The small office in the brick strip mall smelled of old paper and cold coffee, a quiet place that felt miles away from the noise of Tyler’s backyard construction.

“The police will not arrest you, Joan,” Rachel said, her voice dry and steady.

“Property line disputes are civil matters.

If Tyler Bennett calls the non-emergency line, the dispatcher will tell him to hire a surveyor or a lawyer.”

“But he was so aggressive,” I said.

“He said I was trespassing.”

“He is trying to build a fence and a sixty-four thousand dollar pool before we can get a hearing,” Rachel said.

“It is a common tactic in real estate development.