Photographs.
Vehicles.
Fletcher's face was on page two.
Next to a photograph of the same black Range Rover sitting in front of her.
Victoria knew.
Without question.
Without doubt.
She knew.
But she turned back toward Craig.
"Well, if he's not in the system, then you're doing the right thing, Craig. That's what we pay you for."
Then she looked toward Fletcher again.
A pleasant smile appeared.
The sort of smile that didn't reach the eyes.
"Sweetie, if there's been some kind of mix-up, maybe a delivery or a service call, I can point you toward the service entrance around back. It's just past the south wall."
Sweetie.
Service entrance.
The words landed slowly.
Fletcher studied her face.
Pearls.
Silk blouse.
Carefully blank expression.
Then he spoke.
Quiet.
No anger.
No raised voice.
"Mrs. Ashford, you know exactly who I am."
Victoria's smile twitched.
Only for a fraction of a second.
A tiny crack.
Then it reset.
"I'm sorry. I don't believe we've met."
She held Fletcher's gaze for one more second.
Then turned away.
Pressed a button.
Her window rose.
Conversation over.
Craig opened a side lane.
Victoria's Mercedes drove through.
She didn't look back.
The gate closed behind her.
Three minutes later, Brenda appeared.
On foot.
Walking quickly down the long, tree-lined road from inside Greystone.
Her sneakers hit the pavement hard.
Jaw set.
Eyes fixed on the gate.
She reached Craig and stopped directly in front of him.
"My name is Brenda Owens. I live at 1 Greystone Lane."
She pointed toward Fletcher.
"That man in the car is my husband. Open this gate now."
Craig looked at Brenda.
Then Fletcher.
Then back to Brenda.
He shifted his weight.
Didn't move toward the control.
Victoria had parked just inside the gate.
Now she stood on the sidewalk watching.
She stepped closer.
"Ma'am, let's all calm down. We have protocols here. We can't simply open the gate because someone walks up and says they live here."
Brenda stared at her.
"I'm not someone. I'm a resident."
She reached into her back pocket.
Pulled out her Greystone Estates resident badge.
Laminated.
Photograph.
Name clearly printed.
Brenda held it in front of Craig.
He took it.
Examined it.
Flipped it over.
Held it toward the light.
"This could be expired."
"It's not expired. The date is right there."
Craig handed it back.
Then looked toward Victoria.
Waiting for direction.
Victoria smoothed the front of her blazer.
"Let's not make a scene, shall we? We're all just trying to keep everyone safe."
Brenda turned toward her.
Her voice wasn't louder.
It was sharper.
"Victoria, you know my husband."
Victoria's expression stiffened.
"You sent us a welcome basket when we moved in 18 months ago."