Then Marcus.
Then the maintenance sheet.
Then the technician.
The room watched the green dye spread across Patricia's skin.
Nobody laughed.
The footage ended.
Marcus turned off the screen.
His attorney stood.
"That's the entire incident."
Patricia's attorney stood immediately.
"Mr. Reed intentionally placed dye in the pool knowing my client might enter."
Marcus's attorney responded.
"The pool was closed for maintenance."
"Yet he knew she had previously accessed the property."
"That does not make the closure invalid."
"He could have warned her."
"He did not need to warn someone not to break into private property."
The board president raised a hand.
"Enough."
He looked at Patricia.
"Mrs. Whitmore, why did you believe you had access?"
Patricia looked around.
"Because I'm HOA president."
"That isn't sufficient."
"It is in the bylaws."
The association's attorney spoke.
"No."
Patricia turned.
"What?"
"The bylaws do not grant you general access to private backyards."
The room went silent.
The attorney continued.
"They never did."
Patricia's face changed.
"You said—"
"I said you had inspection authority under specific circumstances."
"You told me—"
"I told you to provide written notice."
Patricia stared at him.
The attorney looked toward the board.
"And she did not."
The board president closed his folder.
"Then the matter is clear."
Patricia's attorney objected.
"It is not."
But the room had already turned.
The board voted unanimously to remove Patricia from all enforcement authority.
Then came the second vote.
The HOA would prohibit board members from entering private property without documented legal authority or explicit homeowner consent.
The third vote concerned Patricia's membership status.
She would remain a homeowner.
But she could no longer hold office.
Patricia sat frozen.
Marcus watched her.
For the first time, he didn't feel angry.
He felt tired.
The meeting ended.
People began leaving.
Cheryl approached Marcus.
"I'm sorry."
Marcus nodded.
"I know."
She looked at the pool footage.
"I can't believe I did that."
"You trusted someone."
"I should have asked."
"Yes."
She smiled weakly.
"I'll never ignore a locked gate again."
Marcus laughed.
"That's probably a good lesson."
Outside, the sun was setting.
Marcus and Danielle walked toward their car.
Danielle looked at him.
"How do you feel?"
"Relieved."
"Not happy?"
"No."
"Why?"
Marcus looked back at the clubhouse.
"Because it shouldn't have taken all this."
Danielle nodded.
"I know."