The Condo Board: Power Can Go Too Far

By David H. Brown

Anyone living in a gated community or in a condominium property knows there is an elected board of directors. They wield a lot of power and spend the residents' money - wisely or not. Acrimony often sets in. The board in this novel is no different. There is skullduggery, innocence, pathos, trust and mistrust. The president of the board is conflicted, and disappears. This introduces the subplot. All come together in an exciting way, but the ending is a surprise because there is not any hint of it.

Readers may well identify with the fictitious board. The author and his wife live in two different residences that have condo boards. One in Florida is a house in a gated community. The other is an apartment in a high-rise building in a Washington, DC suburb.

This unique novel was sparked by personal observation, plus comments from others who live in similar communities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728333687

David H. Brown

David H. Brown was an Ohio newspaper reporter for nearly 15 years before beginning a 24-year career as a government public information officer. After retiring in 1991, he became an adjunct professor of speech and began writing books, fiction and non-fiction. Mr. Brown’s bachelor’s degree is in journalism; his masters is in public relations. He has been a public speaker for more than half a century.

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© 2019 David H. Brown. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  11/18/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3369-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3367-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3368-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019917279

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

1. Heavy Hangs The Head That Wears The Crown – Henry IV

2. Earlier That Evening …

3. Out of the Night and Into Daylight

4. Bad News Travels Fast

5. Getting Nowhere

6. Taken for a Ride

7. The Unruly Meeting

8. Settling In

9. Something Is Wrong

10. The Usual/Unusual Prospects

11. Food for Thought

12. Official Business

13. Cabin Fever

14. The Mary-Go-Round

15. The Nightmare That Was Reality

16. What’s New(s)?

17. You’ve Got to Be Kidding!

18. Par for The Course

19. Hush, hush

20. Elective Courses

21. Three of a Kind

22. The Big Picture Gets Enlarged

23. The Secret

24. Good News, Bad News

25. Plans of His Own

26. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

27. Three Months Earlier

28. Power Corrupts

29. Tyler’s Next-to-Last Board Meeting

30. Oh, Say Can You OC?

31. Swept Under the Rug

32. Now Voyager

33. The Plot Thickens

34. As The (Financial) World Turns

35. Maybe Yes, Maybe No

36. Surprise! Surprise!

37. The Double-Cross, Fontana Style

38. Something’s Rotten, But It’s Not In Denmark

39. Round and Round It Goes, But Where It Stops, No One Knows

40. Filling In Some Blanks

41. Revenge Isn’t Always So Sweet

42. Revelations

43. Hell Hath No Fury …

44. The (FFF)ix Is In

45. Points Of (Law And) Order

46. The Best Laid Plans Oft Go Awry

47. The Defecation Collides With The Oscillator

48. Initial Reaction

49. House of Cards

50. True Confessions

51. Copping A Plea

52. The Knot Tightens

53. A Second Act

54. Dots Are Connected

55. Inter-Connected

56. Saving Grace

57. Q&A

58. A Sea Of Trouble

59. Book Ends

60. My Kingdom For A Clue

61. You Can Bank On It

62. He Said, She Said

63. On The Right Track

64. La Fine

OTHER BOOKS BY

David H. Brown

Nonfiction:

◊ I Would Rather Be Audited By The IRS Than Give a Speech

◊ Airline Passenger Screening Has Become A FEMA-Type Snafu

◊ Full Body Scam: The Naked View of Current Airport Security

◊ Nine/Eleven

Fiction

◊ Operation Red Herring

◊ The Decoration/Memorial Day War

◊ Murder at 250 Center Street

◊ Next in Line To The Oval Office

◊ Air Force One Has Vanished

Memoir

◊ Life Is Just A Bowl of Memories

ABOUT THE BOOK

There is a legal difference between a condominium community and a home-owners association. This book is only about the former.

Boards of directors of any association are a collection of personalities. Sometimes they get along well; other times, such as in this book, they clash. You will find twists and turns as the plot develops.

