I took a slow breath.
“That's what my attorney thinks.”
She nodded.
“I'd like to speak with her, through the appropriate channels, if you're willing.”
I considered the request.
Then answered.
“Yes.”
Miriam sounded relieved.
“Thank you.”
I leaned forward.
“Mrs. Chen, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Did the board authorize Caroline Whitmore to enter my property and confront my family?”
Miriam went silent.
Then answered quietly.
“Not to my knowledge.”
I closed my eyes.
She continued.
“Mr. Reed, I'm sorry your daughter experienced that.”
The words caught me off guard.
For several seconds, I couldn't answer.
Then I said, “Thank you.”
Miriam hesitated.
“Is she all right?”
I looked toward the framed photograph on my desk.
Grace holding Ava in the swimming pool years earlier.
“She was frightened. We're helping her feel comfortable again.”
Miriam was silent.
Then whispered, “I'm so sorry.”
I took a breath.
“Mrs. Chen, I appreciate you calling. But I'm going to let my attorney handle the property issue.”
“That's entirely reasonable.”
We ended the conversation.
I sat quietly.
For the first time, I understood that Canyon Crest wasn't a single person.
Caroline was the president.
But there were hundreds of homeowners behind the association.
Many probably knew nothing about what she'd done.
Some might even have been paying for a project that couldn't legally proceed as advertised.
That distinction mattered.
If I treated the entire community as my enemy, I'd be doing something similar to Caroline.
Judging people before I'd heard them.
So I called Elena.
Told her about Miriam.
Then forwarded the contact information.
Elena sounded cautiously pleased.
“A board treasurer asking for records is a useful development.”
I nodded.
“Should we trust her?”
“Trust the documents first.”
I smiled.
“That's why I hired you.”
She laughed.
Then became serious.
“Malcolm, I also want to discuss the security situation. Have there been any further attempts to enter the property?”
“No.”
“Good. Keep your access controls functioning, and let us know immediately if that changes.”
I looked toward the pool.
“Understood.”
A week passed.
Then another.
Caroline sent no direct messages.