they have a signed agreement?"
Linda shook her head.
"They say they do."
"Where is it?"
"They attached a copy."
Marcus turned the page.
There it was.
A document with an HOA letterhead.
A signature.
A date.
And at the bottom:
Patricia Whitmore, President
Marcus stared at the signature.
Linda watched him.
"Is it real?"
"The signature looks real."
"But?"
Marcus tapped the page.
"This isn't our current agreement."
"I know."
"It doesn't match the bylaws."
"I know."
"And Patricia didn't have authority to sign something like this without board approval."
Linda nodded.
"Exactly."
Marcus closed the folder.
"So why are they sending it now?"
"Because they claim they have the right to enforce it."
Marcus looked at her.
"Against homeowners?"
"Yes."
He stood.
"Then let them try."
Linda sighed.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
The next morning, Marcus received an email.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY ACCESS
He read it twice.
A representative from Horizon Community Solutions intended to inspect his backyard the following Friday at 2 p.m.
Marcus smiled.
Then he forwarded it to Daniel Brooks.
His attorney.
Daniel responded within three minutes.
Do not respond yet.
A second message arrived.
Do not allow access.
Then:
I'll handle it.
Marcus put his phone down.