A new housing development, "Pinecrest Estates," had recently been constructed on the far eastern ridge overlooking the valley. With it came a Homeowners Association, and with the HOA came Brenda.
Brenda was the self-appointed President of the Pinecrest HOA. Dressed in pristine white slacks, a pastel pink cardigan, and oversized sunglasses perched on her blonde bob, she looked entirely out of place against the rugged backdrop of the wilderness. She marched down the dirt path clutching a white clipboard as if it were a weapon of mass destruction.
Trailing a few paces behind her was a young, visibly uncomfortable County Sheriff's Deputy.
Thomas didn't turn around immediately. He kept his eyes on the water, his hands steadily holding his carbon-fiber fishing rod. He had dealt with Brenda before. She had been leaving aggressive notices on his truck, demanding that he pay "mandatory lake maintenance fees" to the HOA, despite him not living in her subdivision.