"Not without due process."

Linda crossed her arms.

"You aren't a lawyer."

"No."

I looked at Arthur.

"But I can read."

The security contractor shifted uncomfortably.

Arthur's voice lowered.

"Frank, this isn't worth fighting over."

"Eight thousand dollars isn't worth fighting over?"

"That's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

Arthur stared at me.

For the first time, I saw something behind his eyes.

Fear.

It was there for only a second.

But I saw it.

I stood.

"Arthur."

He didn't respond.

"What's behind that wall?"

His face went blank.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Then why are you so desperate to remove it?"

Linda stepped between us.

"This conversation is over."

"No."

I looked directly at Arthur.

"You've been telling everyone this is about appearances."

I pointed toward the drainage basin.

"But it isn't."

His jaw tightened.

"Be careful, Frank."

That was when I knew I was right.

The Storm Warning

A week later, the weather service issued a severe storm warning.

Rainfall projections were higher than anything we'd experienced in years.

I stood in my backyard and looked at the wall.

It wasn't perfect.

It wasn't pretty.

But it was solid.

I checked every drainage opening.

Cleared every grate.

Tested the sump pumps.

Then I called Tom.

"You think it's going to hold?"

He answered immediately.

"The wall isn't what I'm worried about."

"What is?"

"The neighborhood."

That evening, the HOA sent an email telling residents not to worry.

It said the drainage system had been inspected.

It said the board had taken "all necessary precautions."