Then back at him.
“Sometimes a little professional knowledge makes people overconfident.”
Andre studied him.
For a moment, he considered responding sharply.
Instead, he smiled.
“Sometimes it helps people ask useful questions.”
Martin's expression changed.
Cynthia stepped closer.
“I'm sure we'll resolve these matters soon.”
Andre nodded.
“I hope so.”
He walked away.
But as he reached the parking lot, he heard Cynthia speaking behind him.
Her voice was low.
Angry.
He couldn't make out every word.
Only one sentence.
“He's already gone to the city.”
Andre stopped.
For a moment, he considered turning around.
Then continued toward his car.
That evening, he told Tanya what happened.
She listened carefully.
Then asked.
“Why would she be upset that you reported a wastewater problem?”
Andre considered.
“Could be she doesn't like losing control.”
Tanya frowned.
“Or?”
He hesitated.
“Or she knows something about the source.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Tanya looked toward Maya, who was doing homework at the kitchen table.
“Whatever it is, we need to keep her away from our daughter.”
Andre nodded.
He agreed.
And for the first time, he began wondering whether Cynthia's behavior had moved beyond a dispute over HOA rules.
The answer began emerging through the municipal investigation.
Rosa Alvarez and her team reviewed records of recent plumbing work in the neighborhood.
The guesthouse behind Cynthia's mansion appeared repeatedly in construction-related information.
An interior renovation permit had been issued the previous year.
It covered finishing work, limited fixtures, and certain approved improvements.
But utility records did not show authorization for the wastewater modification investigators suspected might have occurred.
Rosa didn't immediately conclude that Cynthia was responsible.
The development's drainage network was complicated.
And several homes shared access to portions of the stormwater corridor.
The team needed to establish the actual source.
They examined infrastructure through authorized access points.
Compared records.
Reviewed reported discharge patterns.
And coordinated with other municipal departments.
Over time, the evidence began narrowing the area of concern.
The contamination appeared most frequently in connection with a drainage branch serving the eastern section of Magnolia Ridge.
A section adjacent to Cynthia's property.
Further investigation revealed discrepancies between the approved plans for her guesthouse and the plumbing configuration documented after renovation.
The guesthouse had been expanded to include additional bathrooms.
During construction, a problem emerged with the property's existing sanitary connection.
A proper repair would have required approved work, inspections, and significant excavation.
Cynthia didn't want that.
It would have disrupted her landscaping.
Delayed the renovation.
And cost substantially more than she planned to spend.
So she hired Martin.
Her brother operated a small property-services company that performed maintenance coordination and subcontracted renovation work.