He wanted to see whether the water itself could answer a question she'd refused to discuss.
Celeste didn't leave the water willingly.
Luke asked her three times.
The first time, she laughed.
The second, she accused him of harassing the HOA president.
The third, she threatened to file another violation notice.
But Luke refused to begin the diagnostic check while she remained in the pool.
He stood beside the concrete deck with his phone in one hand and the closed tracer bottle nearby.
"I'm not arguing about this anymore. Please get out."
Celeste stared.
"You're behaving like a child."
Luke looked toward the gate.
"You're on private property after being told not to enter. I can document that without having an argument."
For several seconds, she floated in silence.
Then she moved toward the steps, climbed out, and wrapped herself in a towel.
"Fine. Perform your little science experiment."
Luke looked toward the old wall fitting.
He positioned the phone so the relevant section of the pool was visible, then introduced the harmless tracer as planned.
The blue color spread slowly.
Then narrowed.
Then moved toward the fitting.
Luke froze.
He'd expected the tracer to help identify whether there was abnormal water movement.
But the flow was more distinct than he anticipated.
The water near the opening appeared to be moving into a concealed route.
He captured the movement on video.
Celeste stepped closer.
"What are you doing?"
Luke pointed toward the blue ribbon.
"Look."
She glanced at the water.
For an instant, her expression became completely blank.
Then she said, "Stop that."
Luke closed the bottle.
The tracer already in the pool continued moving.
He looked toward the fence.
Then toward Celeste.
"Who had work done on the old auxiliary line?"
Her face tightened.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Bluehaven worked on the HOA fountain."
"That's none of your business."
"Then why does something appear to be drawing water from my pool when the fountain's running?"
Celeste stepped backward.
For a moment, she seemed uncertain what to say.
Then she recovered her arrogance.
"You're making things up."
Luke nodded.
"Maybe. That's why I'm having the plumbing inspected."
Her eyes widened.
"You're not touching the shared equipment."
He looked directly at her.
"Shared with whom?"
Celeste stared.
Luke continued.
"The original owner says this was a private line. I own the pool. I haven't authorized anyone to connect it to the HOA's system."