They inspected the visible components and reviewed the pool's maintenance history. They also examined the older auxiliary line, which should have remained isolated from ordinary circulation.
One observation troubled them.
When the decorative fountain beyond Luke's fence operated, an unexpected change appeared in the flow near an old pool-wall fitting.
When the fountain wasn't operating, the effect was much less apparent.
The pattern suggested a possible connection.
But Rafael didn't want to declare the cause based only on timing.
He explained that the old pipe might have been affected by construction, altered during a prior renovation, or connected to equipment that Luke didn't know existed.
A proper diagnosis required more than speculation.
Luke agreed.
He didn't want to accuse his neighbors of stealing water because two pumps happened to run at similar times.
He wanted the physical system examined and the relevant records reviewed.
Rafael recommended a qualified plumbing investigation and a controlled dye-tracing assessment as part of identifying the unexplained flow path.
Luke scheduled the work.
Then he called Hannah.
The attorney listened carefully.
"Do you know whether the HOA has been working near that fence?"
Luke nodded.
"They renovated the fountain a few months ago."
"Did they enter your property?"
"Not with my permission."
Hannah paused.
"Let's ask for the construction records."
The request went to the HOA management company.
Luke asked for information concerning the fountain renovation, the contractors involved, and any work authorized near his property boundary.
The management company produced several ordinary invoices.
Electrical service.
Decorative stone repair.
Replacement lighting.
And pump maintenance.
One invoice stood out.
It described the installation of an auxiliary water-supply connection and associated plumbing modifications near the eastern landscape boundary.
The contractor was Bluehaven Aquatic Services.
Luke frowned.
He'd never heard of the company.
The invoice contained a project reference that didn't match the HOA's ordinary fountain-maintenance records.
He forwarded it to Rafael.
The technician called that afternoon.
"Luke, I want to see the original work authorization for this."
"Why?"
"Because the description doesn't tell us where the auxiliary supply begins."
Luke looked toward the fence.
"Could it be connected to my pool?"
Rafael paused.
"It's possible. But don't treat that as established until we've inspected it."
Luke nodded.
He was beginning to appreciate the difference between a suspicious pattern and a verified fact.
The distinction didn't make him less concerned.
It made him more determined to find the answer properly.