“Result?”
“Normal.”
“Documentation?”
“Inside.”
Ruiz nodded.
Then he looked at the camera.
“That system saved automatically?”
“Yes.”
“Cloud backup?”
“Yes.”
Brenda interrupted.
“You cannot give him HOA footage.”
Ruiz turned.
“Ma'am.”
Her voice hardened.
“This is association business.”
“I'm investigating a reported unauthorized entry and possible property contamination.”
“No crime occurred.”
“That is what the investigation determines.”
Brenda stepped toward him.
“You don't understand our covenants.”
Ruiz looked at her.
“Probably not.”
That answer seemed to surprise her.
He continued:
“But I understand private property and evidence preservation.”
Brenda said:
“You are taking his side.”
Ruiz shook his head.
“No.”
“I haven't taken anyone's side.”
“I asked you questions.”
She pointed toward Marcus.
“He called you here because he wants to embarrass me.”
Marcus finally spoke.
“I didn't call him.”
Brenda spun.
“You configured the system.”
“Yes.”
“You knew what would happen.”
“I knew what would happen if somebody opened a locked gate.”
Ruiz raised one hand again.
“Let's keep it simple.”
He pointed toward the green hose.
“Who owns that?”
Brenda.
“The container outside?”
Brenda.
“The tool beside the gate?”
“Not mine.”
“Fine.”
Ruiz photographed it.
Brenda became visibly agitated.
“Stop photographing my property.”
Ruiz looked toward her.
“The hose?”
“Yes.”
“It's currently inside Mr. Reed's fenced yard.”
“That doesn't transfer ownership.”
“No.”
Ruiz nodded.
“It also doesn't prevent me from documenting the scene.”
Marcus almost admired how neutral he remained.
No sarcasm.
No triumph.
Just procedure.
It made Brenda more uncomfortable than confrontation would have.
Ruiz finished photographs.
Then asked Marcus to retrieve yesterday's water report.
Marcus went inside.
When he returned, Brenda and Ruiz stood several feet apart.
Brenda's arms were crossed.
Ruiz's posture had not changed.
Marcus handed him the report.
Normal chlorine.
Normal pH.
No bacterial concern noted on the recent independent inspection.
Ruiz photographed it.
Brenda said:
“That proves nothing about today.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Correct.”
She seemed surprised he agreed.
Marcus continued:
“Today proves today.”
He pointed toward the pool.
Brenda stopped talking.
Ruiz asked Marcus:
“Can we review the recording?”
“Yes.”
They went inside.
Brenda followed without invitation.
Marcus stopped at the doorway.
“No.”
Her face hardened.
“What?”
“You entered the backyard without permission.”
“You are not entering my house.”
Ruiz looked toward Brenda.
“That is his choice.”
“I need to observe evidence review.”
“No.”
She pointed toward him.