There are a series of nefarious things going on. There are four murders, one of which is cruel. There is an international angle. There are double-crosses doubled. There is heroism on several levels.

A novel, by definition, is fiction. Some of the situations in the book are based on real events.

To get to know the author, turn to the back cover when you are finished reading.

CHAPTER ONE

Heavy Hangs The Head That Wears The Crown – Henry IV

W hen Tyler West left the monthly meeting of the Fontana di Trevi Country Club and Residences governing board meeting on Thursday night, his already thin body frame was stooped more than usual because of his arthritis. That is why he relied more and more on his cane.

He had been president for the past 10 years. In his mind, this was the worst session of all.

As he entered his condo building, his finger had trouble finding the elevator’s up button. Once inside, even though the doors had closed, he hesitated before pushing the button for the 5th floor. When the elevator arrived, he again hesitated as the doors reopened. After taking a deep breath, he walked out, turned to his right, and slowly made his way to Apartment 500 at the end of the hall.

The answering machine indicated a call from Francine, his wife of 45 years. Since their separation six months ago, she was living with her widowed twin sister, Franny, in another building of the complex. She always called after a board meeting. The first thing she noticed when he returned her call was a quiver in his voice. She could not see his body shaking, but she was shocked when she heard him begin to cry. He sometimes had been upset after a board meeting, but this was a first.

I’m sorry, Francine, I’m so sorry, he sobbed. Click!

She quickly redialed his number, but there was a busy signal. She did not have any way of knowing he deliberately left the phone off the hook.

Franny, something’s wrong, Francine said. I’m going over to see what is going on. Her sister added, I’ll come with you.

When they arrived at Condominio Uno, they ignored the lobby desk attendant and quickly took the elevator to the 5th floor. Francine already had taken the spare key out of her purse and unlocked the door.

Tyler! she called out. Tyler, where are you?!

When there was not any response, Francine unlocked the door with her key, and she and Franny began going from room to room.

Nothing here, they kept calling out.

When Francine got to the bedroom, she noticed his closet sliding door was open. She looked inside, and at first she did not find anything out of place. Then, she suddenly realized something was missing – the dopp kit he bought for occasional overnight trips.

Franny, she called out. Come here. There’s something strange.

She pointed out the missing article, and then went into the bathroom to check the section of the double-sink vanity he used.

Yes, Francine finally said. His medications are gone. What . …?"

I don’t get it, Franny responded. Why would his dopp kit and the 90-day meds he just got be gone, but nothing else?

They looked at each other for a moment, and then Franny said, We haven’t looked in his office yet. They had made the third bedroom into an office both shared.

Francine noticed Tyler’s computer screen was on, and indicated there was one message. She typed in his password (they shared each other’s), and an email popped up. It was a reply to his inquiry about the status of a life insurance policy they co-owned. The time stamp indicated Tyler had sent this email that evening after the board meeting.

She showed the email to her sister, who asked, Why in the world would he be asking for that kind of information? Did you know anything about this?

Francine shook her head. And then, her eyes grew wide. I wonder if the lobby desk attendant saw Tyler come or go this evening.

She dialed the lobby desk. Yes, Mrs. West, Fred answered, looking at his caller ID. Can I help you?

Did you see my husband come into the building this evening from the board meeting? she asked.

Oh, yes, of course I did, he began. Funny thing, Mrs. West, but he never even said hello, which he usually did. He looked like he had something on his mind.

By any chance, did you see him leave the building? she asked No, can’t say I did, he answered.

When Francine told her sister what Fred had said, Franny mused for a moment, and then asked, Couldn’t he have gone out without Fred having seen him?

Francine looked puzzled. What do you mean? she asked.

Her sister replied, The only way he could have left the building without passing the lobby desk was if he …

Francine finished the sentence, . . . took the elevator down to the garage. Let’s go there.

Once the elevator door to the first level of underground parking opened, they headed for his reserved parking space. His car was gone.

They slowly returned to the apartment without speaking.

