"What's going on here, Lawson?" he asked, measured but curious.
I gestured toward her. "Caught the HOA president in my living room uninvited. Max kept her from leaving until I got back."
Daniels' eyebrow arched. "That true, ma'am?"
Karen immediately launched into her performance. "Officer, thank goodness you're here! This man's dog is dangerous! It trapped me, wouldn't let me leave! I was just conducting an inspection and he set it on me!"
Daniels glanced at Max, who sat calmly, tail thumping once against the floor like he knew exactly what was happening. Then he looked back at her. "An inspection? In his living room?"
She faltered. "Yes! As HOA president, I have authority—"
"No, you don't," Daniels cut her off flatly. "You have no right to enter a private residence without consent. That's trespassing."
The crowd outside erupted in low murmurs, some laughing, some cheering quietly. Phones zoomed closer on Karen's mortified face. Her lips quivered.
"I... I was only trying to uphold standards! He's been violating rules—"
And I raised the folder I'd been keeping: every letter, every fine, every ridiculous notice. "You mean these standards? The ones you've been inventing to harass me? Because I've got a whole file ready for anyone who wants to see how far you've abused your position."
Daniels reached out, took the folder, and flipped through the stack. His brow furrowed deeper with each page. "This is excessive," he muttered. Then louder: "Ma'am, I'm going to need you to step outside with us."
Karen's jaw dropped. "You can't treat me like a criminal!"
"You broke into his house," Daniels replied simply. "That makes you one."
Neighbors gasped, some clapped. A few even shouted things like, "About time!" and "Justice!"