Suddenly, the power in Daniel's house cut out. Pitch black. Outside, the flashing red and blue lights of three police cruisers illuminated the living room windows.
A loud pounding echoed against the front door. "Police Department! Open up!"
Daniel opened the door to find the same officers from the BBQ, accompanied by Patricia and a slick-looking man in a tailored suit.
"Mr. Brooks," the lawyer said smoothly. "My client is executing an emergency injunction. We have reason to believe you are harboring stolen HOA property, specifically financial documents belonging to the board."
"He broke into the community shed!" Patricia yelled, pointing a trembling finger at Daniel. "Arrest him!"
"That shed is on my property," Daniel said, standing his ground.
"Not anymore," the lawyer handed a document to the police. "Under HOA emergency bylaws, the board has claimed eminent domain over the rear twenty feet of Mr. Brooks's property due to severe code violations. The land, and everything on it, belongs to the association. He is trespassing on our land."
The older officer looked at Daniel with a pained expression. "Son, if they have the paperwork, I have to ask you to step aside so they can retrieve the property."
Patricia smirked, her eyes darting toward the kitchen table where the lockbox sat in the dark. She was going to destroy the evidence. She was going to erase Arthur Henderson's legacy and steal Daniel's home in one fell swoop.