Then resale.
Average profit:
Approximately $192,000 per property.
Wynn looked at me.
“They’re squeezing residents.”
“Yes.”
“Fines create pressure.”
“Yes.”
“The pressure creates distress.”
“Yes.”
“Then Whit’s company buys the property.”
I leaned back.
“And the vehicles?”
“Possibly part of the same pressure system.”
She turned another page.
The Community Standards Committee consisted of Vance Lockwood, Reno Tarver, and Dixon Boudry.
None held a state inspection credential relevant to the powers they claimed.
Residents had nevertheless allowed them inside garages, crawl spaces, rear yards, and in two cases the interior of homes because Hadley told them HOA rules required access.
One elderly homeowner told Wynn he had not wanted them inside.
“He said Hadley told him refusal would add another five hundred dollars to his balance.”
I looked at the wall behind my desk.
A photograph of Marguerite sat there.
Taken in Savannah.
Wind in her hair.
She hated the photograph because she said her glasses were crooked.
I loved it because she was laughing.
Wynn closed the folder.
Neither of us spoke for several seconds.
Then I said:
“Let’s catch them all.”
Wynn nodded once.
“Then you need out of the investigative chain now.”
“I agree.”
“I’m moving this to Major Crimes.”
“Bring Bramwell.”
“DA?”
“Yes.”
“Sheriff?”
“Eventually.”
She gathered the papers.
At the door, she paused.
“Chief?”
“Yes?”
“Hadley really doesn’t know what you do?”
“No.”
Wynn considered that.
“Good.”
Detective Holt Bramwell sat in the conference room at 5:30 that afternoon.
Coffee in one hand.
Manila folder in the other.
Holt was thirty-eight, former Georgia Army National Guard, ten years with Cederville, the kind of detective who could sit through a four-hour interview without revealing whether he believed a single word.
Wynn presented the financial pattern.
Vehicle cases.
The notary.
My fines.
The inspection attempt.
The forged-looking attorney letter.
Tate’s account of Bryson’s statement.
When she finished, Bramwell looked at me.
“Chief, with respect, you’re done.”
“I know.”
“You’re a victim and witness.”
“Yes.”
“No directing searches.”
“Yes.”
“No arrest decisions.”
“Yes.”
“No choosing charges.”
“I understand.”
“Then I’m taking the case.”
“That’s why you’re here.”
Holt nodded.
“I want Forsyth County involved.”
“Agreed.”
“The Lockwood commercial operation crosses our city boundary.”
“Yes.”
“I want the district attorney involved before we start asking for search warrants.”
“Good.”
“And I want one clean documented attempt by Hadley to execute the vehicle scheme against you.”
I looked at him.
“What do you need from me?”