And "general noncompliance."
The management company asked for the inspection reports.
There were none.
Patricia had filed complaints without documenting inspections.
The board president looked exhausted.
"This isn't normal."
The manager shook his head.
"No."
"How serious is it?"
"Potentially very serious."
Meanwhile, Marcus tried to move on.
He repaired the pool gate.
He replaced the lock.
He installed a second reinforced latch.
He kept the yellow warning sign.
Not because he was afraid.
Because he wanted people to understand that the sign wasn't decoration.
The pool technician returned for the final inspection.
The water was safe again.
Ava came home from her friend's house.
She stood at the edge of the pool.
"Can we swim?"
Marcus smiled.
"Now you can."
She jumped in.
For the first time in days, Marcus felt the tension leave his shoulders.
Danielle watched from a lounge chair.
"You look happier."
"I am."
"Because Patricia's being investigated?"
Marcus watched Ava swim.
"Because my daughter is in the pool."
Danielle smiled.
"Fair answer."
But the story wasn't finished.
Three days later, Marcus received a letter from the HOA.
The board announced that Patricia Whitmore had been temporarily removed from her enforcement duties pending review.
The neighborhood erupted.
Some residents celebrated.
Others were cautious.
Marcus wasn't interested in celebrating.
He wanted something simpler.
He wanted the rules to apply equally.
Then the board discovered something else.
Patricia had been entering private property not only during inspections.
She had been doing it outside official hours.
Security footage from several homes showed her walking through side yards.
Sometimes she carried a clipboard.
Sometimes she carried nothing.
Sometimes she appeared to be checking windows.
One homeowner discovered she had taken photographs of a backyard renovation.
Another found Patricia had photographed a child's play equipment.
The management company recommended contacting an attorney.
The board did.
The attorney reviewed everything.
Then he asked one question.
"Why was she doing this?"
Nobody knew.
Until the county records revealed something.
A developer had recently approached the HOA about purchasing land near the subdivision.
The proposal required access through a narrow strip of private property.
That strip belonged to Marcus.
The board president called Marcus.
"We need to talk."
Marcus went to the clubhouse.
The president closed the door.
"You remember the development proposal?"
"Yes."
"They need an access corridor."
"I know."
"We were told the corridor could be acquired."
"From whom?"
The president looked uncomfortable.
"You."
Marcus stared at him.
"What?"
"They thought you might sell."
"Who thought that?"
The president slid a document across the table.
A consulting agreement.
Patricia Whitmore's name appeared on it.
Marcus read the page.
She had been paid by a consulting company connected to the developer.
The payments were listed as community outreach services.
Marcus looked up.
"How much?"
The president swallowed.
"Enough."