"What happens now?"
"Derek's looking at serious federal prison time. Dolores faces felony fraud, civil rights violations, and false-report charges."
Through the garage window, I watched Dolores being loaded into a federal transport vehicle, still screaming about her rights and demanding lawyers.
"The HOA gets court-appointed management," Martinez said. "All fraudulent fines are voided, and there's going to be a substantial victim compensation fund."
Rodriguez patted my shoulder. "Your Saturday motorcycle sessions just took down a multimillion-dollar fraud ring."
The smell of motor oil mixed with autumn air suddenly smelled like freedom. Dolores had tried to destroy my life for $15,000. Instead, she'd destroyed her own for nothing.
Some people play stupid games and win stupid prizes. Others just get exactly what they deserve.
Sunday evening, Agent Martinez spread surveillance photos across my workbench. The smell of fresh coffee mixed with motor oil as we planned the next phase.
"We need her to hang herself with her own rope," Martinez said. "She makes bail tomorrow morning. And narcissists like your HOA president can't resist having the last word."
Rodriguez cracked his knuckles. "Women like Dolores don't accept defeat. She'll be back here within 48 hours, guaranteed."
The plan forming in my garage was beautiful in its simplicity. Let Dolores think she could still win.
"Here's her psychology profile," Martinez explained, tapping a thick FBI folder. "Control obsessed. Never admits fault. Pathological need to be the smartest person in the room. When everything collapses, people like this often try one final manipulation."
My garage was about to become the ultimate trap.
Martinez pulled devices from her briefcase that were smaller than matchboxes, but capable of recording conversations from a distance. She showed me how one transmitter could be hidden among ordinary shop tools and activate when voices were present.
"When she shows up making threats, we'll capture every syllable," Martinez said.
Rodriguez explained the legal framework in plain language. "She'll be walking onto your private property uninvited. We're coordinating the recording under federal supervision."
But the psychological trap was the real strategy.
"We're going to let Derek think his aunt is cooperating," Martinez explained. "Prison calls are monitored. She'll overhear a conversation suggesting Dolores is making a deal to save herself."
"Won't that make her run?"
"Opposite. She'll come here desperate to control the narrative and convince you to support her version of events."
They were using her own personality flaws against her.
The garage transformation was subtle but complete. Cameras disappeared into work lights, recording equipment sat inside parts boxes, and backup power was hidden out of sight.
To any casual observer, it looked exactly the same, just a veteran's workshop with classic bikes and vintage tools. But now every conversation could be preserved for investigators.
"Remember, Nathaniel," Martinez emphasized. "Don't try being clever. Act natural. Let her talk. People who think they're the smartest person in the room often explain far more than they should."
Rodriguez handled the street-level strategy. "She'll bring backup. Lawyer, investment partners, maybe someone to pressure you. If they offer you money to change your story, that's witness tampering territory."
Sunday night, I tested every system. Motion sensors tracked movement with military precision. Backup batteries would keep the equipment running even if the garage lost power.
"She'll come Tuesday at the latest," Martinez predicted while packing her equipment. "Bail conditions require check-ins with pretrial services. She'll be humiliated, desperate, needing to control something after federal custody stripped away her power."
The taste of approaching victory was metallic, like chrome polish on a perfectly restored motorcycle part.
Rodriguez shook my hand. "Nathaniel, three months ago, you were an HOA harassment victim. Tomorrow, you'll be a federal witness helping bring down a criminal conspiracy."