Maddy turned around.
The next morning, an HOA violation notice appeared on Hank's front door.
$250 FINE.
The Mustang, according to Maddy, was allegedly a non-operational vehicle.
Hank almost laughed.
He had registration.
Insurance.
Inspection records.
Receipts.
Twelve years of restoration documentation.
He paid the fine.
Then he started a folder.
The Cameras
Hank had installed nine exterior cameras years earlier.
He didn't advertise them.
He didn't need to.
The cameras covered every approach to his property.
They recorded movement.
Faces.
Vehicles.
Voices.
And they stored everything in the cloud.
Three days after the first HOA violation, Hank's phone buzzed while he was reviewing the police department budget.
MOTION DETECTED — 1:47 A.M.
He opened the footage.
Braden appeared.
The teenager walked directly toward the Mustang.
Hank watched silently.
Braden pulled out a brass key.
He looked around.
Then he scratched the car.
Hank replayed it.
Again.
And again.
Then he heard something that made his expression change.
Braden whispered to himself:
“Braden Kessler doesn't get told no.”
Hank leaned back.