“However, the legal zoning of this corridor changed, and his property is out of compliance.

That is hardly my fault.”

“You could have spoken to him directly like a decent neighbor instead of filing papers behind his back,” I said.

“I have no need to negotiate personal terms when the county provides formal code enforcement,” Chad stated cleanly.

“He offered you fresh strawberries back in June,” I reminded him, my voice trembling.

“He walked over to your fence to share berries that my mother planted before she passed away, and you dismissed him completely.”

Chad’s jaw tightened slightly.