The brick left Victoria Harrington's hand before anyone realized she was actually going to throw it.
For one impossible second, it seemed to hang beneath the afternoon sun.
Then it struck the center of the gas station's front window.
CRASH!
Glass exploded inward.
Two customers at the pumps ducked behind their vehicles.
A display of bottled drinks collapsed inside the convenience store.
The security alarm began screaming.
And standing ten feet away was Marcus Reed.
He didn't move.
His charcoal suit was still perfectly pressed.
His white shirt was still clean.
His leather portfolio remained tucked beneath one arm.
He simply looked at the broken window.
Then at the brick lying among the shattered glass.
Then at Victoria.
"You just threw that."
Victoria adjusted her oversized sunglasses.
"I did what was necessary."
"No."
Marcus's voice was quiet.
"You destroyed my property."
Victoria laughed.
"Your property?"
She stepped closer.
"This station has been abandoned for almost a year."
Marcus looked around.
The pumps were old.
The sign was faded.
The parking lot had weeds growing through cracks.
But none of that changed the answer.
"It belongs to me."
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"You have no authority to operate a commercial property inside this community."
"I don't live in your community."
"You own a property inside it."
"Outside it."
She pointed toward a bronze plaque attached to a stone monument near the road.
"That parcel is subject to our commercial covenant."
Marcus shook his head.
"It isn't."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"I am the president of Oak Valley Homeowners Association."
"I know."
"Then you know who you're dealing with."
Marcus looked directly into her sunglasses.
"I know exactly who I'm dealing with."
A customer near pump three quietly lifted his phone.
Victoria noticed.
Her posture immediately changed.
She raised her voice.
"This man has illegally taken possession of an abandoned property!"
Marcus almost smiled.
"Abandoned?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
He opened his portfolio.
Victoria glanced at it.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for something."
Marcus removed a document.
"Here."
She didn't take it.
"What is that?"
"The deed."
Victoria crossed her arms.
"I don't need to see it."
"You should."
"I know this neighborhood better than you do."
Marcus folded the paper again.
"Maybe."
Then he looked toward the security camera above the store.
"But that camera knows something you don't."
Victoria's jaw tightened.
"What?"
"It recorded everything."
She glanced up.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in her expression.
Marcus calmly stepped away from the broken window.
"Call the police."
Victoria smiled.
"Oh, I already did."