Evelyn cast the one vote against him.
Another notice arrived the following month accusing him of storing an “inoperable antique vehicle” outside the garage. The Camaro was fully operational.
Walter drove it to the hearing.
That violation disappeared too.
Then came a warning that “frequent engine noise” disturbed neighbors.
Walter asked for dates.
None were provided.
He asked for complainants.
Anonymous.
He asked whether anyone had measured noise levels.
No.
The board closed that complaint.
Walter started understanding the pattern.
Evelyn wanted the car gone.
He did not yet realize she wanted it specifically for Tyler.
That became obvious when Tyler apologized one afternoon.
“I think Mom’s trying to pressure you.”
Walter looked at him.
“Into selling?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you ask her to?”
“No.”
Tyler seemed embarrassed.
“I told her I wanted the Camaro. She said you don’t need two collector cars at your age.”
Walter glanced toward the detached garage where his 1972 Corvette sat.
“Apparently your mother has plans for my estate.”
Tyler laughed nervously.
“I told her to leave it alone.”
Walter believed him.
That mattered later.
The day Evelyn arrived with the forged bill of sale, Walter had spent most of the morning detailing the Camaro because he planned to drive it to a veterans’ charity show the following weekend. He never imagined the HOA president would appear carrying counterfeit paperwork.
Neither had Tyler.
That became clear at the police station.
Walter drove separately after securing the Camaro inside his garage. Evelyn and Tyler followed the patrol cars voluntarily because investigators needed statements and the disputed document had to be logged into evidence.
Detective Rosa Delgado handled the case.
She was forty-two, patient, and unimpressed by titles.
Walter appreciated that immediately.
“Chief Hayes.”
“Walter is fine for this.”
“Good.”
She looked toward him.
“Then you don’t get to investigate your own case.”
“I know.”
“You don’t call DMV investigators.”
“I know.”
“You don’t ask your people to run financials.”
“I know.”
Delgado smiled faintly.
“You really are a chief.”
“Unfortunately.”
She interviewed him first.
Walter explained the Camaro’s history, Tyler’s interest, Evelyn’s HOA complaints, and the road-repair petition containing his original signature.
“Any possibility you signed another document?”
“No.”
“Any oral agreement?”
“None.”
“Did you ever offer a specific sale price?”
“No.”
“Did Tyler ever give you money?”
“Never.”
“Deposit?”
“No.”
“Trade?”
“No.”
She nodded.
Then she interviewed Tyler.
Walter did not hear that conversation until much later.
Tyler initially insisted his mother told him the deal was legitimate. He said she presented the bill of sale three days earlier and told him Walter had finally decided to downsize. When he asked why Walter had not contacted him personally, Evelyn said Walter felt sentimental and preferred to avoid the conversation.
“Did you pay thirty-two thousand dollars?” Delgado asked.
“No.”
“Any money?”
“No.”
“Did your mother?”
“She said she handled it.”
“With whose money?”
Tyler hesitated.
“I assumed hers.”
“Why would she buy you a thirty-two-thousand-dollar car?”
“She said it was an early graduation gift.”
“Do you normally receive gifts like that?”
“No.”
“What was the most expensive gift she bought you before?”