“That sounds like yes.”
Linda's face flushed.
Jamal said nothing.
He didn't need to.
Green asked to see the video.
Jamal played it.
The recording showed Linda entering his yard.
She looked toward the street.
Opened the utility enclosure.
Removed the bolt cutters from her SUV.
Placed them around the cable.
The connection dropped.
The camera switched automatically to backup mode.
When the footage ended, nobody spoke.
Linda finally said, “There are circumstances you're not understanding.”
Mills folded his arms.
“Then explain them.”
“The cable is unauthorized.”
Jamal opened an email on his phone.
“This is from the internet provider.”
Then another.
“City approval.”
Mills read both.
His expression changed.
“It says the installation is permitted within the utility easement.”
Linda shook her head.
“That doesn't supersede community standards.”
Officer Green looked at her.
“Community standards don't normally authorize property damage.”
Linda laughed nervously.
“Property damage? This is ridiculous.”
Jamal looked at Green.
“She also threatened to have me removed from my own neighborhood.”
“That's not what I said.”
“It was recorded.”
Jamal played the second clip.
Linda's own voice filled the lawn.
Touch me and I'll have you fined, trespassed, and removed from this neighborhood.
Mills looked at her.
“Removed how?”
“I meant through HOA remedies.”
“What remedy allows an HOA president to trespass a homeowner from his own property?”
Linda didn't answer.
Green noticed the black folder beneath Linda's arm.
“What is that?”
“Association records.”
“Any work order concerning this property?”
“They're confidential.”
Jamal watched her.
Then remembered something.
“Ask her about the other houses.”
Linda's head snapped toward him.
Mills looked at Jamal.
“What other houses?”
“When I came outside, she was texting someone.”
Linda's face changed.
“I wasn't.”
Jamal continued.
“I saw the message preview. It said, Willow Crest done. Two more tonight.”
Silence.