"Don't."
Ethan stopped.
Victoria watched him with satisfaction.
"You see?" she said. "This is exactly why you don't belong here."
Ethan looked at her.
"What exactly have I done?"
"You refuse to cooperate."
"I asked for copies of the bylaws."
"You question the board."
"I asked where my fines were going."
"You accuse the association of wrongdoing."
"Because I found discrepancies."
Victoria's face changed.
Only for a second.
But Ethan noticed.
He always noticed.
"You're very interested in our finances," she said.
"I am when you're charging me for things that aren't in the rules."
Mason stepped closer.
"Enough talking."
He raised the bat.
Ethan's voice became quiet.
"Son, think very carefully."
Mason grinned.
"You think I'm scared of you?"
"No."
Ethan looked directly at Victoria.
"I think you're the one who should be scared."
Victoria laughed.
"You've been saying that for months."
Then she nodded toward Mason.
"Make him understand."
Mason swung.
The bat smashed into the concrete beside Ethan's hand.
The crack echoed across the backyard.
Ethan didn't move.
Neither did Victoria.
For several seconds, there was only silence.
Then Ethan reached behind him.
His fingers caught the jacket hanging over a patio chair.
He pulled it toward himself.
Something metallic slipped from the pocket.
It struck the stone deck.
Clack.
A black federal badge landed face-up between them.
Mason froze.
Victoria's smile disappeared.
Ethan slowly looked down at the badge.
Then back at them.
"Now," he said quietly, "we can have the conversation you've been avoiding."
Nobody spoke.
Mason stared at the badge.
Victoria stared at Ethan.
Ethan remained calm.
The badge lay on the pool deck between them.
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Special Agent.
Ethan Carter.
Mason's grip loosened around the bat.
"You..."
His voice cracked.
"You're federal?"
Ethan picked up the badge.
"Yes."
Victoria's face had gone pale.
But she recovered quickly.
"That doesn't change anything."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Actually, it changes quite a lot."
Victoria straightened.
"You still violated association rules."
"Which ones?"
"The ones you've been given."
"The ones you fabricated?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"You can't accuse me of crimes just because you're a federal agent."
Ethan smiled slightly.
"I'm not accusing you."
He looked toward the security camera mounted above the patio.
"I'm documenting you."
Victoria followed his gaze.
Her face changed again.
Ethan continued.
"Every threat."
"Every unauthorized inspection."
"Every attempt to interfere with my property."
"And now your son standing here with a bat."
Mason lowered the weapon.
"I didn't hit him."
"No," Ethan said.
"You missed."
Victoria snapped.
"Enough!"
Her voice echoed across the backyard.
A neighbor appeared behind a fence.
Then another.
People had begun watching.
Victoria looked around.
"This is a private HOA matter."
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
He pointed to the badge.
"It became federal the moment your actions intersected with the investigation."
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"What investigation?"
Ethan said nothing.
That silence frightened her more than an accusation would have.
Because she suddenly understood something.
Maybe Ethan hadn't moved into Willow Creek because he liked the neighborhood.
Maybe he had come there for her.
Mason looked at his mother.
"Mom?"
"Get the car."
"But—"
"Now."
Mason started toward the gate.
Ethan spoke.
"Leave the bat."
Mason stopped.
"What?"
"Put it down."
Mason looked at his mother.
Victoria nodded.
The bat hit the concrete.
Ethan watched Mason walk away.
Then he looked at Victoria.
"You should leave too."
She stepped closer.
"You think that badge makes you untouchable?"
"No."
Ethan's voice was almost gentle.
"I think your own words make you vulnerable."
Victoria stared at him.
Then Ethan's phone vibrated.
He answered.
"Go."
A woman's voice came through.