“Let him speak.”
Marcus opened the folder.
The first photograph showed the Maybach entering the garage.
The second showed Patricia standing beside it.
The third showed the garage door descending.
The fourth showed Officer Bell at the scene.
The room became quiet.
Robert looked at the photographs.
Then at Patricia.
“Did you drive your vehicle into Mr. Reed's garage?”
Patricia crossed her arms.
“I was using the space temporarily.”
“That wasn't my question.”
“Yes.”
Robert rubbed his forehead.
“Did you have written permission?”
“No.”
“Verbal?”
“I have authority under the association.”
Robert looked at the bylaws.
“Where?”
She didn't answer.
Marcus slid a page forward.
“Section 8, paragraph 3.”
Robert read it.
His eyebrows rose.
“This says the association has no authority over privately deeded interior space except for structural or common-area matters.”
Patricia's face reddened.
“That language is outdated.”
“It's the current document.”
“We're revising it.”
“You can't enforce revisions that don't exist.”
She stared at Marcus.
He remained calm.
Robert looked toward the other board members.
“I think this hearing should end.”
Patricia slammed her hand on the table.
“No.”
Everyone jumped.
“You don't understand.”
Robert looked at her.
“What don't I understand?”
Patricia pointed at Marcus.
“He thinks because he bought that house he can do whatever he wants.”
Marcus said nothing.
Robert looked at him.
“Is there a violation concerning the welding machine?”
“No.”
“Has it been inspected?”
“Yes.”
“Any complaints?”
“Only from her.”
Robert sighed.
Patricia's voice rose.
“This neighborhood has standards.”
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.”
“And he refuses to respect them.”
“What standard?”
“He's changing the character of the neighborhood.”
“How?”
“He works on machines.”
“Inside his garage?”
“Yes.”
Robert looked confused.
“That doesn't violate anything.”
“It should.”
Marcus leaned back.
“That's the problem.”
Patricia looked at him.
“What?”
“You think should means does.”
Silence.
Robert looked down at the papers.
Then he made a decision.
“This hearing is dismissed.”
Patricia stared.
“You can't.”
“I can.”
“No.”
Robert stood.
“Yes.”
Patricia's face hardened.
“This board is incompetent.”
Robert looked at her.
“Maybe.”
He gathered his papers.
“But we're not going to manufacture violations.”
The meeting ended.
Marcus walked outside.
He thought it was over.
It wasn't.
At 6:30 that evening, he found a bright orange violation notice taped to his front door.
IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE REQUIRED.