Chapter 1

Thanksgiving Day, and the first thing I saw was an HOA email.

"Improperly parked vehicle," it said. My car. In my own deeded spot.

I paid good money for this condo, and even more for this prime parking spot right near the elevator.

Then I checked our community's Nextdoor group.

Kevin, a neighbor I barely knew, had posted.

"To the owner of the silver sedan in P2-34, that's been my spot. I've used it for months while your unit was empty for renovations. You need to move."

My unit was vacant because my wife, Sarah, and I were getting it redone, top to bottom. We just moved in last week.

"Months?" I muttered. The spot was legally mine.

I found his number and called.

"This is Alex from 3B. About the parking spot..."

"Yeah, you gonna move it?" Kevin's voice was rough, impatient.

"No, I'm not. It's my deeded spot. Check the condo docs."

"I've been using it. It's more convenient for me. My parents visit a lot."

"That's not really my problem, Kevin. It's my property."

"Look, just move it for tonight. It's Thanksgiving."

I laughed, a short, sharp sound. "You want to use my spot for Thanksgiving? Sure. Venmo me fifty bucks."

Silence. Then, "You're a real piece of work."

He hung up.

Sarah walked in, drying her hands. "What was that?"

"Neighbor thinks he owns my parking spot because he used it while we were renovating."

"Seriously? What did you tell him?"

"I told him to pay me if he wants to use it."

She raised an eyebrow. "Fifty bucks?"

"Yeah, well, happy Thanksgiving to him."

We tried to enjoy our dinner, just the two of us in our new, mostly unpacked condo. But the exchange left a bad taste.

The next morning, I went down to the garage.

A long, deep scratch ran along the driver's side door of my car.

Pure, cold anger.

I went straight to the HOA manager's office. A tired-looking woman named Brenda.

"My car was vandalized in my spot, P2-34. I need to see the security footage."

Brenda sighed, shuffling papers. "Ah, yes, Mr. Henderson. That's very unfortunate."

She typed on her computer. "Hmm. It seems the camera covering that particular section of P2 was... offline for routine holiday maintenance."

"Maintenance? On Thanksgiving night into the next morning?"

"Yes, unfortunately. Bad timing."

I stared at her. "You're telling me there's no footage?"

"I'm afraid not for that specific camera, for that specific time."

I knew it was Kevin. I just couldn't prove it.

"This is unacceptable, Brenda."

"I understand your frustration, Mr. Henderson. We'll file a report."

A useless piece of paper.

I walked out, my hands clenched.

This wasn't just about a parking spot anymore.