Finally, Franny said, Maybe you should call Mary Armstead. Tyler depended on his first vice president when it came to board business. Maybe he said something to her at the meeting, or she said something to him.

Francine thought for a moment, and then commented, I know there was a lot of mutual trust between them. She quickly dialed the Mary’s number.

Mary, she began, I have a sensitive question to ask you. Can you talk without being overheard?

Is everything OK? she answered.

That’s why I’m calling, Francine responded.

Wait a sec while I walk to another room, Mary replied. A moment later, she asked, What’s going on?

Mary, she began, you have to promise me this conversation will not be repeated to anyone!

You’re scaring me! Mary responded. Sure. My lips are sealed!

Francine took a deep breath before saying hesitatingly, I got a disturbing, and very short, call from Tyler after the board meeting. Franny and I are at the apartment now, and he is nowhere to be found. The dopp kit he used to take on short trips is missing, and his car is gone from the reserved parking space.

She started to cry, and Mary waited a short time before responding, I don’t know what to say, except this. The meeting was the rowdiest I ever sat through. There was some harsh language during the session, but Tyler did not respond to any of it. I’d rather not go into any further details just now, and I hope you respect that. She purposely did not mention the closed-door, but improper, executive session Tyler held before the regular meeting.

Francine did not say anything at first, and then responded, Well, maybe he went for a drive to let off some steam. But he never took a walk at night. The more I think of it, the more I think we should wait until morning. I’ll let you know once we hear something. And, if by any chance he calls you, please call me.

Absolutely, Mary said. No use speculating.

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Mary’s phone awoke her in the middle of a sound sleep. She looked at her bedside clock, which read 2:00 a.m.

Are you Mary Armstead? the caller asked.

Yes. Who is this? Mary replied sleepily.

This is the security office at the airport, he began. One of our officers was doing a routine check of the parking area a sort time ago when he noticed a parked car with its headlights still on, and a note in the window with your name and phone number.

Mary thought for a moment before responding, Was there any message on the note, or just my phone number? And, please describe the car and its license tag.

Ma’am, he began, there wasn’t any message. The car doors were locked, and no one was inside. But, since the lights were on, that suggests to me the driver wanted someone to see the car. He then described the vehicle and its tag. It was Tyler’s.

After Mary finished the call, she was about to dial Tyler’s number when she realized Francine was probably back in her own apartment. She found the number.

When Francine got on the phone, Mary repeated what she had learned. At first, she was annoyed that Tyler had left Mary’s number, and not hers. But then, she was more focused on trying to make sense of what was discovered.

Mary, she finally said, rubbing her sleepy eyes, did Tyler ever say anything to you about taking a flight?

I thought he hated to fly, she answered.

He never used to mind it, but lately he said he did not want to take airplane trips since he read about a recent crash, Francine explained. I just can’t make any sense of this.

Me neither, Mary replied. I guess there’s not much we can do now. Try to get some sleep, and we’ll talk later. Would you and Franny like to come to my apartment for breakfast? The company would be welcome.

Francine remembered the nasty divorce Mary had gone through years ago, and agreed to the offer.

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The three women sat silently as they sipped coffee. Then, Francine said, Maybe we should go through the papers in his file cabinet. There’s also a locked safe, but I’m sorry to say I don’t remember the combination. Tyler wrote it down somewhere in case I forgot. I can check his computer, but I know he has a number of email addresses. I only know the one password he sometimes asks me to check for him. And, I have my own, of course. Mary, if you don’t mind, Franny and I will do that together. We’ll let you know if we find anything.

Mary smiled, and responded, I’m not offended. There may be some very personal things you will find. I’d like to check around with other board members, but not just yet.

Good thought, Francine replied. "Franny and I better drive out to the airport to pick up his car. I’ve got a set of spare keys

I hate to say this, and I hope you understand, but the police may want to check out the car, Mary commented. I’m not suggesting foul play or anything like that. However, at some point you should expect the police to get involved if he does not show up in a day or two. I’m assuming that until you decide to file a missing person’s report, the police may not act until then. And, of course, once that is done, word may get out, and that could be unsettling to you.

