“This is improper.”
Ruiz remained calm.
“Wait outside.”
Brenda looked at Marcus with pure hatred.
Then stayed on the patio.
Marcus closed the door.
In the kitchen, he opened the security application.
The clip began twelve minutes before Marcus saw Brenda.
Empty backyard.
Gate closed.
Then movement.
Brenda appeared outside.
Orange top.
Sunglasses.
Green hose.
She set the container down.
Looked toward both neighboring properties.
Reached into the small pouch at her waist.
Removed a narrow metal tool.
Marcus stared.
Even though he already knew.
Watching was different.
She inserted the tool near the latch.
Twenty-three seconds.
Gate opened.
Ruiz leaned closer.
“Good angle.”
Marcus said nothing.
Brenda pulled the hose inside.
Closed the gate behind her.
Then she walked to the deep end and began pouring.
No inspection.
No water test.
No attempt to examine existing conditions.
Just hose.
Yellow liquid.
Directly into the pool.
Ruiz exhaled.
“Okay.”
Marcus looked toward him.
“You keep saying okay.”
“It helps me avoid saying other things while the camera is recording.”
Marcus laughed despite himself.
They continued.
Then came the important part.
Before Marcus exited the house, Brenda had spoken aloud.
Not to anyone visible.
Possibly phone earbuds.
Marcus increased volume.
Brenda's voice became clearer.
“Let him prove this one isn't his fault.”
Ruiz stopped the video.
“Play that again.”
Marcus did.
Brenda:
“Let him prove this one isn't his fault.”
A pause.
Then:
“He wants to fight every violation, he can fight this.”
Another pause.
“I'll get the pictures before he sees it.”
Marcus went cold.
Pictures.
The previous contamination complaints.
The earlier photographs.
Ruiz looked at him.
“You have copies of prior HOA notices?”
“Every one.”
“How many involve the pool?”
“Five.”
“Photos?”
“Three.”
Ruiz nodded.
“Show me.”
Marcus opened the folder.
The first image showed cloudy water near the pool steps.
The second showed debris across the shallow end.
The third showed yellow staining along the coping.
Each accompanied an HOA notice alleging unsanitary maintenance.
Marcus looked back at today's footage.
Same pool.
Same angles.
Ruiz noticed too.
“Who took these?”
“The notices say association inspection.”
“Person?”
“Brenda signed two.”
“Third?”
“Compliance committee.”
Ruiz leaned back.
“This is getting bigger.”
Marcus stared at the screen.
For months, he had suspected harassment.
Now a different possibility appeared.
Not merely Brenda discovering problems.
Brenda creating them.
Then photographing them.
Marcus whispered:
“She staged the violations.”
Ruiz looked toward him.
“Don't jump ahead.”
Marcus almost snapped.
Then stopped.