Next morning, I burned a personal day in Tom's basement analyzing HOA records with military precision. What I found was corruption so blatant it was almost insulting. Willowbrook Management Solutions, Derek Weatherbe, Dolores's nephew, had been systematically looting the HOA for two years. Phantom inspections at $150 each.
Emergency repairs that never happened. Management fees tripled overnight when Derek took over. Total theft, $47,000. But the real gold was in Derek's email printouts.
Direct communication with Aunt Dolores about enforcement targeting and demographic compliance management. Actual quote: "Focus violations on blue-collar residents to encourage voluntary relocation and improve community standards." This wasn't just fraud. It was conspiracy with civil rights violations. I photocopied everything, then called Rodriguez.
"You need to see this now." He came over that Saturday, ostensibly for motorcycle work, but really for evidence review. When he saw the financial records, his cop instincts kicked in hard. Nathaniel, this is federal territory. Mail fraud, wire fraud, civil rights violations under color of authority.
The FBI dreams about cases this clean. Can we prove Dolores is getting kickbacks? Rodriguez's smile was predatory. My buddy in white-collar crime is going to love this, but we need her to make the next move.
She didn't disappoint.
That week brought three new violation notices. My garage door being open during daylight was unsightly storage display. My blue motorcycle cover violated earth-tone aesthetic requirements. My garden hose hanging on the house was improper equipment storage, $200 per violation, $600 total.
But Thursday evening, Dolores played her masterpiece. I was alone in the garage when I heard voices outside, multiple people. Dolores was conducting some kind of tour. Primary source of our neighborhood's declining standards, multiple violations, possible illegal operations, complete disregard for community aesthetics.
Through the garage window, I watched Dolores leading three people in business suits around my property like tour guides at a disaster site. "Property values have dropped 12% since this situation began," she announced confidently. Pure fiction. But her audience was taking detailed notes.
After they left, I called my realtor buddy, Mike. Mike, what are Willowbrook property values doing? Up 6% this year. Hot market.
Why? Just checking reality against someone's fantasy.
Friday morning brought the legal threat. Certified letter from Dolores's attorney demanding immediate cessation of commercial activities and threatening lawsuit for property value diminishment and community disruption. The letter mentioned concerned community stakeholders prepared for civil litigation. Those business suits weren't random visitors.
They were fake property assessors building a fraudulent legal case. I speed dialed Rodriguez. She's manufacturing evidence with fake appraisers. This isn't harassment anymore.
It's orchestrated fraud. Nathaniel, time to set the trap. What kind of trap? The kind where we let her think she's winning until she hangs herself with her own rope.