Where we are: Sophie Marmot and her daughters woke up from hibernation to a clubhouse for their subdivision being built right over their burrow. Unable to stop construction on her own, Sophie has hired  an attorney, Java Gorilla, to help her. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Java has been granted an emergency order to stop construction on the clubhouse. He told Sophie and the girls that it was safe to stay in their burrow and that they should stay there so there would be no issue of abandonment. In the meantime, he sent out his ace evidence team, the Super Sleuth Snake Squad (S4) to see what they could find. He had requested a hearing in front of Judge Peter T Possum. Sophie was visiting his office.

Sophie: How are things looking, Java?

Java: Let me find out. Spencer, would you please come in here?

A very large prairie rattlesnake came in. Sophie was terrified. Java spoke up quickly.

Java: Don’t worry Sophie. He won’t hurt you. Spencer is my top investigator. He’s here to help you.

Spencer: Very pleased to meet you.

Sophie: P-p-pleased to meet you.

Java: What have you found out, Spencer?

Spencer: First, the original plan filed with the county doesn’t show a clubhouse. That was added later.

Java: Does it show the clubhouse over Sophie’s burrow?

Spencer: Originally it was going to be quite a ways south of her burrow. It was going to be at the edge of the subdivision, bordering on land that is currently occupied by bears.

Sophie: That agrees with what my neighbors told me. How did it end up over my burrow?

Spencer: That is an excellent question. There is no paperwork filed for that location. My team is still working on that.

Sophie: Will it be ready in time for our meeting with the judge?

Java: Don’t worry. S4 has never let me down.

Sophie went home feeling very nervous. Java seemed like such a nice, professional gorilla. What if the snakes couldn’t find anything. By the time the meeting with the judge occurred, she was sure they wouldn’t be able to find anything to hold Maurice Dupree accountable.

When she arrived at the court building, she saw Java waiting for her. She also saw Maurice, the president of the Homeowners Association (HOA). He looked very relaxed and was talking on his phone. They all went in and sat in a conference room. Maurice did not have an attorney with him.

Judge Possum: I understand that we are here to determine whether or not a clubhouse should be build over the burrow of Ms. Sophie Marmot-Jones. Is that correct?

Maurice: That is correct, Your Honor.

Java: Yes, that is the issue. My client woke up from hibernation to the sound of stakes being driven into her living quarters.

Maurice: She knew when she moved in that there we were going to build a clubhouse in the spring. She signed a contract with that information included. I have a copy with me.

He handed the contract to the judge. Judge Possum looked at the section that Maurice had highlighted.

Judge Possum: I see that construction of the clubhouse was included. However, I don’t see a location.

Java: That’s because the location on the paperwork is not where he was building. The paperwork he filed shows the clubhouse being on the other side of the subdivision.

Maurice: You obviously missed the addendum we filed. We had to move the clubhouse because the original location was in a high-traffic part of the subdivision.

Judge Possum: Please give me a copy of that addendum.

Maurice: My assistant filed it. It should be public record.

Judge Possum: Then give me a copy.

Java: Excuse me, your Honor. We have researched the public records thoroughly. There is no addendum,. However, we did find someone who knows why it was moved. May I give you their statement?

Maurice: I have a right to see what you’re giving the judge.

Judge Possum: He’s right. He should have been given a copy.

Java: I didn’t think I needed to give it to him. He’s one of the signers on the document.

Maurice: That’s ridiculous. I have no idea what he’s talking about.

Judge Possum: Let me see it.

The judge looked over the paperwork. It was a short note attached to a receipt.

Judge Possum: This says you moved the clubhouse after Rafael Bear performed several jobs for you. You signed the receipt.

Maurice: It wasn’t going to be a problem until Sophie moved in at the end of the summer. That spot had been open for a long time.

Judge Possum: I see. She’s there now, and she shouldn’t have to live with stakes in her home and all of the noise. You’re going to have to remove all of the building materials from that location and build somewhere else. Be sure to file the correct paperwork the next time.

Maurice: Yes, Your Honor.

Java: Thank you, Your Honor.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images.