Franny looked at her sister, who nodded in approval. Thank you, Mary, Francine said. That’s good advice. Maybe Tyler will show up, and the whole thing should stay with the three of us. Meanwhile, I don’t think it would hurt if we took a quick look inside the car.

The search did not reveal anything unusual. At her sister’s suggestion, Francine took a sleeping pill. As she was nodding off, three questions nagged at her:

(1) Why did Tyler disappear?

(2) Where is he?

(3) Why was the note addressed to Mary, but not her?

CHAPTER TWO

Earlier That Evening …

A s was his custom, Tyler West rapped his gavel three times to open the monthly meeting of the board.

Please come to order, he announced to the sparse crowd of condo owners. Will the secretary call the roll so we may determine whether there is a quorum?

Mr. West? Here.

Ms. Armstead? Here.

Mr. Sharansky? Here.

Mr. Manchester? Here.

Ms. O’Malley? "Here

Mr. Cindoni Here.

Mr. Martinez? Here.

Mr. president, there is a quorum.

Tyler coughed gently and said, I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda. It was made, seconded, and passed.

As is our custom, he began, the board will allow comments from the floor, but only concerning items not on the agenda.

That was when all hell broke loose.

CHAPTER THREE

Out of the Night and Into Daylight

W hen the clubhouse was being built, large construction equipment used a back road to enter and leave. Now, it remained unused. A high fence guarded that area, with a locked gate. When security officers used their golf carts to patrol the area, they would stop and check the lock every evening at 8 p.m. and again at 4 a.m. No patrolling was done during daylight hours.

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A dark-colored sedan with tinted side windows quietly pulled up outside of that gate at 10 p.m. Almost at the same time, Tyler’s car arrived. He flashed his left turn signal three times. The waiting car did the same. Tyler shifted into Park, got out of his car, and produced a key to unlock the gate. He returned to his car, shifted into Drive and slowly drove out before stopping. He again got out of his car and relocked the gate. Once he started to drive away, the waiting car followed.

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Tyler’s car turned into the farthest parking lot from the airline terminal. After getting a parking card from the automated machine, he found a spot close to the entrance. Once parked, he did as told – left the headlights on. He then walked back to where the other vehicle had stopped outside of the entrance. Once he got into the passenger seat and buckled up, the vehicle quickly turned in a direction away from the terminal and picked up speed as it disappeared into the darkness.

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Francine decided she could not wait the usual 48 hours to report a missing husband, even though they lived apart. Franny and Mary agreed.

The call was routed to Detective Sergeant Vince Thackery. He listened patiently as Francine described what had happened. He was about to suggest a further wait when she mentioned that Tyler’s car lights were still on in the airport parking lot. That intrigued him.

Are they still on? he asked.

Francine was flustered. I’m sorry, but I never went there to find out.

Did you remove anything from the car? the sergeant persisted.

She hesitated, and then replied, I’m sorry, but I never saw the car. I only can tell you what I heard from the airport security office.

He motioned to Lieutenant Harry Rasmussen to come over. Hang on just a minute, Mrs. West, he said. He quickly explained what she had told him. I’ll get someone at the security office, the lieutenant said. Keep her talking.

Rasmussen found the telephone number and quickly dialed. When the call was answered, he explained what was going on, and then said, I’d like a full report as quickly as possible. Also, I want to know whether the officer who found the vehicle touched it. I suggest you get someone over there as soon as possible and make sure no one touches the car, even to turn off the head lights. It could be a crime scene.

He went back to Thackery, who by then had finished talking with Francine. Go ahead and list this as an official missing person inquiry, he said. Meanwhile, send someone over to the parking lot to check in with a security person who is watching the vehicle. Report back to me as soon as possible.

The sergeant wondered why his superior took such an interest in a case. He would later find out his father in-law, Sherman Cindoni, lived at the complex, but did not know he was on the board. The sergeant called Francine and asked if she might have a spare set of car keys. Yes, she did. A detective will stop by and pick them up, with your permission, he said. She agreed.

