“He encouraged stricter enforcement.”
“But we have not found evidence Brenda knew he was involved in crime.”
Marcus looked toward her.
She sat rigidly.
Humiliated.
Dana continued:
“Her behavior may have helped him.”
“That does not mean she joined his conspiracy.”
“So she's just…”
“Brenda.”
Dana almost smiled.
Marcus did too.
Then stopped.
“Did she compromise the investigation?”
“Yes.”
“How badly?”
“Not discussing.”
“Right.”
Dana continued:
“But the backup angle preserved most of what we needed.”
Marcus nodded toward the clubhouse.
“What happens to her?”
“That's for prosecutors regarding equipment damage and any other applicable issues.”
“She didn't know.”
“Knowledge matters.”
“Intent matters.”
“Circumstances matter.”
Marcus nodded.
“And trespass?”
“Local issue if you pursue it.”
He looked toward Brenda.
She met his eyes.
For once, she did not look superior.
Only exhausted.
Marcus approached.
The HOA attorney stood.
“Mr. Reed.”
Marcus nodded.
Brenda said:
“This is your fault.”
The attorney closed her eyes.
Marcus stared.
Of all possible first sentences.
Brenda continued:
“If you had disclosed the camera properly, none of this would have happened.”
Her attorney whispered:
“Brenda.”
Marcus felt old anger rise.
Then something else.
Fatigue.
He sat across from her.
“Let's test that.”
She glared.
Marcus continued.
“If I had told you it belonged to federal investigators, what would you have done?”
“I would've demanded documentation.”
“Exactly.”
“I would have protected residents.”
“From an investigation into thieves using our neighborhood?”
“You don't know what residents were recorded.”
“Neither do you.”
Brenda's attorney said:
“Perhaps this isn't productive.”
Marcus ignored her.
“Derek told you cameras were dangerous.”
“He provided evidence.”
“He used you.”
Brenda flinched.
“No.”
“He convinced you that removing cameras protected privacy while he was helping criminals move stolen property through the neighborhood.”
“That is not established.”
Dana, across the room, said nothing.
Marcus continued:
“You didn't know what he was doing.”
Brenda looked relieved for half a second.
Then Marcus added:
“But you also didn't ask enough questions because he was telling you something you already wanted to believe.”
Her expression hardened.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You wanted homeowners' cameras under HOA control.”
“You wanted approval power.”
“You wanted to decide what people could install.”
“So when Derek gave you scary reasons, you didn't investigate him.”
“You investigated us.”
Brenda looked away.
Marcus continued:
“You climbed my house with a hammer.”
“Not because you knew about criminals.”
“Because you were angry I wouldn't let you control something.”
Her attorney watched.
Brenda's eyes filled.
Marcus did not expect that.
She said quietly:
“You think I'm an idiot.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I think you're so used to being certain that you forgot uncertainty is sometimes useful.”
She looked toward him.
Marcus continued:
“If you'd asked one more question this morning, the camera would still be there.”
Silence.
Brenda whispered:
“You wouldn't have answered.”
“Probably not.”
“Then how would that help?”
“You still wouldn't have had permission to break it.”
That landed.
No response.
Marcus stood.
Her attorney asked:
“Will you pursue trespass charges?”
Marcus looked toward Brenda.
“I don't know.”