The locksmith stepped up to Ethan’s cedar gate, raising his power saw to cut through the iron deadbolt.
“STOP THE WORK IMMEDIATELY! EVERYBODY HANDS OFF THAT GATE!”
A sharp, authoritative voice echoed across the lawn.
A sleek black sedan screeched to a halt behind the police cruisers, followed immediately by an unmarked SUV bearing state law enforcement emblems.
Claire Jenkins stepped out of the sedan, holding a thick red folder. Behind her stepped Special Agent Sarah Miller from the State Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit, accompanied by two armed State Troopers.
Daniel Voss froze, his hand still on his belt, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What is the meaning of this? This is a local municipal enforcement action—”
“Sergeant Voss, unhand Mr. Walker and step away from that vehicle right now,” Agent Miller ordered, pulling out a state warrant. “We are executing a State Superior Court emergency injunction staying all actions on this property.”
Karen’s face went dead white. “Injunction? On what grounds?! I am the HOA President! We have an easement!”
“You had a forged document, Mrs. Voss,” Claire Jenkins said stepping forward, opening her folder to reveal high-resolution forensic analysis reports. “Two hours ago, a state forensic handwriting expert confirmed that the 1994 easement document filed with the county clerk was an absolute forgery created using digital signature cloning.”