All of you. Voice cracks on the last word. She storms toward exit, stops inches from me. This isn't over, she whispers. I lean in slightly.
Yes, it is. And you did it to yourself. She leaves. Door slams hard enough to rattle the frame, sound echoing off linoleum like a gunshot. Nobody moves.
Then Mrs. Kowalski starts clapping. Brunellis join. Then everyone. Standing ovation shaking the walls, sound rolling like thunder. I don't smile.
Don't celebrate. Just nod once. Sit down. Through the window, Deandra's Audi peeling out, tires squealing on asphalt, leaving black marks on the parking lot she used to patrol like her personal kingdom. Sloan's camera caught everything.
She gives me a subtle thumbs up from the back. Gregory approaches, extends his hand. Thank you, I mean it. I should have done this 3 years ago. You did it when it counted, that's what matters.
The crowd's still buzzing, people comparing notes from binders, swapping stories about fines they'd paid, relief and anger mixing into something like community solidarity I hadn't seen since moving here. Rick Haverson claps my shoulder. Drinks on me tonight, man. Seriously. Mrs. Kowalski wheels over, grips my hand with surprising strength.
My husband would have liked you. He always said bullies fold when you stand up properly. He was right. Outside, sun's hitting the parking lot at that angle that makes everything look golden. Inside, people are voting to freeze HOA accounts pending audit, suspend all existing fines, hire independent management.
The tyranny's over. Now comes the healing. 4 weeks later, the pieces fall. Deandra faces eight counts, theft by deception, extortion, witness tampering, fraud. Prosecutor Chen files within 72 hours of seeing Marcus's evidence.
Deandra rejects the plea deal, still thinks she can talk her way out. Jury takes 4 hours to convict on six counts. Judge gives her 4 years, eligible for parole after 18 months. Her house sells fast to cover legal fees and restitution. I never see her again.
Jackson surprises me. Takes a plea, 18 months supervised probation, counseling, 3,200 restitution for the Harley, paid in installments from his warehouse job. 6 months in, he knocks on my door one evening. Won't meet my eyes. I'm sorry about your bike, everything.
My mom made me think that was okay, it wasn't. I study him. He's lost weight, looks tired from actual work instead of entitlement. You completing counseling? Yes, sir.
Twice a week. Good. Keep doing that. You've got time to turn this around. He might actually make it away from her influence.
Time will tell. Financial recovery takes longer. Forensic audit reveals 62,000 in fraud over 4 years. Deandra's frozen assets plus insurance means homeowners recover 70% after legal fees. Mrs. Kowalski gets her 3,400 in the first wave.