"I've seen these before."
Daniel looked at him.
"From this HOA?"
Marcus hesitated.
"Sometimes."
That single word made Daniel stop.
"Sometimes?"
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
"Not just this neighborhood."
"How many?"
"I don't know."
"Guess."
Marcus looked toward the truck.
"More than a dozen."
Daniel's expression changed.
"How many in the last year?"
Marcus didn't answer.
"Marcus."
"Maybe thirty."
Emily looked at her father.
"Thirty cars?"
"Some were trucks. Some motorcycles. A couple boats."
"Why?"
"HOA enforcement."
Daniel looked at the towing order.
Something about it no longer felt ridiculous.
It felt organized.
He picked up his phone again.
"Marcus."
"Yes?"
"Don't close the work order."
Marcus stared at him.
Daniel pointed toward the garage.
"Bring me a copy."
Marcus nodded.
"I can do that."
"And send me every HOA-related dispatch you've handled in the last two years."
Marcus hesitated.
"You're the owner."
"Exactly."
The driver nodded.
"I'll pull them."
Daniel looked at Emily.
"Go inside."
"But—"
"Please."
Emily walked toward the house.
Halfway there, she turned.
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
Daniel smiled.
"Always."
She disappeared inside.
Daniel stood in the driveway.
The tow truck's amber lights were still flashing.
He watched them reflect across the pink Porsche.
For years, he had kept his business and personal life separate.
He had never told the HOA he owned the towing company.
He had never needed to.
But now he wondered whether that separation had allowed Patricia to become comfortable ordering things she would never have ordered if she knew who would receive the call.
Then he wondered something more important.
How many other people had been less fortunate?
The question stayed with him long after the tow truck left.
That evening, Daniel sat at the kitchen table with Danielle and Emily.
The HOA notice lay between them.
Danielle read it slowly.
"Vehicle color violation."
She looked up.
"That's not in the bylaws."
"I know."
"Where did she get this?"
"Apparently from board discretion."
Danielle shook her head.
"That's not how bylaws work."
Daniel nodded.
"Exactly."
Emily sat quietly.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Why does she hate me?"
Danielle reached across the table.
"She doesn't hate you."
Emily looked unconvinced.
"Then why does she keep picking me?"
Daniel answered.
"Because you're visible."
"What does that mean?"
"Your car stands out."
"So?"
"People who care too much about control don't like things they can't control."
Emily looked at the notice.
"But it's just a car."
Daniel shook his head.
"To you."
Danielle looked at him.