Chapter 6

At the courthouse Friday, Denise sat in the front row with a camera crew waiting outside. She wore the same cream blazer she had worn at my gate. When she saw me, she smiled as though the outcome had already been decided.The judge listened to both sides without interruption. Denise's attorney argued that families faced immediate hardship. Thomas agreed the hardship was real, then demonstrated that the HOA had known the agreement would end and had failed to arrange alternatives.The judge studied my grandfather's document. "This permission says temporary use pending installation of a permanent municipal connection.""Yes, Your Honor," Thomas said."And the association was warned?"Thomas submitted the receipts.The judge looked toward Denise's attorney. "Do you dispute delivery?"He hesitated. "We dispute the legal effect of the notices.""That is not what I asked."After a pause, he admitted the notices had been received.The judge declined to issue the requested emergency order on the record presented. She emphasized that residents still needed safe water, directed the parties to cooperate with county emergency measures, and left broader legal questions for later proceedings.Outside, reporters crowded around Denise. She announced that the decision was "only a temporary setback." But Ruth and the other homeowners were standing behind the cameras holding copies of their audit petition.Denise saw them, and her smile vanished.By Monday, Redstone Ridge had two water stations, a temporary supply plan, and a neighborhood meeting scheduled for that evening. The county's engineers estimated that a proper connection could be built, but it would require permits, funding, and several weeks of coordinated work.I attended the meeting only because Ruth asked me to explain the ranch agreement. The clubhouse was packed. People stood along the walls holding printed bills and photographs of empty faucets.Denise opened with a speech about unity and "outside interference." Nobody applauded.Then Ruth walked to the microphone."I have one question," she said. "Where did our water assessment money go?"Denise glanced at Greg. He did not look up."The board has always acted in the community's best interests," she answered."That wasn't the question," someone called.Harper projected the association's published statements on the screen. She had marked the years in which the infrastructure fund grew, then suddenly shrank. The records showed payments to Summit Civic Solutions, unexplained transfers to an operating account, and charges for improvements unrelated to water."These entries need independent verification," Harper said. "We're not here to declare anyone guilty. We're here to ask why a water fund wasn't used to build a water connection."Greg stood. His hands trembled slightly."I was told the consulting contract was approved by the board," he said. "When I requested supporting documents, I was instructed to stop asking."Denise rose from her chair. "That is a gross misrepresentation.""Then an audit will clear it up," Ruth replied.

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