"This is internal HOA material."
Rebecca glanced at the contractor.
"He already used it to immobilize my vehicle."
Patricia's lips tightened.
"The association has evidence of repeated violations connected to this property."
Rebecca looked at Marcus.
"How long has my SUV been here?"
"Since yesterday afternoon."
"Has it been here before?"
"Two years ago."
Rebecca nodded.
"Christmas dinner."
Patricia quickly responded.
"Exactly."
Rebecca turned toward her.
"Two years ago?"
Patricia hesitated.
"Your vehicle has been observed at this residence."
"Once."
"That's still documented."
Rebecca pointed toward the SUV.
"Then explain the repeated overnight violations supposedly committed by this vehicle."
Patricia flipped through her folder.
"The homeowner has received several notices."
"I'm asking about my vehicle."
"The association links guest vehicles to homeowner accounts."
"That doesn't answer the question."
Patricia's face became colder.
"Who exactly are you?"
Rebecca opened her briefcase and removed a county identification wallet.
She held it up.
REBECCA SLOAN
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY
MARICOPA COUNTY
Patricia's eyes widened slightly.
Marcus saw it immediately.
Rebecca closed the wallet.
"My position isn't relevant."
Patricia recovered.
"If I had known—"
"Stop."
Rebecca's voice remained quiet.
"If this were a plumber's truck, a babysitter's car, or a delivery driver's van, the license plate would still be wrong."
The contractor cleared his throat.
"I agree."
Patricia turned toward him.
"You work for the association."
"No, ma'am. We work under contract."
He pointed toward the work order.
"Our authorization is specifically for CKT-742."
He looked at Rebecca's SUV.
"This is CKT-724."
Rebecca took several photographs.
The plate.
The boot.
The contractor's work order.
Patricia immediately objected.
"Do not photograph internal documents."
"I'm documenting the basis for an action taken against my property."
"You don't have permission."
"I don't need permission to photograph my own vehicle."
Patricia looked at Marcus.
"This is what happens when homeowners deliberately interfere with association enforcement."
Marcus stared at her.
"You still haven't asked why she is here."
"I don't care why she's here."
Rebecca smiled faintly.
"That may be your biggest mistake."
She took out her phone.
"I'm calling the police."
Patricia laughed.
"This is a private parking dispute."
Rebecca looked at the metal device around her wheel.
"No. It's a property dispute involving an incorrectly identified vehicle."
Seven minutes later, a police cruiser entered the street.
Officer Nathan Park stepped out with his body camera recording.
"Who called?"
Rebecca raised her hand.
"I did."
Patricia immediately stepped forward.
"I'm Patricia Whitmore, president of the HOA. We have an authorized parking enforcement procedure, and the homeowner and his guest became confrontational."
Officer Park looked at Marcus.
"Anyone threaten anyone?"
"No."
"Anyone touch anyone?"
"No."
Rebecca pointed toward the SUV.
"The contractor attached that boot using an order for a different license plate."
Officer Park examined the paperwork.
He read the plate.
Then he read the vehicle.
Then he looked at the driveway.
"Is this private property?"
Marcus answered.
"Yes. My driveway."
Park turned toward Patricia.