"You don't need to interrogate me."
"I'm not."
He put down the screwdriver.
"I just want to know what section you're relying on."
Patricia crossed her arms.
"You've been warned."
Marcus nodded.
"Okay."
She waited.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I'll review it."
"You have fourteen days."
"I know."
"Then I suggest you use them."
She turned to leave.
Marcus called after her.
"Patricia."
She looked back.
"Yes?"
"Don't come onto my property again without permission."
Her eyes narrowed.
"This is an HOA community."
"That doesn't mean you own my yard."
She smiled coldly.
"We'll see."
She walked away.
Marcus watched her leave.
He didn't know then how literal that final sentence would become.
Over the following days, Patricia escalated.
First came emails.
Then notices.
Then photographs.
Then a hearing request.
Then a demand that Marcus attend an architectural compliance meeting.
Marcus attended.
Five board members sat around a long table.
Patricia sat at the center.
She placed a folder in front of her.
"Mr. Reed," she said, "we're here because your fence violates community standards."
Marcus sat across from her.
"I've asked repeatedly for the survey supporting that claim."
Patricia opened her folder.
"The association's records establish the boundary."
"May I see them?"
She pushed a photocopy across the table.
Marcus looked at it.
Thomas Avery's name was not on it.
It was an outdated subdivision sketch.
It did not show the current parcel dimensions.
Marcus looked up.
"This isn't a survey."
"It's the association's official site plan."
"It isn't a boundary survey."
"It's what we use."
"That doesn't establish my property line."
Patricia leaned forward.
"You're not an expert."
"No."
"But our management company is."
"Who prepared this?"
She paused.
"That's not relevant."
"It is if you're using it to claim my fence is on someone else's property."
Patricia closed the folder.
"The board has determined that it is."
"Based on what?"
"Based on the association's records."
Marcus nodded.
"Okay."
One board member, a retired accountant named Helen, looked uncomfortable.
"Patricia, perhaps we should ask for a professional survey."
Patricia looked at her.
"We don't need one."
"Perhaps just to settle the issue."
"No."
Marcus noticed that.
He said nothing.
Patricia continued.
"You have ten days."
"To do what?"
"Remove the fence."
"If I don't?"
"We'll take further action."
"Meaning?"
"Fines."
"Okay."
"Possibly legal enforcement."
"Okay."
Patricia looked irritated by his calmness.
"You don't seem concerned."
"I am."
"Then why are you smiling?"
"I'm not smiling."
"You are."
Marcus looked at her.
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
"How much easier this would be if someone just checked the boundary."
The meeting ended shortly afterward.