Susan Blake sat at the end of the board table.
She looked at Vanessa.
“Mrs. Caldwell, I need to ask you several questions.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Fine.”
“After receiving written instruction from counsel not to authorize removal outside the confirmed association boundary without owner consent, why did you authorize the contractor to remove Mr. Mercer’s trees?”
Vanessa looked at the screen.
“The historical maintenance pattern supported our position.”
Susan remained still.
“Did you have written owner consent?”
“No.”
“Did you have a recorded scenic easement?”
“We believed—”
“That was not my question.”
Vanessa’s jaw tightened.
“No.”
“Vegetation easement?”
“No.”
“Maintenance easement covering those trees?”
“No.”
“Court order?”
“No.”
“Written legal opinion saying Silver Ridge owned the work area?”
Silence.
“No.”
Susan nodded.
“Did the board authorize you to represent to the contractor that Silver Ridge owned or controlled Mr. Mercer’s parcel?”
Vanessa looked toward Martin.
Martin did not rescue her.
“No.”
“Thank you.”
Vanessa immediately pointed toward the projected image of my fabrication building.
“And what about what he did?”
Susan closed her eyes briefly.
“The building permit predates the tree removal.”
“He did not have to build it.”
I stood.
“No.”