Lisa got dressed, then began driving to a mall she’d discovered online that was in South Miami. It had great reviews for nursery furniture and maternity clothes.

Stopped at a light, she was overwhelmed by the throbbing music of the car behind her. The windows were tinted. The deafening bass vibrated against her, evolving into the pounding of unanswered questions.

What about Vida? Where is she? Are police still looking for her now that they’ve arrested Loften? Has she decided to stop threatening Jeff?

Did he sleep with her?

Will I ever know the truth?

The questions hammered in time with the music until a horn behind her blared. The light had changed. Lisa’s thoughts shifted, and she continued driving.

The mall had a variety of stores with a great selection. Lisa checked out changing tables, dressers, cribs and other baby gear like high chairs, strollers and car seats. She browsed in specialty shops looking at maternity and nursing bras and other maternity clothes: leggings, jeans, dresses and tops. She grew wistful.

Her dream of being a mother was coming true.

Yes, maybe Jeff’s right, she thought as she left the last shop. Maybe we will get through this. She was thinking that they should go out for dinner that evening. They could resume discussing how to put his big bonus to use. A nursery and setting up a college fund would be nice.

Lisa made her way out of the mall, thinking she should be looking at some new clothes for their upcoming trip to Europe, when she passed an appliance store with the TVs tuned to a local news station. A breaking-news banner stretched across the top of the screens. A reporter was standing at yellow tape in an empty dirt wasteland with several police vehicles behind him. His tie was lifting in the wind as he spoke into his microphone. Lisa could not hear what he was reporting as he pointed to a spot in the distance. The camera tightened on a large piece of heavy equipment and investigators clustered around a yellow sheet.

The information banner at the bottom of the screen said Body Unearthed near Miami Airport.

Lisa slowed but didn’t stop, thinking it looked like another murder in greater Miami. Tragic, she thought.

She didn’t dwell on the breaking story while driving home because she was pondering how she’d place the baby furniture. As she neared her block, she saw the Dillards getting out of their SUV in the driveway of their beautiful bungalow.

Lisa tapped her horn, waved, parked on the street and walked to them.

Nell was carrying a small canvas shopping bag. Roland gripped a heavy piece of equipment by the handle. Lisa guessed it was a small generator. His eyes gave her a quick once-over.

“Hi. Sorry to interrupt you,” Lisa said.

“You’re not,” Nell said. “We just picked up a few supplies.”