Then one of her children shouted that somebody had cheated at the board game.
My sister groaned.
And the conversation turned into an argument about rules, dice, and whether moving backward counted as cheating.
For a while, the backyard filled with laughter.
That was what I wanted.
Not conflict.
Not lawsuits.
Not cameras recording trespass.
Just a place where family could gather without fear.
The following afternoon, Patricia would dump fertilizer into the same water beside which we had been laughing.
And I would realize how close we had come to inviting children into a pool that someone was preparing to contaminate.
Saturday morning began normally.
I woke around seven.
Made coffee.
Checked several work emails.
Then went outside to clean the patio.
The weather forecast promised another hot afternoon.
The sky was clear.
A light breeze moved through the desert landscaping.
I brushed leaves from the pool deck.
Checked the skimmer baskets.
Reviewed the pool equipment readings.
And called my sister to ask whether the children wanted to come swimming the following weekend.
She laughed.
"You're planning a week ahead now?"
I smiled.
"Trying something new."
"Good. Maybe it'll involve taking an actual day off."
I looked toward the water.
"That's the plan."
After the call, I made breakfast.
Then changed into gray swimming trunks.
I left my phone on the shaded patio table, within reach but away from the water.
I had already confirmed that the security system was working.
I wasn't expecting Patricia.
I wasn't trying to lure her into anything.
I just wanted to swim.
A little after one, I stepped into the pool.
The water was cool against the desert heat.
For the first time all week, the tension in my shoulders began easing.
I floated on my back.
Looked toward the sky.
And allowed myself to think about absolutely nothing.
Then my phone vibrated.
I climbed toward the side steps and glanced at the screen.
A message from the association management office.
Emergency inspection pending.
I stared.
No appointment.
No explanation.
Just those three words.
I took a screenshot.
Then sent the message to my attorney.
I was about to put the phone down when another notification appeared.
A short message from the detective.
He asked me to confirm whether I was home and whether I had received any new contact from the association.
I answered that I was home, the pool was clear, and I had just received an unexplained inspection notice.
He acknowledged the message.
Then said that deputies were in the area and that I should contact emergency services if anyone attempted unlawful entry or caused damage.
I placed the phone beside a dry towel.
Then returned to the water.
I didn't understand why the timing seemed so urgent.
But I trusted the detective's caution.
Ten minutes later, I heard Patricia's SUV stop outside.
Then footsteps.