represented farms, ranches, grain companies, and rural families for twenty years.
She could quote Missouri property statutes from memory.
More importantly, she loved documents.
Real ones.
She gave Bradley a polite smile.
“Good afternoon.”
He looked less pleased to see her.
“Rachel.”
“Bradley.”
That told me they knew each other.
She took the photocopied agreement.
Read the first page.
Second.
Third.
Then she laughed once.
Quietly.
Bradley frowned.
“What?”
Rachel pointed at the notary block.
“You filed this?”
“It predates my involvement.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
“The association provided it.”
“Has anyone recorded it?”
Bradley didn’t answer.
Rachel’s smile disappeared.
“Bradley.”
“I believe it was included in the association property records.”
“Recorded with the county?”
“We’re verifying.”
She handed the paper back.
“Verify quickly.”
Trish stepped forward.
“This agreement is valid.”
Rachel turned toward her.
“Mrs. Kessler, were you HOA president eight years ago?”
“No.”
“Board member?”
“No.”
“Resident?”
“No.”
“
