Hope mixed with the absolute certainty that justice is coming.
"So," I say, "when do we start destroying these people's lives?"
Roxanne's smile could power a small city.
"Mr. Forester, we already have."
The taste of mountain air through the office windows carries the scent of pine trees and incoming victory.
Somewhere in Denver, Vivian Ashworth is probably planning her next harassment campaign, completely unaware that her entire criminal enterprise is about to be dismantled by federal prosecutors and a guy whose family has been outsmarting bullies since 1923.
This is going to be fun.
Two weeks later, I'm watching the sunrise paint the mountains gold when the sound of helicopters breaks the morning silence.
Not the occasional medical transport or news chopper.
These are federal birds, black and serious, circling the valley like mechanical vultures.
By 8:00 a.m., Pine Ridge Estates looks like a federal crime scene.
FBI vehicles.
IRS Criminal Investigation vans.
EPA enforcement trucks.
And enough federal agents to invade a small country.
The smell of rotor wash mixes with mountain pine as helicopters ferry in evidence-recovery teams.
My phone starts buzzing with texts from neighbors.
Holy shit, Deck, what did you do?
FBI just arrested Viv at her house.
News vans everywhere. They're calling it the biggest HOA fraud case in Colorado history.
But the sweetest message comes from Earl at the county health department.
Deck, Wade Thornberry just got perp-walked out of the courthouse in federal handcuffs. Thought you'd want to know.
Wade Thornberry, the county commissioner who fast-tracked all those illegal permits.
Turns out Jake's investigation found a paper trail of bribes, kickbacks, and what the federal prosecutors are calling a conspiracy to defraud the United States government.
Mini twist.
While I'm watching the federal circus through binoculars, my trail cameras pick up something that makes me laugh out loud.
Rex Sterling, Viv's lawyer husband, is trying to sneak files out of their mansion's back door to a waiting car.
Problem is, the FBI has the place surrounded, and he's carrying boxes labeled Confidential Legal Files in broad daylight where every federal camera can record his obstruction of justice.
Amateur hour continues.
My phone rings.
Roxanne calling from what sounds like a war room full of federal agents.
"Deck, you're not going to believe this. The raid on Viv's house turned up evidence of fraud schemes in six states, not four. We're talking about a criminal enterprise that's been operating for over a decade."
"How bad?"
"Conservative estimate, 43 families defrauded, $18 million stolen, and enough RICO violations to keep federal prosecutors busy for the next five years."
Through my binoculars, I watch federal agents carrying computer hard drives, boxes of financial records, and what looks like enough evidence to stock a small library.