Nolan looked toward Sophie’s bedroom window.
Her phone was visible behind the blinds.
Good.
“Name?”
The man’s jaw tightened.
“Wade Turner.”
Nolan pointed toward the other man.
“And him?”
“Brock Sutter.”
“Company?”
Wade removed a laminated card from his vest and held it up.
Same blue shield.
Same eagle.
COMMUNITY COMPLIANCE OFFICER.
No company name.
Nolan looked at it.
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Wade stepped toward the driveway.
Nolan raised one hand.
“Stay on the sidewalk.”
“We need photographs and physical access to the structure.”
“No.”
“You don’t get to deny an inspection.”
Nolan held up the management email.
“The people who actually manage the HOA disagree.”
Wade did not read it.
He told Nolan the compliance unit operated independently under community standards. Nolan asked for the board resolution creating that unit. Brock laughed and said residents usually became cooperative after receiving a second notice.
Nolan took out his phone.
“Then we can wait for the sheriff’s office.”
Both men changed slightly.
Not enough to look frightened.
Enough to notice.
Brock asked why police were necessary for a private association matter. Nolan answered, “Because two men dressed to look like enforcement officers are demanding entry onto my property after the actual HOA told me you don’t work for them.”
Wade lowered his voice.
“We’re not claiming to be police.”
“You used the word obstruction on the phone.”
“I didn’t call you.”
“You’re wearing ‘ENFORCEMENT’ on your chest.”
“That isn’t illegal.”
“Neither is refusing to let you in.”
Wade looked toward the cedar cabinet.
Then he looked toward the house.
“You have a daughter home?”
Nolan’s expression changed.
“How do you know that?”
Wade glanced toward the upstairs blinds.
Nolan stepped off the porch.
Not toward the men.
Onto his own driveway.
“You need to leave.”
Brock smiled.
“We’re trying to save you from escalating penalties.”
Nolan stopped.
“What penalties?”
“Daily compliance assessment.”
“Amount?”
“Starts at four hundred.”
“Paid to whom?”
Brock hesitated.
Wade answered.
“Community standards administration.”
Nolan nodded.
“Is that the HOA?”
Neither answered.
That was enough.
Nolan told them they had one minute to leave before he reported an attempted fraud along with the trespass complaint. Wade lifted the tablet and photographed the cabinet from the sidewalk anyway. Brock walked to the mailbox, removed an orange sticker from a folder, and started toward the driveway.
Nolan stepped between him and the property line.
“Try it.”