“Oh my God.” Lisa’s hands were shaking as she covered her mouth.

“Reddick said they think he’s heading for Georgia.” Jeff rubbed his head. “I can’t believe he escaped.”

“I just got a text,” Dillard said. He continued, reading from his phone, “‘As a precaution, Miami-Dade will increase patrols of Palm Mirage Creek. We’ll also make sure the neighborhood-watch team is extra vigilant.’”

“Good.” Lisa let out a slow breath.

“Don’t worry, they’ll capture him,” Dillard said.

“You don’t look so well, Lisa,” Nell said. “You sure I can’t get you anything?”

“No, I’m just a little woozy from too much wine.”

“Me, too. We should be going.” Jeff stood but steadied himself on the sofa arm.

“I’ll drive you,” Dillard said.

“Why? We walked over. We’re around the block,” Jeff said.

“We’ll drive you,” Nell said. “You both seem a little dizzy. We don’t want you falling and cracking your heads. No arguments. I’ll go with you.”

Jeff and Lisa climbed into the back of Dillard’s SUV, with Roland at the wheel and Nell beside him. After everyone’s door was closed, all the locks snapped shut. Lisa thought she saw Nell give Roland a worried look, but she couldn’t be sure.

Then the neighborhood rolled by their windows in the night.

Feeling light-headed, Lisa was grateful to be driven home. Despite their polite protests that it wasn’t necessary, Nell and Roland walked with Lisa and Jeff to their front door where Jeff punched in their entry code. Roland and Nell entered with them, stopping in the foyer.

“We just want to be sure you rearm your system properly,” Dillard said.

Key tones sounded as Jeff, blinking several times, rearmed their home-security system. Once completed, the Dillards said their goodbyes, with Nell hugging Lisa.

“Get some rest, dear. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

Lisa nodded.

“They’ll likely capture Loften tonight,” Dillard said.

“Thanks for the lovely dinner,” Lisa said.

“Yeah, thanks,” Jeff added.

Gripping the banister, they climbed up the stairs.

In the bedroom, they lost their balance a few times as they removed their clothes, crawled naked into bed, then switched off the lights.

“I overdid it on the wine,” Lisa said, sighing.

“I lost count of the Heinekens I had,” Jeff said. “I’m so beat.”

“Oh no,” Lisa said.

“What?” Jeff groaned.

“I’m pretty sure I’m ovulating. We should try, but I don’t think I can.”

“Lisa, I’m drunk, and I don’t know if I… I’m so…”

Lisa’s head was spinning. The bed became her pool mattress floating on sparkling water, taking her into sleep. Floating, floating as liquid thoughts and images swirled.