"They suspected."
"But they couldn't prove it."
"Until now."
Daniel looked at the stack of documents.
"No."
He corrected himself.
"Until they had enough records to prove it."
Samuel nodded.
"Exactly."
The next HOA meeting was unlike any meeting the neighborhood had ever seen.
There were reporters outside.
County officials inside.
Homeowners packed every seat.
Patricia arrived late.
This time she wasn't wearing blue.
She wore a black dress and carried a leather folder.
Her face was pale.
She stopped when she saw Daniel.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she walked toward him.
"You've been talking to people."
Daniel looked at her.
"I've been listening."
"You have no right."
"I have every right."
"You are trying to destroy the community."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
"What then?"
"I'm trying to find out who already did."
Patricia's eyes narrowed.
"You don't understand what you're dealing with."
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
She stepped closer.
"You think you're protecting your family."
"I am."
"You don't know what you're risking."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"So tell me."
Patricia hesitated.
For the first time, she looked afraid.
Daniel noticed.
That was the moment he knew.
Not because she had confessed.
Not because she had admitted anything.
But because a woman who had once stood in his driveway and ordered a tow truck without hesitation was now afraid of the questions being asked.
The meeting began.
Patricia took the microphone.
"We have been subjected to an unfair campaign of intimidation."
Several homeowners laughed bitterly.
She continued.
"Certain individuals have attempted to undermine the board."
Daniel stood.
"I have a question."
Patricia looked at him.
"No."
The room went silent.
Daniel stared at her.
"You said homeowners were being intimidated."
"Yes."
"By whom?"
"By you."
Daniel looked around.
Then back at her.
"How?"
"You have threatened this board."
"When?"
"You have demanded records."
"That's not a threat."
"You have contacted homeowners."
"That's called talking."
"You've hired attorneys."
"That's called having legal representation."
Patricia's voice rose.
"You are creating fear."
Daniel nodded.
"Then let's remove fear."
He walked toward the table.
Samuel followed.
Daniel placed a folder down.
"This is every HOA towing authorization issued by Carter Recovery over the last three years."
Patricia stared at it.
"This is confidential."
"No."
Daniel opened it.
"These are invoices."
Patricia's face tightened.
"And this is the list of homeowners who received property access requests within ninety days of being towed."
The room became silent.
Daniel opened another folder.
"Nine names."
He read them.
One by one.
The homeowners raised their hands.