Daniel thanked her for trusting them with the papers.
"I hope this helps," she said.
"It does."
As Helen walked toward the courthouse, Daniel and Laura remained at the table.
Laura opened her notebook.
"We now have evidence that your property was identified as part of a historical access route, and we have a document indicating that the system's closure status was not fully established at the time of the original inspection."
"Does that mean Westbridge has no right to access it?"
"Not necessarily. The company may have acquired certain rights, or it may be pursuing new permits. We need to verify that. But the association's agreement does not give it unrestricted authority over your property."
"And the survey scheduled for Thursday?"
"I've already contacted the county. I'm requesting written confirmation of any permits issued to Westbridge or its contractors. Until we receive an answer, you should not assume that a private survey crew has permission to enter your land."
Daniel nodded.
"What happens if they come anyway?"
"Document the encounter from a safe distance, ask for their authorization, and contact the authorities if they attempt to enter without permission. Don't obstruct them physically."
He agreed.
Laura closed her notebook.
"One more thing. I want to know whether any of the other six homeowners received notices mentioning underground infrastructure, drainage problems, or access rights."
"Margaret mentioned flooding. Thomas hasn't returned my call."
"Try him again today. We may need statements from all seven homeowners, particularly if the same pattern of pressure has affected them."
Daniel took out his phone and called Thomas Reed.
This time, Thomas answered.
"Daniel?"
"Thanks for picking up. I need to ask you about the Westbridge offer and the association's recent notices."
Thomas exhaled.
"I was wondering when you'd call."
"You received an offer?"
"Three months ago. They wanted to buy my house and the strip of land behind it."
"Did you decline?"
"Yes."
"What happened afterward?"
"The association started questioning my driveway. Then they said the retaining wall behind my garage might violate a drainage rule."
"Did you build the wall?"
"Twenty years ago. The association approved it."
Daniel glanced at Laura.
"Have they threatened to fine you?"
"Twice."
"Did they mention the old pumping station?"
Thomas went silent.
"Thomas?"
"Yes," he said eventually. "One of the Westbridge representatives asked whether I had ever seen water coming out of a metal cover near the back of my property."
Daniel straightened.
"What cover?"
"A small metal plate embedded in the ground. I thought it was an old drainage access. It's been there since before I bought the house."
"Where is it?"
"Near the rear retaining wall."
"Has anyone inspected it recently?"
"Not that I know of. But last week, someone moved the stones covering the area. I put them back because I assumed it was a maintenance issue."
Daniel looked at Laura.
She had stopped writing and was listening carefully.
"Did you report it?" Daniel asked.
"No. I didn't think it was important."
"Do you still have photographs of the area?"
"I might. Why?"
Daniel explained what he had discovered about the historical pumping station and the old access route.
He did not claim to know what the metal cover was connected to. He simply told Thomas that the county records suggested a historical underground system crossed several properties in the neighborhood.
When he finished, Thomas was silent for several seconds.
"Are you telling me there's something underneath our houses that nobody has properly documented?"
"I'm saying the records are incomplete, and we need to find out what they establish."
Thomas sighed.
"All right. I'll look for the photographs. But Daniel, I need to tell you something else."
"What?"
"Richard came to my house last Friday."
"What did he want?"
"He said the association was considering an emergency drainage inspection. He wanted me to sign a form allowing a contractor to enter my backyard."
"Did he explain what the inspection was for?"
"He said there had been reports of underground instability."
Daniel looked at Laura.
"Did you sign?"
"No. I asked for a copy of the inspection plan, and he told me the paperwork would come later."
"Did it?"
"No."
Daniel felt a cold wave of anger.
"Do you still have the form?"
"Yes."
"Can you send me a copy?"
"I can."
"Please don't alter it. Send the original to your attorney if you have one, and keep a copy for yourself."
Thomas agreed.
After the call ended, Daniel and Laura exchanged a long look.
"That's another piece of the pattern," she said.
"Not proof of unlawful conduct by itself."
"No, but it gives us a specific document to investigate."