“What about him?”
“Multiple residents have reported aggressive behavior.”
Denise appeared.
“That’s impossible.”
Judith looked past Franklin.
“Your German Shepherd has been barking and lunging at residents.”
“He hasn’t barked all morning.”
Ed shifted his weight.
Judith looked toward him.
“Ed?”
Ed cleared his throat.
“I heard barking.”
Denise stared at him.
“When?”
Ed looked at Judith.
“Earlier.”
“How many times?”
He hesitated.
“A few.”
Franklin watched him.
The man would not make eye contact.
Judith continued.
“German Shepherds may also exceed our permitted weight standard.”
“There is no breed ban in the recorded restrictions,” Franklin said.
“There are supplemental policies.”
“Provide them.”
“I will.”
“Good.”
Judith stepped closer to the sidelight window beside the door.
Through the glass, Bruno lifted his head.
“Mrs. Pennington,” Franklin said.
She ignored him.
She leaned toward the glass.
Bruno stood.
His ears came forward.
Judith tapped the pane.
The dog barked once.
A single sharp warning bark.
Judith jerked backward.
Her heel caught the edge of the bottom step.
She lost balance.
Her phone flew from her hand.
She landed hard on one knee.
Denise gasped.
Franklin instinctively leaned forward but stopped before stepping toward her.
Judith stared at him from the walkway.
Then something changed in her expression.
The surprise became calculation.
“He attacked me!”
Franklin looked through the closed glass door at Bruno.
“The dog is inside.”
“He lunged at me.”
“Through a closed door?”
Judith turned toward the neighbors.
“You saw that.”
Nobody answered.
She pushed herself upright.
“You shoved me.”
Franklin froze.
Denise stared at her.
“What?”
Judith pointed at Franklin.
“He shoved me off the steps.”
“I never touched you.”
“You came at me.”
“No.”
Ed looked terrified.
Judith turned to him.
“You saw it.”
Ed swallowed.
“Judith—”
“You saw him push me.”
Everyone knew the truth.
Franklin had been several feet away.
He had not taken one step.
Ed knew it.
Marilyn knew it.
Harold knew it.
Denise knew it.
Judith looked directly at Ed.
For years, Ed had served on HOA committees she controlled.
He had received favors.
Fast architectural approvals.
A variance for a shed.
A quietly waived landscaping fine.
Judith waited.
Ed looked at Franklin.
Then at the ground.
“I saw something.”
Denise stepped forward.
“That is not an answer.”
Ed’s face reddened.
“It looked like he pushed her.”
Denise inhaled sharply.
Franklin touched her arm.
“Don’t.”
“But he’s lying.”