"Oh, what's he going to do? Call somebody?"
She laughed.
Then slapped his phone downward as he picked it up.
The device struck the stone patio with a sharp clatter.
The homeowner immediately looked down.
His expression hardened.
"Do not touch me or my belongings again."
The brunette laughed nervously.
Then, apparently trying to prove she was not frightened, grabbed a folded towel from his lounge chair and threw it into the pool.
The towel hit the water with a heavy splash.
"Oops."
The HOA president grinned.
"Looks like your inspection just got more complicated."
The homeowner looked toward the floating towel.
Then toward the open gate.
Something inside him became remarkably still.
He was no longer surprised.
He was watching.
The blonde woman kicked a bright-blue inflatable pool float aside.
It slid across the patio and bumped into the stone coping.
Then she pointed toward her friends.
"Girls, enjoy yourselves."
The homeowner raised his voice.
"Don't get into that pool."
The three women stopped.
He continued.
"There was a circulation test this morning. The pool is closed."
The brunette looked worried.
"What kind of test?"
The homeowner glanced toward the maintenance notice.
"A documented water-flow inspection using a manufacturer-approved tracing material."
The blonde president laughed.
"Please."
She waved one hand.
"He's trying to scare us."
The homeowner shook his head.
"I'm warning you that the pool isn't open for swimming."
The woman in turquoise stepped onto the shallow entry shelf.
The water reached her ankles.
She grinned.
"Feels fine to me."
Then she waded deeper.
The brunette hesitated.
The HOA president looked toward her.
"Don't let him intimidate you."
For several seconds, the younger woman remained on the edge.
Then she lowered herself into the water.
The blonde president followed.
She entered slowly, spreading her arms as the water rose around her pink swimsuit.
Then she looked back at the homeowner.