Daniel sat near the fireplace.
I sat at the table with a folder of documents.
"I still think enforcement needs transparent standards," he said.
"That's what I've been saying."
He smiled.
"Engineers always want standards."
"Lawyers pretend they don't."
Before he could answer, tires crunched across the gravel.
Daniel looked toward the window.
"Expecting someone?"
"No."
A black SUV stopped outside.
A county patrol car pulled in behind it.
Then another cruiser.
I recognized Evelyn as she stepped out.
She carried her clipboard.
Two officers followed her.
Sergeant Baines was one of them.
Officer Trevor Mills was the other.
Daniel looked at me.
"Friend of yours?"
"Not exactly."
Evelyn marched toward the porch.
She didn't knock.
She hit the door three times, grabbed the handle, and pushed it open.
Then she stepped inside.
"This property is not for you," she announced.
"Get out."
Daniel remained in his chair.
I took a sip of coffee.
"Good morning, Evelyn."
"Do not try to charm your way out of this."
"I wasn't."
She threw a packet onto my table.
"The board has completed an ownership review."
"That sounds expensive."
Her face tightened.
"It revealed serious irregularities."
"Such as?"
"The previous owner transferred this property under circumstances inconsistent with neighborhood protocols."
"There are no neighborhood protocols for my property."
"You bypassed association review."
"Because the association has no authority over this parcel."
Evelyn turned toward Baines.
"I want him removed while ownership is reviewed."
Baines looked at me.
"You're the recorded owner?"
"Yes."
"I've verified that."
Evelyn snapped, "He claims to be."
Baines looked at her.
"Do you have evidence of fraud?"
"I have evidence of noncompliance."
"That's not the same thing."
For the first time, Evelyn seemed uncertain.
Then she looked toward Daniel.
She hadn't noticed him before.
That was about to become her biggest mistake.
When Daniel Stood Up
Evelyn stared at Daniel.
"Who are you?"
Daniel set down his coffee.
"Daniel Mercer."
"Are you representing Mr. Daniels?"
"Not privately."
"Then this doesn't concern you."
Daniel looked at her.
"You entered a private residence with police officers and demanded that the recorded owner leave."
Evelyn laughed nervously.
"You don't understand the background."
"I have read it."
She glanced at me.
"You have been spreading false accusations."
"I shared your letters."
"Those communications were confidential."