They were an ordinary family living an ordinary life.
Except for one problem.
Their neighborhood belonged to the Oakridge Homeowners Association.
And the HOA had begun behaving as though it owned much more than the neighborhood.
The Black Truck
The truck appeared twenty minutes later.
It was black.
Large.
Unmarked except for two words painted on the doors:
HOA ENFORCEMENT UNIT.
Nick noticed it through the front window.
The vehicle rolled slowly down the street.
Too slowly.
He watched it stop directly in front of his house.
Two men stepped out.
They wore black tactical vests, heavy boots, and dark clothing.
They were not police officers.
But they looked as though they wanted people to think they were.
Nick stepped onto the porch.
"What are you doing?"
The taller man looked at him.
"We need to inspect the property."
"For what?"
"Unapproved construction."
Nick frowned.
"There isn't any."
The man didn't answer.
Allison came outside holding Logan.
"You can't just come onto our property," she said.