It was not yet clear whether the discrepancies reflected careless accounting, contractual disputes, or deliberate misrepresentation.
Daniel called her.
"Tell me what you've found."
Laura summarized the latest records.
One Northstar subcontractor had provided security and compliance services to several private communities, including Willow Creek Estates.
The company had also submitted invoices to a county department for vehicle inspections and property-access reviews.
The dates overlapped.
There was no proof that the two sets of invoices were connected.
But there was enough to justify checking whether the same employees, equipment, or administrative records had been used for both clients.
"Do we have any evidence that the HOA is involved in the county contracts?" Daniel asked.
"Not yet," Laura replied. "We have a shared vendor, not a shared scheme."
"Good distinction."
"I thought you'd appreciate it."
"Has anyone interviewed Pike?"
"Not formally. We sent a request for supporting records. His attorney says they'll respond next week."
Daniel made a note.
"Let's keep the scope narrow. Verify the invoices. Identify who authorized the work. Don't assume the private association's records have anything to do with the county contracts."
"Agreed."
They discussed the next steps for several minutes.
When the call ended, Daniel returned to the kitchen.
Nathan was checking his email.
"Anything new?"
"Something at work that may or may not be related to the company your HOA uses."
Nathan looked up.
"Northstar?"
Daniel paused.
"How did you know?"
"Because Linda sent me a list of the association's contractors last night. Northstar is on it."
Daniel considered that.
"Then we should be careful not to assume a connection. A company can have legitimate contracts with multiple clients."
"I understand."
"If you receive records concerning Northstar, keep them separate from my work files. Don't send anything to my office simply because the company name appears in both places."
Nathan nodded.
"Of course."
Daniel finished his coffee and prepared to leave.
At 7:58, the doorbell rang.
Nathan opened the door.
Richard Harlan stood on the porch.
This time he carried a thick folder.
Behind him, parked near the curb, was a white SUV bearing the logo of Northstar Compliance Services.
Daniel stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
Richard looked at Nathan.
"Good morning. We need to resolve this matter today."
Nathan remained in the doorway.
"What matter?"
"The unauthorized vehicle."
"It's still parked on my property."
"That is precisely the problem."
Richard opened the folder and removed a document.
"I have here the association's emergency vehicle-control policy."
Nathan took the paper.
He read the heading.
Then he looked at the signature line.
"Where is the board's approval?"
"The policy was adopted under the president's emergency authority."
"Which section grants you that authority?"
Richard pointed to a paragraph in the document.
Nathan read it.
Then he looked at Daniel.
"This isn't in the handbook."
Richard turned toward Daniel.
"You again."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Good morning, Mr. Harlan."
Richard ignored the greeting.
"I have made every reasonable effort to resolve this. Your continued interference is unacceptable."
Daniel looked at the document.
"May I see it?"
Richard hesitated.
Then he handed it over.
Daniel read the first page.
The wording was vague, but one paragraph stood out.
It claimed that the president could temporarily classify a vehicle as a security risk when its presence threatened community operations.
The document referred to a board resolution dated March 14.
Daniel checked the date.
"Did the board meet on March 14?"
Richard's expression tightened.
"Yes."
"Was this policy presented at that meeting?"
"It was discussed."
"Was it approved?"
"The board authorized me to take appropriate measures."
"That wasn't my question."
Richard reached for the document.
Daniel handed it back.
"Mr. Harlan, if you intend to rely on a board resolution, the homeowner should be able to obtain a copy of that resolution."
"He can request records through the proper channels."
"Has the request been denied?"
"The association is not required to answer every demand immediately."
Nathan looked at the paper again.
"Richard, I'm asking for the resolution number and the minutes recording the vote."
Richard turned toward him.
"You are deliberately obstructing a lawful enforcement action."
Nathan's face hardened.
"No. I'm asking you to prove that the action is lawful."
For several seconds, Richard said nothing.
Then he turned toward the Northstar vehicle.
"Mr. Pike's representative is here to document the violation."
The driver stepped out.
He was a man in his early forties, wearing a navy jacket and carrying a tablet.
"Good morning," he said cautiously.
Richard gestured toward the Tahoe.
"Please proceed."
The representative looked at Nathan.
"Sir, I'm here on behalf of Northstar Compliance Services. We have been asked to conduct a visual inspection of a vehicle reported as a potential community security concern."
Nathan stared at him.
"Who reported it?"
"The association president."
"Has the association authorized you to enter my property?"
"We're not entering the property."
"Then you can inspect it from the street."
The representative nodded.
"That's acceptable."
Richard looked furious.
"This is an official inspection."
The representative glanced at him.
"Our work order authorizes visual documentation from a public area. It does not authorize entry onto private property or removal of the vehicle."
Daniel watched Richard carefully.
The president appeared to have expected the contractor to obey without question.
Instead, the contractor had read his own work order.
"Who prepared that work order?" Daniel asked.
The representative looked at his tablet.
"It was submitted by Mr. Harlan."
"Who approved it?"
"Our operations manager."
"Was the board resolution attached?"
"No."
Richard stepped between them.
"This is none of your business."
Daniel did not move.
"Then there should be no problem answering a simple question."
Richard pointed toward the street.
"I want you to leave."
Daniel glanced at his watch.