Brianna watched the entire sequence.
She didn't excuse my conduct.
But she didn't ignore Judith's destruction either.
"Mr. Mitchell, striking a ladder while someone is standing on it can cause serious injury."
I nodded.
"I understand. It was wrong."
She studied me.
Then asked whether I had threatened to harm Judith before swinging the bat.
"No. I was shouting at her to stop damaging my camera."
Brianna nodded.
"We'll document all of that."
I took a breath.
"That's fair."
She looked toward the broken camera.
Then asked why Judith believed she had authority to remove it.
I explained the HOA notices.
The disputed rules.
And the nighttime activity I'd recorded.
Her expression changed.
"Nighttime activity?"
I nodded.
"She was in my backyard around one in the morning with another man."
Brianna looked toward the side gate.
For several seconds, she was quiet.
Then asked, "Did you give either person permission to enter?"
"No."
"Do you have that recording?"
"Yes."
She looked toward Michael, who was finishing his interview with Judith.
Then said, "I'd like to see it."
Judith interrupted before I could open the file.
She marched toward us, her floral dress moving sharply around her knees.
"Officer, why aren't you arresting him?"
Brianna turned.
"Ma'am, we're still collecting information."
Judith pointed toward the baseball bat.
"He attacked me!"
I kept my hands at my sides.
For a moment, I wanted to argue.
Then I remembered Lucy inside the house.
I took a breath.
Brianna asked Judith whether she had permission to use the ladder.
Judith looked offended.
"I'm president of the HOA."
The officer nodded.
"That doesn't answer the question."
For several seconds, Judith stared.
Then said, "I was removing an illegal surveillance device."
Brianna looked toward my house.
"Do you have documentation authorizing you to enter private property and destroy the camera?"
Judith opened her handbag.
She produced a copy of the violation notice.
Brianna read it.
Then looked toward her.
"This is a demand to remove equipment. It doesn't appear to authorize you to destroy it."
Judith folded her arms.
"The board has broad enforcement powers."
Brianna remained calm.
"Any claimed authority will need to be verified. For now, we're documenting what happened."
Judith glanced toward me.
Then looked at the shattered plastic.
For a moment, her expression became uneasy.
She seemed to realize that destroying the camera hadn't immediately convinced anyone it was illegal.
Then she changed the subject.
"He's also been interfering with an official land survey."