The green tint made them look ridiculous.
But Marcus didn't laugh.
He understood something.
The dye wasn't a prank.
It wasn't a trap designed to humiliate anyone.
It was evidence.
Temporary.
Visible.
Documentable.
And impossible to explain away.
The technician photographed the marks.
The officer photographed the broken lock.
Marcus provided the maintenance record.
Then he showed the security footage.
The officer watched Patricia approaching the gate.
He watched her look around.
He watched her pull out the metal tool.
He watched her break the lock.
He watched her wave the women inside.
Then he watched all seven women enter.
Finally, he watched Marcus open the patio door.
The officer paused the video.
"That's pretty clear."
Marcus nodded.
Patricia stood nearby.
Her face was red.
"This is harassment."
The officer turned.
"Ma'am, nobody is harassing you."
"He intentionally put dye in the pool."
The technician corrected her.
"The dye was part of scheduled maintenance."
"You knew I'd enter."
Marcus looked at her.
"I didn't know what you would do."
Patricia stared at him.
"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.