Sarah opened the interior door but kept the storm door closed.
“What are you doing?”
Karen raised the paper.
“This property has been placed under temporary occupancy hold pending verification.”
“The board told you to stop contacting us.”
“The board cannot prevent emergency compliance action.”
“There is no emergency.”
“You have repeatedly denied access.”
“Because you have no right to enter.”
Karen turned toward the contractor.
“Proceed.”
Sarah’s stomach tightened.
“Do not touch my door.”
“No one is entering. The property is being secured until management verifies occupancy.”
“We are standing inside it.”
“Then remain inside until verification is complete.”
Sarah stared.
“Are you serious?”
“This should take less than an hour if you cooperate.”
The contractor looked uncomfortable but accepted the work order.
He began attaching hardware to the exterior storm door.
Sarah tried the handle.
The door would no longer open.
At the rear of the house, Linda tried the patio.
The gate outside had also been secured.
“Sarah!”
Sarah turned toward Karen.
“You locked us inside.”
“You are temporarily restricted from altering the property until an authorized occupancy review is complete.”
Sarah raised her phone.
“I’m calling the police.”
Karen shrugged.
“You’re free to call whoever you like.”
At that exact moment, a rideshare sedan turned onto Cedar Vale Drive.
Owen Carter sat in the back with a duffel bag between his boots.
He saw the contractor truck first.
Then Karen on the porch.
Then his wife behind the glass pounding on a door she could not open.
The rideshare barely stopped before Owen was out.
He dropped the duffel bag on the sidewalk.
“What is going on?”
Karen turned.
The color disappeared from her face.
“Owen?”
He walked toward the porch.
“Why is my wife locked inside my house?”
The contractor stood.
“Sir, I was told this property was under HOA occupancy hold.”
Owen kept his eyes on Karen.
“Open the door.”
“Your return was not documented.”
“My return is not the issue. Open my door.”
“There is an active compliance process.”
“You locked my wife and mother inside.”
“No one is being detained.”
Sarah struck the storm door with her hand.
“I cannot open it.”
Owen’s voice stayed level.
“Open it. Now.”
The contractor moved toward the hardware case.
Karen raised her hand.
“Wait.”
Owen turned toward him.
“Don’t wait. Take it off.”
The contractor nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
Karen stepped between them.
“This is an HOA-authorized action.”
“Authorized by who?”
“As president, I have emergency compliance authority.”
“Show me the rule allowing you to lock residents inside their own home.”
“Your property has been in unresolved occupancy status throughout deployment.”
Owen laughed once.
“You stamped the packet yourself.”
Karen stopped.
“What?”