"Ms. Whitmore."
She looked at him.
"This is an HOA matter."
"No."
Daniel stopped.
"It's a property matter."
"You don't understand."
"I understand exactly."
He opened the folder.
"The HOA has no written authorization to use this property."
Patricia raised her chin.
"We've held events here before."
"With Mr. Reed's permission."
"He has always cooperated."
"That's irrelevant."
"It establishes precedent."
"No."
Daniel looked at Marcus.
"Do you want me to handle this?"
Marcus nodded.
Patricia suddenly stepped back.
"Wait."
Daniel looked at her.
"Mr. Brooks, let's not escalate this."
"You already escalated it."
"I was trying to organize a community event."
"On private property."
"We believed—"
"You didn't believe. You assumed."
Patricia's expression hardened again.
"Everyone benefits from these events."
"That's not the issue."
"Then what is?"
Daniel opened the folder.
"The issue is that you accepted money from residents in exchange for access to property you did not control."
Patricia stared at him.
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it?"
He removed several printed pages.
"I have the payment records."
Patricia's face tightened.
"I have the event authorization."
"Show me."
She hesitated.
Daniel held out his hand.
Patricia looked down at the clipboard.
Then back at him.
"These documents were approved."
"By whom?"
"The board."
"Where is the board resolution?"
She said nothing.
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
The morning had begun to heat up.
Neighbors were gathering along the sidewalk.
Some had phones out.
Others whispered.
Patricia noticed.
"This is becoming a spectacle."
Marcus answered quietly.
"No. It became a spectacle when you advertised my backyard to one hundred people."
At 8:12, the first paying guests arrived.
A family of four.
They stepped from an SUV carrying towels, bags, and a cooler.
The father looked toward the tables.
Then toward Patricia.
"Is the pool closed?"
Patricia walked toward them.
"It's a temporary delay."
The man frowned.
"We paid."
"I know."
"Is the pool opening?"
"Yes."
Marcus said nothing.
The father looked at him.
Marcus nodded toward the drainage hose.
The man followed his gaze.
His expression changed.
"Is the pool empty?"
"Not completely."
"Why?"
"Because it was booked without my permission."
The man's wife looked at Patricia.
"You told us the homeowner approved this."
Patricia stiffened.
"I said the HOA had arranged it."