The amount was $4,850.
Ruth frowned.
Willowcrest Estates didn't own an aquatic facility.
There was a small decorative fountain near the entrance, but nothing resembling the swimming pool described in the invoice.
She checked the supporting documents.
The work order identified Andre's address.
Ruth stared at the page for several seconds.
Then she called Cynthia.
"Why are we paying for an inspection of Mr. Walker's swimming pool?"
Cynthia sighed.
"Because we're trying to develop a community recreation program."
Ruth looked toward her computer.
"Has he signed an agreement?"
"We're negotiating."
"That's not what I asked."
Cynthia's tone sharpened.
"Ruth, you know perfectly well that community projects require preliminary work."
The treasurer remained calm.
"Not on privately owned property without authorization."
For several seconds, there was silence.
Then Cynthia accused her of obstructing an important neighborhood initiative.
Ruth didn't respond to the accusation.
She simply requested the supporting contract and proof that the board had authorized the expense.
Cynthia promised to send the records.
Three days passed.
Nothing arrived.
Ruth followed up.
Cynthia sent a brief proposal describing the benefits of recreational programming, but it contained no signed access agreement and no documented authorization for the inspection.
The treasurer added the matter to her growing list of financial concerns.
She had served on the board long enough to recognize the difference between a paperwork mistake and a pattern.
And this was beginning to look like a pattern.
The second invoice was larger.
It came from a company called Crestline Property Response, a subcontractor occasionally used by Bluewater.
The description read Emergency aquatic risk assessment and preliminary remediation planning.
The amount was $12,600.
Ruth examined the date.
The invoice had been prepared before any documented emergency involving Andre's pool.
She checked the board minutes.
No emergency assessment had been approved.
Then she reviewed the vendor's supporting statement.
It referred to an unspecified condition requiring rapid intervention in a privately owned swimming facility.
Ruth felt her stomach tighten.
She contacted the HOA management company and asked whether any government agency, licensed inspector, or qualified pool technician had reported a dangerous condition at Andre's house.
The manager checked.
No such report appeared in the association's records.
Ruth called Cynthia again.
This time, the president sounded annoyed before the conversation even began.
"Ruth, I have a very busy afternoon."
"So do I. We need to discuss the Crestline invoice."
Cynthia sighed loudly.
"What about it?"
"What emergency are we paying them to evaluate?"
The president hesitated.
Then answered that Bluewater had identified possible safety concerns.