Together, they arranged a secure meeting with Elias and the outside accountant.
Andre's attorney was informed.
The parties agreed that any actual safety threat needed to be handled through appropriate authorities rather than informal HOA action.
No one suggested conducting amateur testing.
No one planned to confront Cynthia physically.
And no one assumed that recognizing an invoice code meant the worst possibility was already confirmed.
But they understood that the stakes had changed.
The matter was no longer merely about unauthorized access or financial conflicts.
It involved the possibility that someone had obtained industrial material for an improper purpose.
Cynthia learned about Elias through Victor Ames.
The Bluewater owner called her late on a Wednesday afternoon.
His voice was strained.
"The association's lawyer contacted Graybridge."
She stared at the phone.
"What?"
"They're asking about product documentation."
For several seconds, Cynthia couldn't speak.
Then she asked who was handling the inquiry.
Victor hesitated.
"Elias Mercer."
Her face changed.
She knew the name.
Months earlier, Elias had questioned documentation associated with materials referenced in Bluewater's proposed remediation program.
He'd been skeptical of the project.
He wanted proof that the products and services being discussed were appropriate for the intended environment.
Cynthia had regarded him as another obstacle.
Now he was involved in an independent review.
"Why is he speaking with the board?" she demanded.
Victor sighed.
"Because the invoices raised questions."
Cynthia closed her eyes.
Then asked whether Elias had access to the full supplier records.
Victor didn't know.
She felt a wave of panic.
The elaborate proposal she'd built around the pool was beginning to unravel.
The management agreement remained unsigned.
The HOA's financial review was expanding.
And the industrial-materials reference could draw attention from authorities far outside the association.
For the first time, Cynthia considered simply abandoning the project.
Then she looked at the projected revenue.
The consulting payments.
The promises she'd made.
And the obligations already recorded through her affiliated business.
She didn't know how to explain the losses.
Instead of admitting failure, she decided she needed one last opportunity to force Andre to cooperate.
The following morning, Cynthia requested a private meeting with Andre.
He declined.
She emailed again.
He forwarded the message to Natalie.
His attorney responded that all further communications should proceed through counsel and that Andre wouldn't sign the proposed management agreement.
Cynthia was furious.
She called Victor.
He didn't answer.
She called the HOA vice president.
He told her the board was reviewing the vendor relationship and would not authorize additional action.
Then she called Ruth.
The treasurer remained calm.
"Cynthia, we need to follow the independent review."