Board chair Douglas Brennan opened his laptop and pressed play. First, the gate security footage. High angle. Wide shot. Timestamp in the corner.
Fletcher's Range Rover arriving. Craig's aggressive stance. The white couple waved through without a question. Dennis blocking the vehicle with the golf cart. Then the moment Victoria's Mercedes pulled up.
The camera caught her walking to the gate. Looking directly at Fletcher through his window. And choosing to say nothing. Douglas paused the footage. Then played Brenda's phone recording.
Closer. Sharper. With audio. Craig's voice. Victoria's voice.
The service comment. Brenda confronting Victoria about the welcome basket. Victoria's response. I send a lot of baskets. I can't be expected to remember every face.
The recording ended. Silence. Victoria, would you like to explain what we just watched? She straightened her scarf. It was a confusing situation.
I hadn't seen Mr. Owens in months. He was dressed casually. I wasn't sure it was him. Douglas laid a printed document across the table.
This is the welcome letter you personally signed and sent to the Owens family 18 months ago. He slid a second document. This is the resident list you approved and sent to Sentinel Shield 3 weeks ago. Page two. Fletcher Owens.
Photo included. Your signature on the cover page. Victoria looked down. Her lips parted. No sound.
Her fingers pressed flat against the wood. Her rings clicked softly on the table. She had no answer. Because there was no answer. Douglas called the vote.
Should Victoria Ashford be removed as HOA president? Eight in favor. One against. Victoria voted for herself. The only hand she had left.
The board then voted unanimously to terminate the Sentinel Shield contract entirely. Victoria stood, gathered her handbag, walked out without a word. The door clicked shut behind her. Nobody followed. That same night, Craig sat at his computer, furious.