Marcus held three pages.
“I have questions about Northline Property Response.”
Victoria's expression barely changed.
“What kind of questions?”
“Ownership.”
“That information is public.”
“I know.”
A few people looked up.
Marcus continued.
“Northline shares a registered address with two other vendors currently receiving association funds.”
Victoria folded her hands.
“Many companies use commercial registered agents.”
“Correct.”
“So?”
“They also share a financial manager.”
That produced silence.
Victoria’s expression changed slightly.
Marcus continued.
“And Northline received nearly three hundred fifty thousand dollars under emergency authorizations without competitive bids.”
The treasurer looked toward Victoria.
Victoria smiled.
“Mr. Reed, emergency response requires speed.”
“I agree.”
“Then what's the issue?”
“The storm was six weeks ago.”
“Yes.”
“The largest Northline invoice is dated nine days before the storm.”
Now people started murmuring.
Victoria did not.
Her smile remained.
“That is obviously an administrative coding error.”
“Maybe.”
Marcus lifted the pages.
“I’d like the original invoice and purchase authorization.”
Victoria’s voice cooled.
“You can submit a records request.”
“I already did.”
“When?”
“Twenty-one days ago.”
The treasurer looked surprised.
Victoria said:
“Then staff will respond.”
“State law requires a response within ten business days.”
The room became quieter.
Victoria stared at him.
Marcus added:
“I sent a second request yesterday.”
Her smile disappeared.
That was the first moment she truly noticed him.
After the meeting, a man named Harold Beck approached Marcus in the parking lot.
Harold had lived in Crestmont Ridge for nineteen years.
Retired electrical engineer.
Former board member.
Seventy-three.
Thin.
Direct.
“You're going to irritate her.”
Marcus smiled.
“I gathered.”
Harold looked around before continuing.
“I requested records two years ago.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Then?”
“I ran for board.”
“Won?”
“Almost.”
“After that?”
Harold laughed without humor.
“My wife received seventeen violation notices in four months.”
Marcus stopped smiling.
“For what?”
“Trash can visible from street.”
“Garden edging.”
“Bird feeder height.”
“Guest parking.”
“Holiday lights left up four days too long.”
Marcus looked toward the clubhouse.
“You think it was retaliation.”
“I know it was.”
“Can you prove it?”
Harold sighed.
“That is always the problem.”
Can you prove it?
Marcus remembered those words later.
Especially beside the pool.
Within two weeks of the meeting, Marcus received his first violation notice.
UNAPPROVED EXTERIOR LIGHTING.