"You knew."
Marcus shook his head.
"I knew the pool was closed."
The officer asked Patricia a question.
"Did you see any notice?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"On the gate."
"And you entered anyway?"
"I believed the HOA had access."
The officer nodded.
"Do you have written authorization?"
Patricia said nothing.
"Do you have a key?"
"No."
"Did Mr. Reed invite you?"
"No."
"Then why did you enter?"
Patricia looked around.
Her friends were avoiding her eyes.
Finally she said:
"I'm HOA president."
The officer sighed.
"That isn't an answer."
Patricia looked furious.
"It should be."
"No, ma'am."
The officer pointed toward the broken gate.
"It isn't."
The women were eventually allowed to leave after providing their information.
Patricia remained.
Marcus stayed outside with the officer.
The pool technician continued his inspection.
When everything was documented, the officer gave Marcus a report number.
"Keep the footage."
"I will."
"And the maintenance records."
"I have them."
"Good."
Patricia walked toward the front gate.
Before leaving, she turned around.
Her green-streaked face was furious.
"This isn't over."
Marcus looked at her.
"No."
He glanced toward the broken lock.
CHAPTER 5
"I don't think it is."
Patricia left.
The gate closed behind her.
Marcus watched her walk toward the street.
Then he turned toward the pool.
The technician was still working.
"You okay?" the technician asked.
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah."
"You expected something like this?"
Marcus looked at the broken lock.
"Not exactly."
The technician smiled faintly.
"I've been doing pool maintenance for seventeen years."
"And?"
"People do strange things around swimming pools."
Marcus laughed.
"That's one way to put it."
The technician shook his head.
"But I've never had seven adults ignore a closed gate."
Marcus looked at him.
"Neither have I."
The technician packed his equipment.
"The dye will be completely gone after the flush."
"Good."
"And nobody was harmed."
Marcus nodded.
"That's what matters."
The technician hesitated.
"Still, you should replace the gate latch with something stronger."
"I will."
"Maybe install a second camera."
Marcus smiled.
"Already have one."
The technician laughed.
"Of course you do."
Marcus went inside.
Danielle called immediately.
She had seen the camera alert on her phone.
"What happened?"
Marcus sighed.
"You saw it?"
"I saw seven people in the backyard."
"You saw the dye?"
"Marcus."
She laughed.
"I'm sorry."
"No, you aren't."
"Not even a little."
Marcus sat at the kitchen table.
"She broke the gate."
"I know."
"She brought six friends."
"I know."
"She told them the HOA gave her access."
Danielle was silent.
Then she said:
"She actually said that?"
"On camera."
"Good."
Marcus looked at her.
"Good?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because last time she could claim it was a misunderstanding."
Marcus nodded.
"Not this time."
"Exactly."
Danielle paused.
"Did the police come?"
"Yes."
"Did they see the footage?"
"Yes."
"Did they see the dye?"
"Yes."
"Then let her explain all of that."
Marcus smiled.
"That's the plan."
But Patricia wasn't planning to explain anything.
She was planning to fight.
By the next morning, Marcus received three emails.
The first came from Patricia personally.
The second came from the HOA board.
CHAPTER 6
The third came from Patricia's attorney.
The first claimed Marcus had intentionally contaminated the pool.
The second requested an emergency board hearing.
The third threatened legal action.
Marcus read all three.
Then forwarded them to his attorney.
His attorney called twenty minutes later.
"Don't respond."
"I wasn't going to."
"Good."
"Can she sue?"
"She can try."
"Does she have a case?"
"Not based on what you've shown me."
Marcus leaned back.
"What about the dye?"
"Was it non-toxic?"
"Yes."
"Was it used according to the manufacturer's instructions?"
"Yes."
"Was the pool closed?"
"Yes."
"Was the notice posted?"
"Yes."
"Then the dye isn't your problem."
Marcus nodded.
"What is?"
"Her admission."
"What admission?"
"She entered private property without permission."
Marcus looked at the security footage.
"She said she had HOA authority."
"Which she didn't."
"Exactly."
His attorney paused.
"There's another issue."
"What?"
"The six women."
Marcus frowned.
"What about them?"
"Get their statements."
"Why?"
"Because they heard Patricia say she had authority."
Marcus understood.
"If they admit that, it proves she wasn't acting alone."
"Correct."
Marcus contacted the women.
Three refused to speak.
Two agreed.
The sixth called him herself.
Her name was Cheryl.
She sounded embarrassed.
"I want to apologize."
Marcus said nothing.