Then at Patricia.
Then at the tool lying on the stone beside the gate.
For several seconds, he didn't say anything.
Patricia seemed to enjoy the silence.
She leaned farther back against the pool wall and spread her arms.
"Beautiful morning, isn't it?"
Marcus walked barefoot across the patio.
He stopped at the edge of the pool.
"What are you doing in my backyard?"
Patricia laughed.
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"You broke the lock."
"I opened a gate."
"You broke the lock."
"It was a cheap lock."
Marcus looked at her.
"You entered my property without permission."
Patricia's smile widened.
"Your lock didn't stop me. This neighborhood pool is mine whenever I want it."
Marcus felt the anger rise immediately.
But beneath the anger was something else.
Something colder.
The pool.
He glanced toward the equipment enclosure.
A small laminated warning tag hung from the pump control panel.
It was bright yellow.
Marcus had seen it earlier that morning.