"Where is the homeowner?"
"He's at work."
"Then I need to speak to him."
"About what?"
Richard raised the paper.
"This vehicle is in violation of community parking rules."
Daniel glanced toward the driveway.
"It's parked on private property."
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"That's not your decision to make."
"Actually, the homeowner decides who may park in his driveway."
"This community has standards."
"Does the community own this driveway?"
Richard's face flushed.
"I am the president of the homeowners' association."
"I understand."
"Then you should understand that I have the authority to enforce our regulations."
"Which regulation prohibits a guest from parking in a resident's driveway?"
Richard looked at the paper in his hand.
For a moment, he seemed surprised that Daniel had asked for a specific rule.
Then he recovered.
"The association has the right to regulate vehicles that create a safety concern or interfere with community standards."
"Is the vehicle creating a safety concern?"
"It's oversized."
Daniel glanced at the Tahoe.
"It fits inside the driveway."
"It's visually disruptive."
Daniel almost laughed.
Instead, he kept his voice level.
"Mr. Harlan, I think you've mistaken the driveway for common property."
Richard stared at him.
"Are you a lawyer?"
"No."
"Then I suggest you stop arguing about matters you don't understand."
Daniel looked at the document.
"May I see that?"
Richard hesitated, then handed it over.
The page was headed NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE VEHICLE REMOVAL.
Beneath the heading was a paragraph stating that unauthorized vehicles could be towed at the owner's expense when they violated community rules. A second paragraph referred to an association policy governing oversized vehicles, commercial vehicles, and overnight guest parking.
At the bottom was a signature.
Richard Harlan, HOA President.
There was no reference to a recorded covenant number. No indication that the policy applied to private driveways. No evidence of an emergency. No tow authorization.
Daniel returned the document.
"Who approved this notice?"
"The board."
"When?"
Richard folded his arms.
"That's none of your concern."
"Then you shouldn't expect me to treat it as proof of authority."
Richard took a step closer.
"Listen carefully. I have dealt with people who think they can come into this neighborhood and do whatever they want. I will not tolerate it."
Daniel met his gaze.
"I'm visiting my sister. My vehicle is on her property. Nobody is blocking the sidewalk, the road, or the fire lane. If you believe there's a specific violation, put it in writing and provide the rule."
"I already have."
"You've provided a document with your signature."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"You're being deliberately difficult."
"No. I'm asking you to identify the authority you're claiming."
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Richard was accustomed to people who became apologetic when he raised his voice. Daniel's calmness seemed to irritate him more than an insult would have.
"You have until noon to remove that vehicle," Richard said.
Daniel handed the paper back.
"I won't be removing it on behalf of the homeowner."
"Then I'll have it removed."
"On what basis?"
Richard smiled thinly.
"You'll find out."
He turned and walked down the porch steps.
Daniel watched him return to his pickup.
Before climbing inside, Richard pointed toward the Tahoe.
"Last warning."
Then he drove away.
Daniel closed the door.
Emily appeared at the top of the stairs.
"What was that about?"
"The HOA president doesn't like my car."
She came downstairs, looked out the window, and noticed the marks on the bumper.
Her expression changed.
"Did he do that?"
"Yes."
"Are you serious?"
Daniel showed her the recording.
Emily watched silently.
When the video ended, she pressed a hand against her forehead.
"Oh, Nathan is going to be furious."
"He should document the damage."
"He will. But Richard is going to make this unbearable."
Daniel looked at her.
"Has he damaged anyone else's property?"
Emily hesitated.
"I don't know about damage. He's threatened to tow cars, though. And he once had a contractor remove a basketball hoop from a driveway without asking the owner."
"Was the contractor authorized?"
"Richard said the board approved it."
"Did the owner agree?"
"No."
Daniel glanced at the Tahoe again.
"Then your neighbors may want to start keeping records."
Emily sighed.
"That's exactly what Nathan says. But people are tired, Daniel. They work, they raise their children, they pay their bills. They don't want to spend every evening fighting over a parking space."
He understood that.
Most people did not avoid confrontation because they lacked courage. They avoided it because confrontation consumed time, energy, money, and peace of mind. A person could be entirely right and still suffer months of inconvenience before anyone acknowledged it.
That was one reason he took documentation seriously.
He returned to the window and photographed the damage from several angles.
Then he called Nathan.
His brother-in-law answered after the third ring.
"Everything okay?"
"Not exactly."
Daniel explained what had happened.
Nathan was silent for several seconds.
"Richard kicked your car?"
"Four times, at least. I recorded him."
"You're kidding."
"I wish I were."
Nathan exhaled sharply.
"Don't touch anything. I'll come home during lunch and take photographs."
"I've already taken some."
"Good. Keep the video."
"I will."
Nathan lowered his voice.
"Daniel, I don't want you getting dragged into this. Richard has a way of turning everything into a neighborhood controversy."
"I haven't done anything except park in your driveway."
"That's not what I mean."
"I know."
Nathan paused.
"He's been trying to get the board to approve stricter guest-parking rules for months. The current rules are vague, and people have been challenging his notices. He may be using your vehicle to make an example of someone."
"Then he's chosen an unfortunate example."
Nathan gave a tired laugh.