Elena wiped a fresh tear from her pale cheek.
Elena: She lost her expensive diamond ring in the pool.
Elena: She told me earlier she was terrified of you knowing.
Elena: She said you would be angry if she lost it.
David remembered buying that ring three weeks ago.
It was an antique diamond worth eighty thousand dollars.
He had told her to wear it only for special events.
David: Did she drop the ring into the water first?
Elena: Yes, while she was sitting by the edge alone.
Elena: She could not swim well enough to get it back.
Elena: So she staged an accident to cover her mistake.
Elena: She knew if the baby went in, everyone would panic.
Elena: Nobody would ask why her dress got wet later.
Elena: And she could pretend the ring slipped off during rescue.
David felt a deep rush of anger take over his mind.
He could hardly believe a person could be so heartless.
She risked his infant child's life for an expensive ring.
She tried to ruin an innocent worker's life to save face.
David: Did you dive straight into the deep end after him?
Elena: I didn't even stop to take off my shoes.
Elena: I grabbed the stroller frame before it hit bottom.
Elena: I pushed it up to the surface with all my strength.
Elena: Victoria reached down from the deck and grabbed him.
Elena: Then she screamed for you and blamed me completely.
David stood up from the wooden chair with quiet purpose.
David: Stay here in your room until morning, Elena.
David: You are not fired, and you are not alone.
David: I am going to find that diamond ring right now.
He walked out of the basement and through the kitchen.
He stepped out into the cool dark night by the pool.
The water was calm and still under the overhead lights.
He took off his leather shoes and his grey shirt.
He grabbed a underwater flash light from the storage shed.
He dropped into the clear blue water without a sound.
He swam straight to the deep drain at the bottom center.
The bright light beam swept across the blue floor tiles.
Near the main drain grate, something sparkled brilliantly.
It was the large antique diamond engagement ring.
He reached down and grabbed the heavy gold band firmly.
He kicked his legs hard and pulled himself to the surface.