Trapped in the Pool with a BROKEN ARM and I AM DONE Chapter 04
Brielle cautiously studied Everett’s face, searching for any sign that he believed the caller.
“Everett, what happened?”
“Who was calling?”
Everett shoved the powered-off phone deep into his pocket, his voice filled with contempt.
“Another actor Maren hired.”
“He claimed to be a police officer and said she had drowned.”
“Does she think everyone is as stupid as she is?”
Brielle covered her mouth and widened her eyes in apparent shock.
“How could Maren joke about something like that?”
“No one should lie about life and death.”
“Everett, she really went too far this time.”
Everett gave a dismissive snort.
“I spoiled her, and now she thinks she can do anything she wants.”
“She assumes that one dramatic stunt will make me come running back to beg like a dog.”
Brielle wrapped both hands around his arm and gave it a gentle, pleading shake.
“Maybe we should still go back and check.”
“If her scene disrupts the park’s business, the owner will probably blame you.”
“I’ll apologize to her and ask her to stop.”
Looking at Brielle’s sweet, considerate expression, Everett’s emotional balance tipped completely in her favor.
“You’re far too kind.”
“All right. I’ll take you back.”
“I want to see what kind of performance she puts on when we arrive together.”
The two of them walked back toward the water park side by side beneath the fading storm.
Long before they reached the entrance, they saw a dense crowd packed around the deep end.
Red and blue emergency lights flashed harshly beneath the clearing sky.
Yellow police tape had been pulled tight around the entire wave-pool area.
Several uniformed officers were controlling the crowd.
Everett’s steps faltered for one brief moment, but his usual arrogant confidence quickly returned.
“She certainly made it look convincing.”
Holding Brielle’s hand, he strode toward the police line.
Marcus spotted Everett immediately.
With red-rimmed eyes, he rushed through the crowd and seized Everett violently by the collar.
“Everett! What the hell is wrong with you?”
“What were you doing while Maren was fighting for her life?”
Everett forcefully shoved Marcus away, then calmly smoothed the wrinkles from his uniform collar.
“Marcus, have you lost your mind?”
“Did Maren convince you to join her performance too?”
“Where is she? Tell her to get out here.”
“She needs to stop hiding behind everyone else.”
Marcus’s entire body shook with rage as he pointed toward the white sheet beside the wave pool.
“Are you blind?”
“She’s lying right there!”
Everett followed Marcus’s pointing hand.
A clearly human form lay motionless on top of a blue waterproof emergency tarp.
A glaring white sheet covered the body.
The medical examiner and a police investigator stood nearby, quietly documenting the condition of the body.
Everett froze briefly, then gave a scornful laugh.
“She even found a sheet to cover herself. Nice touch.”
“Maren, haven’t you dragged this out long enough?”
He abruptly released Brielle’s hand and strode over the police tape before anyone could stop him.
An officer reached out to stop him.
“Sir, this is an active scene. Step back.”
Everett pointed toward the covered body, his tone openly mocking.
“Officer, you’ve been deceived.”
“The person under that sheet is my girlfriend.”
“She isn’t dead. She’s pretending because she wants to punish me.”
“I’ll make her get up and apologize to all of you.”
Ignoring the officer’s warning and outstretched arm, he bent down and ripped back the sheet.
My eyes were half open, but the pupils had already gone dull and unfocused.
They stared silently back at him.
