Jack and I had just moved into a small rental house in a quiet neighborhood for a short-term work assignment. We were barely unpacked when our new neighbor, Lindsey, showed up with a tray of cookies and a bright smile. Her visit seemed friendly at first, but it quickly turned into a lecture about strict HOA rules — including a bizarre one that only allowed one car per driveway.

We politely explained our stay was temporary, but her smile never wavered as she insisted, “Rules apply to everyone.”

A few days later, we woke up to the sound of tow trucks outside. Both our cars were being hauled away, and Lindsey stood nearby watching with a satisfied grin. She had reported us to the HOA.

What she didn’t know was that our cars weren’t ordinary vehicles — they were connected to an important federal operation. Jack and I didn’t argue; instead, we calmly hinted that her actions carried serious consequences, leaving her confused and unsettled. The next morning, a black SUV pulled up in front of Lindsey’s house.

A suited federal agent stepped out, informed her that she had interfered with a sensitive investigation, and explained that her actions had caused a costly disruption. The color drained from her face as the weight of the situation sank in. As the agent left, we offered Lindsey a polite but pointed reminder: sometimes it’s best to focus on being a good neighbor rather than enforcing unnecessary rules.

From that day on, she kept her distance — and her cookies remained untouched on our counter, a reminder of a dramatic first week in the neighborhood.