"Who sends violation notices?"
"Usually management, but hers come directly sometimes."
Ruiz nodded.
"Do not contact her."
Marcus laughed once.
"Wasn't planning to."
They began taking photographs.
Lock.
Gate.
Camera positions.
Pool.
Equipment panel.
Marcus printed copies of the notices from his home office.
By noon, a forensic technician had arrived to document the lock and collect water samples.
Marcus stood near the patio in his blue pajamas, watching people move through his backyard.
It felt surreal.
His pool had become a scene.
His private yard.
His morning.
His coffee still sat cold on the kitchen counter.
Then Brenda returned.
She walked through the side path toward the backyard gate.
Still wearing the lime-green swimsuit, sarong, hat, and sunglasses.
This time, two officers stopped her before she entered.
"What is this?"
Officer Daniels stepped forward.
"Ma'am, we're investigating a report of unauthorized entry."
Brenda laughed.
"Unauthorized?"
She pointed toward the gate.
"I am the HOA president."
Daniels said.
"That does not answer whether the homeowner gave permission."
She looked past him at Marcus.
"He is manufacturing a crisis because he dislikes enforcement."
Marcus said nothing.
Brenda noticed the forensic technician near the pool.
Her face changed.
"What are they doing?"
Daniels ignored the question.
"Do you have a key to this gate?"
Brenda folded her arms.
"I already explained that."
"Do you?"
She looked at Marcus again.
"Yes."
"Where did you get it?"
"Association records."
Marcus spoke.
"There are no association records with my key."
Daniels raised a hand.
"Let me ask."
Brenda smiled slightly.
"Thank you."
Daniels repeated.
"Where did you get the key?"
Brenda looked at him.
"The association maintained keys for inspection access."
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
Brenda snapped.
"I wasn't speaking to you."
Officer Ruiz stepped closer.
"Who provided that key to the association?"
Brenda hesitated.
"I would have to check."
Ruiz asked.
"Was it the homeowner?"
"No."
"Previous owner?"
"Possibly."
Marcus said.
"The gate was replaced after I bought the house."
Brenda looked at him.
"Again, nobody asked you."
Daniels said.
"Actually, that's relevant."
Her expression hardened.
Ruiz continued.
"Have you entered this backyard before today?"
"No."
Marcus looked at the officer.
Brenda saw his expression.
She corrected herself immediately.
"Not recently."
Ruiz did not react.
"Have you entered before today?"
Brenda sighed.
"Possibly during scheduled inspections."
Marcus pulled out his phone.
"Six times."
Brenda turned.
Marcus held up the screen.
"You entered six times in five weeks."
Her face went still.
Officer Daniels said.
"Sir, let us handle it."
Marcus nodded.
Brenda looked at the cameras.
Then at the forensic technician.
Then at the gate.
The confidence started disappearing.
Ruiz asked.
"Who is the man in the video from three weeks ago?"
Brenda's eyes narrowed.
"What man?"
Ruiz showed her a paused frame.
The unidentified man beside the equipment pad.