“Did he ask you to encourage residents to sell?”
Patricia looked toward Richard.
“I was told to speak with people who seemed unhappy and explain that there might be opportunities if they wanted to move.”
“Who told you that?”
“Harold.”
“Did Patrick Doyle ever speak to you about this?”
“Yes. Once, at the community hall. He asked whether certain homeowners were likely to accept offers.”
“Which homeowners?”
Patricia's face tightened.
“The Harrisons. The Lewises. And Marcus.”
“Why Marcus?”
“Harold said he was influential and that if he opposed the improvement plan, others might follow him.”
“Did anyone tell you to make complaints against Marcus?”
“No.”
“Did anyone tell you to call the police during his barbecue?”
“No.”
Dr. Carter waited.
Patricia began twisting a tissue between her fingers.
“But Harold often said that we needed to document everything. He said that if people resisted the standards, the board needed a record of their behavior.”
“Did you understand that as permission to report ordinary visitors?”
“At the time, I thought I was helping.”
“Did you have any evidence that Marcus's guests were trespassing or behaving dangerously?”
“No.”
“Did you have any evidence that the Harrisons were violating the rules?”
Patricia shook her head.
“Not enough to justify the number of complaints.”
Dr. Carter wrote down her answer.
“Did you ever tell residents that investors were interested in purchasing their homes?”
Patricia looked down.
“Yes.”
“Did you disclose that you were communicating with Harold and Patrick about those properties?”
“No.”
Richard shifted in his chair but said nothing.
Patricia began to cry.
“I didn't think of it as pressure. I thought I was giving people options.”
Dr. Carter's voice remained calm.
“An option is meaningful only when people can make a decision without being intimidated or misled. If someone receives repeated complaints and then hears that a buyer is interested in purchasing their home, that person may not feel free to refuse.”
Patricia nodded.
“I understand that now.”
“Do you know who created the spreadsheet?”
“No.”
“Have you ever seen it?”
“Harold showed me a printed page once. He pointed to several names and said those residents were unlikely to cooperate.”
“Did you see the notes about Marcus?”
Patricia hesitated.
“Yes.”
“What did Harold say?”
“He said Marcus was difficult to influence. He said people respected him, so we needed to be careful not to let him turn the neighborhood against the board.”
Dr. Carter looked up.
“Did he say anything about making Marcus sell?”
“No. He said that wasn't necessary. He just wanted him to stop questioning the improvement project.”
Patricia wiped her eyes.
“After the barbecue, Harold told me that the police call had created an opportunity. He said the incident would make Marcus look unreasonable if he challenged the HOA.”
Richard turned toward her.
“You never told me that.”
Patricia lowered her head.
“I was ashamed.”
Dr. Carter asked her to repeat the statement carefully and identify when the conversation had taken place.
Patricia did so.
The information was significant, but it still needed corroboration. Dr. Carter explained that she would compare Patricia's account with Harold's emails, the board records, and statements from other people.
When the meeting ended, Richard helped Patricia put on her coat.
Outside the office, he stopped beside the car.
“Why didn't you tell me about that conversation?”
Patricia stared at the pavement.
“Because I knew it was wrong.”
Richard opened the passenger door but did not get in.
“Then why did you keep defending Harold?”
“I thought if I admitted what happened, everyone would know I had helped him.”
“They already know you made mistakes. What matters now is whether you stop hiding them.”
Patricia nodded.
“I will.”
Across town, Harold Bennett was sitting in his office when Patrick Doyle called.
“Have you heard what Thomas has done?” Patrick asked.
Harold rubbed his forehead.
“He gave Dr. Carter the emails.”
“Which emails?”
“All of them, apparently.”
Patrick swore under his breath.
“Does she have the spreadsheet?”
“Yes.”
There was a long pause.
“Then we have a problem,” Patrick said.
Harold looked toward the door to make sure it was closed.
“Did you create that list?”
“I didn't create it alone.”
“What does that mean?”
“It was a planning document. We needed to understand which properties might be available. It was never supposed to be used as an enforcement tool.”
“But the HOA complaint summaries were included.”
“Thomas sent them. I didn't ask him to violate any rules.”
“You asked him for the information.”
“I asked for general property conditions.”
Harold stood.
“Patrick, your emails say the association could establish standards while the acquisition team worked with owners who were ready for a change.”