Her expression changed for half a second.
Then the smile returned.
"Sir."
I said nothing.
"This is a private community event."
"This is my house."
Linda laughed.
"It's the HOA's pool now."
I looked at the orange notice on my front door.
SECTION 4.2.
Fake.
Completely fake.
Tom approached me.
"Maybe you should come back later."
A man in a salmon-colored shirt added:
"Buddy, let the kids enjoy their day."
I looked at him.
Then at Linda.
"Okay."
I walked away.
That confused her.
She expected a confrontation.
Instead, I returned to my car.
The folder sat on the passenger seat.
I opened it.
Inside was the deed.
The survey.
The bylaws.
The minutes.
The evidence.
At 5:00 p.m., I called Diane.
"Everything ready?"
"Signed and ready."
"Monday morning?"
"Nine sharp."
Then I called Marcus.
"Confirmed?"
"Confirmed."
"Seven?"
"Seven."
I looked at my house.
Linda was laughing with guests.
At 5:45, I returned to the neighborhood.
The party was louder.
Linda had a glass of wine.
She seemed completely comfortable.
Then at 6:15, she climbed onto a folding chair.
Someone began a Facebook Live broadcast.
Linda raised her glass.
"To community," she said.
The crowd applauded.
"To shared resources."
More applause.
"To the Pinewood we're building together, even when certain residents try to keep things to themselves."
Everyone laughed.
I recorded the entire speech.
I sent it to Diane.
Then I sent it to Marcus.
SAVE THIS.
At 6:55, two unmarked SUVs arrived.
Marcus stepped out.
Two deputies followed.
He looked at the cars.
The catering van.
The orange notice.
Then at me.
"She really did it."
"She really did."
He handed me the citation packet.
I took it.
Then I checked my phone.
The pool cameras were still recording.
The Facebook Live was archived.
The invitation was preserved.
The guests were still there.
Linda had done exactly what I needed.
At 6:58, I stood beside my gate.
Marcus stood behind me.
Two deputies stood beside him.
The music continued.
I took one breath.
Then I unlocked the gate.
Seven O'Clock
At exactly 7:00 p.m., I walked into my own backyard.
The music continued for three seconds.
Then someone noticed the deputies.
The sound system kept playing, but the conversation died.
Linda turned.