I placed the failed load bank report on the table. Susan read it. "This triggered the search for reserve equipment?"
"Yes," Vanessa said. "Our installed generator failed under rated load. We had a deadline and needed a backup solution."
Howard turned toward the property manager. "What happened next?"
"Management reviewed reserve assets and found 04-117."
"Yes."
"Then someone saw a generator at Cole Ranch."
"A contractor noted a visually similar unit."
The attorney asked to see the email chain. The property manager projected it onto the meeting room screen: Locate it before we authorize emergency rental.
Possible match to reserve unit. No current access authorization for physical verification.
Then the work order:
HOA Emergency Generator B located at Cole Ranch equipment yard.
Susan pointed at the screen. "When did 'possible match' become 'located'?"
The property manager looked through the timestamps. "I don't see an intervening verification."
Howard looked at Vanessa. "Was the manufacturer serial checked before the first recovery attempt?"
"No."
"Before the sheriff was called?"
"No."
"Before the theft complaint?"
Vanessa hesitated. "No."
The room stayed quiet. There was no reason for me to repeat the point; everyone had heard it.
The attorney shifted the discussion. "Before we address disposition, I want the board to separate three questions. First, did the association historically own a generator? Yes. Second, is the generator at Cole Ranch the same physical unit? The serial records indicate no. Third, what happened to the association's actual unit?"
He opened his folder. "We now have an answer to the third question."
He removed a scanned document:
Equipment Disposal Authorization
Unit: Standby Generator