"Do you have written authority to immobilize vehicles on private residential driveways?"
Patricia opened her binder.
"Yes."
"Show me."
For the first time that morning, Patricia looked uncertain.
The Missing Permission
Patricia searched through her binder.
Parking regulations.
Guest policies.
Common-area enforcement.
Towing provisions.
Administrative procedures.
But nothing mentioned wheel boots on private residential driveways.
Officer Park waited patiently.
"Do you have the document?"
Patricia pointed toward a paragraph.
"Enforcement remedies."
Park read it.
"Fines, suspension of common-area privileges, and towing from designated common areas."
He looked toward Marcus's driveway.
"Is this a designated common area?"
"No," Marcus answered.
Patricia interrupted.
"The association has supplemental policies."
"Do you have those with you?"
"No."
Rebecca folded her arms.
"Then what authorization was the contractor acting under?"
Patricia's jaw tightened.
"The HOA has enforcement authority."
Officer Park looked at her.
"That's not what I asked."
The contractor, uncomfortable with the confrontation, spoke.
"Our company normally handles private parking lots, commercial properties, and HOA-owned areas."
"Why were you sent here?"
"The work order classified this as association-controlled parking."
Marcus stepped toward him.
"My driveway?"
The contractor showed him the paperwork.
Marcus read the classification.
HOA CONTROLLED PARKING PAD — VIOLATOR ACCESS RESTRICTED.
He stared at Patricia.
"My driveway was classified as HOA parking?"
Patricia shrugged.
"Technically, it's subject to HOA rules."
"That's not the same thing."
Rebecca leaned over the document.
"Who entered this classification?"
The contractor checked the work order.
"Client-side request."
"Which client?"
He looked at Patricia.
"Sonoran Ridge HOA."
Rebecca nodded.
"Who specifically?"
The contractor hesitated.
"Patricia Whitmore's office."
Patricia's expression hardened.
"This is becoming unnecessarily complicated."
Marcus pointed toward his security camera.
"No. It's becoming documented."
There were three cameras on the property.
One above the garage.
One facing the front entrance.
One aimed directly at the driveway.
Officer Park looked toward them.
"Preserve the footage."
"I will."
Patricia sighed.
"Mr. Bell, you've always had difficulty following community standards."
Marcus looked at her.
"What standards?"
"You've had multiple guest vehicles."
"I'm allowed guests."
"Not indefinitely."
"This guest arrived yesterday."
Rebecca interrupted.
"How many days am I supposedly allowed to stay?"
Patricia didn't answer.
Rebecca waited.
"Because the written rules don't seem to say what you're claiming."
Patricia looked at Officer Park.
"The board has delegated enforcement discretion."
Park nodded slowly.
"That's something the board can clarify."
He handed the work order back to the contractor.
"The plate doesn't match."
The contractor nodded.
"I'm removing the boot."
Patricia snapped.
"I did not authorize removal."
The contractor looked at her.
"Ma'am, the order identifies another vehicle."
He unlocked the device.