Anthony leaned back in his patio chair, the sirens still flashing beyond the fence, while Victoria Whitmore screamed at the officers about chemical attacks, lawsuits, and attempted murder. Her mascara had streaked down her cheeks, and her expensive white swimsuit looked ruined from the frantic scratching.
The taller officer raised a hand calmly.
“Ma’am, can you explain exactly what happened?”
Victoria pointed a trembling finger at Anthony like she was accusing a man in court.
“He poisoned the pool! He put something in the water to hurt us!”
Anthony took another slow sip of iced tea.
The officer turned toward him.
“Sir, did you put anything in the pool today?”
“Yes,” Anthony answered calmly. “Pool-grade itching powder. Non-toxic. Bought legally online. I spread it around the deck chairs and patio towels after months of repeated trespassing.”
Victoria gasped dramatically.
“You admitted it!”
“Correction,” Anthony said evenly. “I treated my private property after your family ignored repeated warnings and illegally entered my yard again.”
The younger officer frowned.
“Wait… the powder wasn’t actually in the water?”
Anthony shook his head.
“Nope. Mostly on the lounge chairs, towels, and the gate latch they keep climbing over.”
The officer looked at the scratching crowd now realizing the pool itself hadn’t caused the irritation.
One teenage boy muttered, “Oh my God…”
Another whispered, “I told you we shouldn’t come back here.”
Victoria spun toward them furiously.
“Don’t say a word!”
But it was too late.
Anthony calmly walked to the patio table and placed down a thick folder.
“Actually, officers, I’d like to report ongoing trespassing and harassment.”
Victoria’s expression cracked for the first time.
Inside the folder were printed photographs, timestamps, screenshots of texts, HOA notices, and weeks of camera footage. Every illegal entry. Every pool party. Every insult. Every HOA fine issued shortly after her family used his property.
The officers spent nearly twenty minutes reviewing everything.
And with every page they turned, Victoria’s confidence drained further.
The older officer finally looked at her.