“One you're not entitled to know about,” Valerie said.
Karen recovered quickly.
“I had no idea.”
“That,” Valerie replied, “is why people generally don't disconnect infrastructure they don't own.”
The technician produced the work order.
Martin took one look.
“Secure that document.”
Paul immediately photographed it.
Karen stepped forward.
“That paperwork belongs to the HOA.”
Martin's voice remained calm.
“Do not touch his equipment.”
Karen stopped.
For the first time since becoming HOA president, she obeyed someone without arguing.
The Folder
Andrea crossed the street carrying her folder.
“I think you should see this.”
Karen's head snapped toward her.
“No.”
Andrea looked at Martin.
“I have copies of thirty-one camera-related HOA complaints.”
Martin took the folder.
Andrea explained the pattern.
Twenty-seven complaints came directly from Karen.
Three came from an email account that appeared to be connected to her.
One had been filed by another board member who later admitted Karen had written it for him.
Martin spread the documents across the hood of the government vehicle.
Every targeted camera covered a strategically important location.
Vehicle entrances.
Mailbox clusters.
Utility junctions.
Alleys.
The pattern was too precise to ignore.
Martin looked at me.
“So did you.”
I nodded.
“Why would she care?”
Andrea answered.
“That's what we're trying to figure out.”
The investigation widened.
The work order was examined.
Whitmore Community Services turned out to be a small company registered to Karen's brother, Scott Whitmore.