Set across the road where it crossed his property.

He checked the level.

Adjusted the latch.

Ran a chain through it.

Clicked a padlock shut.

Then photographed it.

7:51 a.m.

A sign went up:

PRIVATE PROPERTY — NO TRESPASSING

Marjorie called the sheriff.

Deputy Calvin Sorrell arrived forty-five minutes later.

Marjorie met him beside the gate.

“He has blocked our road.”

Calvin looked at the steel gate.

“Whose property?”

“This is Ridge Road.”

“That is the road name.”

He pointed toward the ground.

“Whose land?”

Marjorie hesitated.

“Mr. Vann's, technically, but we have an easement.”

“Do you have it?”

She showed him the document.

Calvin read page one.

Page two.

Then page three.

He looked toward the creek.

“Where's the bridge?”

“We removed it.”

“You removed the structure this document says your association must maintain?”

“We were replacing it.”

“Where's the replacement?”

Marjorie said nothing.

Calvin looked at her.

“Did Mr. Vann approve the removal?”

Silence.

Finally, Calvin handed the phone back.

“This is a civil property dispute.”

“He can't block thirty-eight families.”

“You have another route?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then nobody is trapped.”

Marjorie became angry.

“I want that gate removed.”

Calvin shook his head.

“I am not cutting a lock off a gate on private property when the landowner is asserting rights under a recorded easement and you have your own attorney.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Go to court.”

He looked toward the creek.

“Or negotiate.”

Then he left.

Marjorie stood beside the padlock.

For once, there was nothing she could order it to do.

The Board Meeting

That evening, twenty-six residents attended an emergency HOA meeting.