Then she put a photograph of Elijah’s Mustang on the screen.

“Some people,” she said, “move into an established community and immediately expect everyone to accommodate their personal displays.”

Several residents looked back at Elijah.

He raised his hand. “Can you identify which bylaw prohibits this car?”

“This isn’t a courtroom, Mr. Grant.”

“I didn’t suggest it was. I asked for the rule.”

Vivien changed slides.

Sandra stood. “I’d like an answer, too. If we’re going to fine people, we should be able to show them what they violated.”

Vivien’s smile tightened. “Mrs. Mills, let’s not make this personal.”

“You put his personal vehicle on a projector.”

Someone near the back laughed. Others began asking about their own fines. A woman named Marlene Ellis wanted to know why her late fees had doubled without notice. A landscaper complained that his truck had been towed from his own driveway during a repair job. A young father asked who had authorized Sterling Asset Recovery to enter the gated streets after midnight.

Vivien declared the meeting out of order.

Gregory, sitting in the back, did not join the argument. Instead, he watched Elijah with the focused interest of a man evaluating an unfamiliar problem.

Afterward, when people had gathered near the coffee machine, Gregory approached him.

“You have a way with an audience,” he said.

“I asked a straightforward question.”

“That’s usually how trouble begins.”

“For who?”

Gregory smiled. “Depends who owns the microphone.”

As he walked away, Elijah saw him exchange a quiet word with Vivien. She stopped fuming and looked toward the parking lot, where the blue Mustang gleamed beneath a floodlight.

Gregory took out his phone and photographed the rear license plate.

He never asked permission.

CHAPTER 6: THE SECOND REQUEST

On Saturday, Logan returned with two friends, Mason and Theo. Elijah was mowing the lawn when the boys cut across the driveway.

“We figured you might’ve changed your mind,” Logan called. “Just around the block.”

“I haven’t.”

Mason laughed, the nervous laugh of someone who expected the situation to be funny if the important person laughed first. Theo stayed near the curb and watched Elijah’s garage camera.

“My mom says you aren’t even the registered owner,” Logan said.

The lawn mower stopped.

Elijah lifted his head slowly. “What makes her say that?”

“She checked.”

“Checked what?”

“The paperwork. The license plate. Whatever. She says your name doesn’t match.”

The title transfer. The duplicate-record inquiry. Gregory’s strange questions.