Dana answered calmly.
“I am advising you not to compromise an active investigation.”
“What investigation?”
“I am not discussing that.”
“You expect me to go home without explaining why federal agents are outside?”
“Yes.”
Brenda laughed in disbelief.
Dana did not.
That stopped the laughter.
An agent approached.
“Dana.”
He showed her something on the tablet.
She read.
Then looked at Brenda.
“Who had access to those anonymous complaints?”
Brenda frowned.
“Board members.”
“Management.”
“Compliance volunteers.”
“Names.”
Brenda began listing them.
Marcus listened.
Most familiar.
Martin Hale.
Susan Keller.
George Levin.
Management representative Philip Turner.
Then one name Marcus did not know.
“Derek Shaw.”
Dana's eyes changed.
Subtle.
But Marcus noticed.
“Who is Derek Shaw?”
“Maintenance coordinator.”
“For the HOA?”
“Contractor.”
“What company?”
“Greenway Property Services.”
Dana glanced at another agent.
He was already typing.
Brenda looked between them.
“What?”
Dana ignored the question.
“How long has Mr. Shaw worked here?”
“About a year.”
“Does he have access to private properties?”
“Only for authorized maintenance.”
“Keys?”
“Some common-access keys.”
“Gate codes?”
“For common areas.”
Dana nodded.
Marcus's morning had just become much worse.
He took off one slipper.
Then realized he had no reason to.
Put it back on.
Dana looked at him.
“Why did you remove your shoe?”
“I don't know.”
She stared.
Marcus rubbed the face mask.
“I'm processing.”
Despite herself, Dana almost smiled.
Then she returned to Brenda.
“You need to remain available.”
“Am I detained?”
“No.”
“Can I leave?”
“Yes.”
Brenda looked toward the SUVs.
Then Marcus.
Her expression held anger, humiliation, and something newly unfamiliar.
Fear.
She picked up neither hammer nor camera.
Then walked through the gate.
Halfway out, Dana called:
“Ms. Whitmore.”
Brenda turned.
“Your hammer.”
She looked at it.
For one second, Marcus thought she might refuse.
Then she returned, picked it up, and left.
Marcus waited until the gate closed.
Then looked at Dana.
“How bad?”
Dana looked at his face.
Marcus pointed.
“Say anything about the mask and you can leave.”
“It looks hydrating.”
“Dana.”
“Fine.”
She walked toward the broken camera.
“Bad enough.”
Marcus crossed his arms.
“You installed that because of burglaries.”
“We told you it related to an active neighborhood investigation.”
“You told me almost nothing.”
“Correct.”
“Which I accepted because I enjoy mysterious government contractors drilling into my siding.”
Dana crouched beside the equipment.
Marcus continued.
“Now the HOA president has destroyed it and you're suddenly interested in anonymous complaints.”
Dana stood.
“I cannot tell you everything.”
“Can you tell me whether I'm in danger?”
She considered.
That was answer enough to make Marcus uncomfortable.
Dana said:
“We don't currently have information suggesting you are personally targeted.”
“Currently.”
“Yes.”
Marcus looked toward the street.
“What were you watching?”
Dana hesitated.