One person wrote that he should lose his house.
Another suggested he be arrested.
A third claimed that the HOA had possessed access rights for years.
None of those commenters had seen the deed.
The written objections.
Or the recording of Victoria adding something to the water.
Anthony felt his hands trembling.
He wanted to respond angrily.
To publish the video.
To show everyone exactly what Victoria had done.
But Rachel Morgan advised caution.
The recording involved other people who hadn't agreed to become part of a public spectacle.
There were medical questions still unresolved.
And the property and association disputes required careful handling.
Anthony listened.
Then issued a short statement through the appropriate neighborhood communication channel.
He confirmed that the pool was private, that the gathering had not been authorized, and that the incident was being reviewed with the relevant professionals and authorities.
He didn't accuse anyone of a crime.
He didn't speculate about the medical cause.
And he didn't publish the guests' personal information.
But he made one point unmistakable.
He had not invited the group to swim.
The following morning, Elaine Brooks called.
Her voice sounded exhausted.
"Anthony, I've seen Victoria's post."
He sighed.
"So has half the county."
Elaine hesitated.
"There's something you need to know."
He looked toward the backyard.
The pool remained closed.
A temporary notice on the patio indicated that no one should enter the water until the assessment was complete.
"What?"
Elaine explained that the association's event-account records contained payments connected to Victoria's unauthorized gathering.
Some guests had paid directly into an account linked to her event business.
Others believed their money went to the HOA.
The board hadn't approved the event.
And the association hadn't provided insurance or authorization for the use of Anthony's property.
Anthony closed his eyes.
"So she was collecting money for my backyard."
"That's what we need to examine."
He took a slow breath.
Elaine continued.
"We've also found a document that claims you granted temporary recreational access."
Anthony stared.
"What document?"
She hesitated.
"An agreement bearing your name."
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then answered quietly.
"I never signed anything."
Elaine sighed.
"I know that's what you've told us. We need to establish where the document came from."
Anthony looked toward the water.
For months, Victoria had insisted that the pool was part of a community arrangement.
He thought she was simply exaggerating her authority.
Now he was beginning to understand that she'd been creating paperwork to support a story he never agreed to.