She hadn't merely wanted to interfere with Eleanor's appearance at the meeting.
She'd also been trying to provoke a confrontation that could damage the credibility of the people questioning her.
She apparently believed that if the actual food couldn't be tested, the video would show only a neighborhood argument over something she could call seasoning.
But Leah and I didn't throw the food away.
We didn't let anyone eat it.
And we didn't allow Vivian to remove the separate plate.
The evidence remained available for proper examination.
For several seconds after hearing the messages, I felt sick.
Because Vivian hadn't only counted on controlling the HOA.
She'd counted on controlling how other people interpreted me.
A Black homeowner demanding answers.
An influential white HOA president claiming she was being threatened.
She believed her reputation would be enough to make our account less credible.
And if the evidence hadn't been preserved, she might have succeeded in creating far more confusion.
Eleanor testified as well.
She walked slowly to the witness chair wearing a modest navy dress and a pearl necklace her late husband had given her.
She appeared nervous.
But she spoke clearly.
The prosecutor asked about her time as HOA treasurer.
Eleanor explained the reserve accounts, the disputed expenditures, and her efforts to obtain documentation.
She described the special meeting scheduled for the Monday after the cookout.
Then she explained why Leah prepared a separate meal for her.
For several seconds, Eleanor's voice trembled.
"I was looking forward to sitting with my neighbors."
She looked toward the gallery.
"That's all."
The prosecutor asked whether she'd known about the powder before investigators contacted her.
She shook her head.
"No."
"Did you give anyone permission to add anything to your food?"
"No."
Then the prosecutor asked how she felt when she learned the laboratory findings and the evidence identifying the reserved plate.
Eleanor looked down.
For a long moment, she was silent.
Then whispered, "I felt betrayed."
Her eyes filled.
She continued.
"I served on that board because I wanted to help protect our homes."
For several seconds, she struggled to speak.
Then she looked toward Vivian.
"I never thought asking where the money went would make somebody want to hurt me."
The courtroom remained still.
Eleanor took a breath.
Then finished.
"But I would ask those questions again."
For a moment, I couldn't move.
Leah reached for my hand.
And I realized that Eleanor's courage had nothing to do with appearing fearless.
She was frightened.
She was hurt.
And she had lost trust in someone she'd known for years.