I barked out a laugh. "Community standards? You broke into my house! That's not enforcement, that's a felony."
Her eyes flicked to the phone in her hand. She hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen.
"Go ahead," I said, leaning on the doorframe. "Call 911. Tell them you're the HOA president who just broke into a resident's house to inspect his furniture. Tell them the only thing keeping you from leaving is a loyal German Shepherd. Let's see how that works out for you."
Her jaw clenched so tight I thought her teeth might crack. She lowered the phone slowly, realizing I was right. She couldn't call, not without burying herself.
The minutes dragged on. The only sounds were Max's steady breathing and the muffled buzz of neighbors outside. I watched Karen unravel in real time: the way her shoulders sagged, the way her lipstick smile had long since disappeared.
Finally, she tried a new tactic: negotiation.
"Mr. Lawson," she began, forcing a sickly sweet tone. "Why don't we just forget about all this? No fines, no inspections. I'll stay out of your way if you stay out of mine."
I chuckled. "You're offering a deal after you broke into my house? You don't get to negotiate when you're already guilty."
Her eyes narrowed, venom returning. "You think you've won, but this isn't over. I have connections. I can make your life miserable."
"You already tried," I said. "And look where it got you."
Max suddenly stood, taking a single step closer. Karen squeaked and stumbled back into the coffee table. The clipboard slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. She was shaking now, cornered not by teeth or claws, but by her own arrogance finally collapsing.
"Stay," I told Max. And he froze in place, still blocking the door.
His discipline was perfect. That discipline, that control—that was what made him dangerous to her. She couldn't manipulate him, couldn't intimidate him. He wasn't swayed by titles or threats. To him, she was just an intruder, nothing more.
Outside, a neighbor shouted, "Should we call the police for you, Lawson?"