“I am.”
She sent a formal letter to the HOA.
That was when Brenda’s behavior changed.
No more direct emails.
No more polite knocks.
Instead, Darren’s SUV appeared more often.
Once at six in the morning.
Once near midnight.
I documented every appearance.
Then the anonymous calls started.
Blocked number.
No message.
Three in one week.
I suspected harassment but could not prove it.
The board president stopped responding.
That bothered me too.
I wondered whether Charles was scared of Brenda.
Controlled by her.
Or simply hoping everything would disappear.
Then came the day before the gun.
A typed envelope appeared under my doormat.
YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLY.
SECURITY ENFORCEMENT WILL OCCUR TOMORROW.
I called Laura.
She told me to notify police non emergency.
I did.
An officer took the report.
He explained that unless somebody threatened me directly or tried to enter, the note itself was vague.
