The uncertainty was part of the harm.
The residents hadn't simply lost plants, fences, or money.
They'd been made to believe that asking for evidence could put them in handcuffs.
Talia learned about the additional complaints through an appropriately limited briefing concerning the broader institutional review, rather than through private access to her own investigation.
She was still on leave from decisions directly involving the Willow Street case.
Her deputy director had assumed responsibility for any oversight matters presenting a conflict.
But Talia continued working on unrelated projects and advising on general policy questions within the limits of her recusal.
The arrangement frustrated her.
She wanted to know exactly who created the complaint in her mother's name.
She wanted to understand why Mercer targeted the roses.
And she wanted to confront the people who apparently treated elderly homeowners as easy sources of contractor revenue.
But she knew that intervening directly could compromise the investigation.
So she remained disciplined.
She provided requested evidence.
Attended medical appointments.
And restored the parts of her mother's garden that could be safely replanted without disturbing documented evidence.
One evening, she sat on the porch with Margaret.
The older woman brought lemonade.
They watched the sunset settle over Willow Street.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Margaret asked whether Talia regretted returning to the house.
Talia looked toward the rose garden.
For a moment, she considered the question.
"No."
Margaret smiled faintly.
"Even after what happened?"
Talia nodded.
"Especially after what happened."
The older woman looked surprised.
Talia continued.
"My mother spent thirty-eight years making this place beautiful. I don't want the last chapter of that work to be a police officer kicking flowers."
Margaret's eyes filled.
She reached for Talia's hand.
And for several seconds, they sat together in silence.
The first public hearing concerning the city's visibility program took place six weeks after the incident.
The municipal council had received complaints from residents, requests for information from auditors, and growing questions about Greenway's contracts.
The meeting room was crowded.
Elderly homeowners sat beside younger families.
Several carried photographs of damaged gardens.
Others brought billing statements and code notices.
A local reporter named Hannah Lewis attended with a notebook and recording equipment.
She'd been investigating the program since Talia's arrest went viral.
But her reporting focused less on the woman's official title and more on the records suggesting a broader problem.
Hannah had interviewed Ruth Daniels.
Julian Brooks.
And several other residents.
She discovered that some people paid thousands of dollars because they feared additional charges or police involvement.
Others lost landscaping that had existed for decades.
And several couldn't obtain clear explanations of the alleged violations.