"Nobody had the right to tamper with food because you wanted financial records examined."
For several seconds, she stared.
Then nodded slowly.
Leah reached across the table.
"We're just grateful nobody ate anything."
Eleanor looked toward her.
Then whispered, "Me too."
We sat quietly.
After a few minutes, Eleanor asked whether the investigation had identified the Stonebridge employee who received the photograph.
I told her the detective hadn't shared that detail.
Eleanor nodded.
Then stood.
"There's something I need to show you."
She walked toward her study.
A moment later, she returned carrying an old green folder.
Inside were copies of documents she'd obtained during her time as treasurer.
She placed them on the table.
At the top was a contractor information sheet.
The company name read Stonebridge Grounds LLC.
Beneath it was the name of its listed manager.
Gavin Rhodes.
Eleanor pointed toward the page.
"Do you know who that is?"
I shook my head.
She took a slow breath.
"Vivian's son-in-law."
I stared.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Eleanor continued.
"He married her daughter six years ago."
Leah looked toward me.
Then back at Eleanor.
"Did the board know?"
Eleanor nodded.
"Some people knew he worked in landscaping and property services. I don't know whether they understood the full financial relationship."
She pointed toward another document.
The company had received several substantial payments for drainage-related work.
Some invoices were approved while Eleanor still served as treasurer.
Others were processed after she was replaced.
She explained that she'd initially accepted the vendor because the board was told the company had relevant experience and offered competitive pricing.
But when she requested supporting work records, the information became increasingly difficult to obtain.
One invoice listed equipment and labor for work that wasn't reflected in the available site photographs.
Another billed for services supposedly performed during a week when residents reported no construction activity near the drainage area.
And a third referenced a consulting report that appeared to be only a preliminary proposal.
Eleanor looked toward me.
"I don't know how much of this money was improperly spent."
I nodded.
"But the relationships should have been disclosed and reviewed."
"Exactly."
She leaned back.
Then whispered, "And every time I asked, Vivian became angrier."
I looked toward the folder.
The amount involved was larger than I'd realized.
Not simply a few questionable landscaping charges.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to help maintain the infrastructure protecting our neighborhood from flooding.
For several seconds, I thought about the families whose basements had filled with water.