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Sergeant Thackery met up with Airport Security Corporal Vance Williams. Let’s forget about jurisdiction, he began. I’ve got a set of keys. Both men put on a set of surgical-type gloves. While the detective began to unlock the driver-side door, Williams slowly circled around the car until he got to the passenger side.

Thackery carefully opened the car door. I don’t smell anything, he said. He unlocked the other doors, and Williams opened both on his side of the car.

The first thing Thackery did was turn off the headlights, being careful not to smudge the knob. There was no key in the ignition. Both then began a slow and careful search of the interior. Williams opened the glove compartment and slowly took out its contents. He made a note of them. So far, nothing was out of the ordinary. Thackery popped the trunk open, and Williams looked inside. Nothin’ but the usual stuff, he commented.

The two were about to radio their individual offices when Thackery realized he had not checked out the sun visor. That is where he found the entry card with the time stamp. Now he knew when the car arrived. But, who drove it there? Was it Tyler, or someone else?

By now, a police forensic specialist had arrived, and the two officers left.

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After Thackery gave his report to Rasmussen, the lieutenant called Francine and went over what he had been told. The good news is that we cannot find any evidence of foul play, he assured her, explaining that forensic conclusions were not in yet.

Was your husband planning a trip? he asked.

No, she quickly replied.

He thought for a moment before posing the next question: I do not mean to be offensive, Mrs. West, but … was your husband … forgetful?

Not even pausing, she responded, I assume you find it odd that the headlights were still on. No, I’m not offended. I know you are trying to do your job. And, no, he was not forgetful.

We could use a photograph of him, he said. She immediately responded, I’ll fax one over to you within the hour, if you’ll give me the number.

The lieutenant thanked her, and she thanked him. He promised to keep in touch.

After the call, he turned to Thackery and said, Check all flights going out that night – and maybe even in the morning. As soon as I get the photo, ask the security people to make copies and circulate them. There’s just something that does not fit here. But, we know when he got to the airport … Wait a second! How did he get to the terminal from the parking lot? Ask security to check with bus drivers around that time. They must have 24/7 service.

Should we … the sergeant hesitated, should we look into the marital situation?

I guess it wouldn’t hurt, the lieutenant agreed.

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When Thackery reported to Rasmussen about the arrangement Tyler and Francine had, the lieutenant responded, I thought this would be a slam-dunk case. Now I really have a gut feeling that something unusual is going on.

Just them, the sergeant’s phone rang. You’re not going to like it, he began, but not one bus driver picked up the missing man.

Shit! the lieutenant snorted.

CHAPTER FOUR

Bad News Travels Fast

T he Saturday morning ritual with a group of six golfers was to have breakfast in a small room off the main dining room, and then try to play 18 holes. Some could only make the first 9. Tyler had been a more than average golfer in earlier days, but now he would sit in one of the golf carts and take care of the score cards. It was a standing joke that they managed to break par, thanks to Tyler’s method of score keeping.

But Tyler was not at breakfast that morning. Each asked the other whether he overslept, which he had done more and more lately. One used his cellphone to punch in Tyler’s number. No answer. He tried several times before scrolling to Francine’s number. That is when they discovered that Tyler was missing. Each golfer quickly phoned their wives.

Rumors quickly circulated throughout the units faster than butter melts in a hot frying pan. As expected, one had Tyler and Francine talking about a divorce. Another had them getting back together. A third was that Tyler suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.

Of course, no one bothered to check with Francine. But, when the desk person whispered to one of the unit owners that a police detective just went up to her apartment, the rumors went ballistic. Was Francine being arrested? Did she murder Tyler?

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Mrs. West, Thackery began, are any of your husband’s – I’m sorry – I mean are any of Mr. West’s clothes or toiletries missing? Franny quickly answered, Just his dopp kit.

Had Mr. West been planning a trip for any reason? he asked.

This time Francine replied, "No. In fact, his back has become so bad that he said he would not be able to take a vacation we were considering because it would mean