"It doesn't need to be."
Deputy Harris looked at me.
I handed him another document.
"The county survey from when I purchased the property."
He compared the two documents.
Then he walked toward the fence.
Karen followed him.
"No, no, you're looking in the wrong place."
Deputy Harris stopped.
"Ma'am, please stay back."
Karen ignored him.
She pointed at the pool.
"That pool is mine."
Deputy Harris sighed.
"Even if there were a property dispute, that doesn't automatically make this a criminal matter."
Karen's expression hardened.
"He drained it!"
"Yes."
"That's destruction of property!"
Deputy Harris looked at me.
"Did you drain it?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because the liner was damaged, and I was preparing to have the pool inspected."
Karen shouted.
"That's a lie!"
I pulled out my phone.
"I have the contractor's appointment confirmation."
Karen went silent.
For the first time that morning, she looked nervous.
But she wasn't finished.
The Hidden Problem
Deputy Harris asked why I believed Karen had entered my backyard.
I showed him the security footage.
His expression changed immediately.
The video showed Karen entering through my gate.
She wasn't carrying anything.
Twenty minutes later, she walked out.
The next morning, the pool was empty.
Deputy Harris looked at Karen.
"Did you enter his backyard last night?"
Karen's answer came quickly.
"I had permission."
"From whom?"
She paused.
"From the previous owner."
"When?"
"Years ago."
"Do you have that permission in writing?"
"No."
Deputy Collins looked at me.
"Did you give her permission?"
"Absolutely not."