“Really?” Lisa said, heartened. “That many people were out helping?”

“You bet,” Tripp said. “This is a tight community with good people who help each other. That’s why we’re adding extra patrols around your block.”

Lisa didn’t know what to say about the unexpected support.

“How are you holding up?” Judson asked her.

Lisa took a moment. “To be honest, I’m still shaky.”

“Well, that’s one of the reasons we’re here,” Judson said. “We have professional crisis experts who live near you, if you want to talk to anyone.”

“Thanks,” Lisa nodded.

Judson put her coffee down, withdrew her phone from her pocket and began scrolling. “Lisa, can you give me your email or number? I’ll send you a list of names and numbers. I also have contacts for the community-watch captains, doctors, pharmacies, churches, jogging trails, lawyers, shops, all organized and in some cases rated with comments.”

“Thank you, but I think my phone’s broken,” Lisa said.

“Send it to me,” Jeff offered and gave Judson his personal email.

“You don’t have a home-security system, do you?” Dillard said.

“No, the installers are behind schedule and will come in a couple of days,” Jeff said.

“Couple of days? What’s the company?”

“Zolpatz Security.”

“Zolpatz?” Dillard stuck out his bottom lip. “They’re not the best. Forgive me for imposing, but if you like, I can see about getting a topflight installer here in two hours to take care of everything today.”

“Two hours?” Lisa said.

“I can make some calls, if you would like.”

Jeff looked at Lisa, and they both nodded. “Yes, please,” Jeff said.

Dillard took out his phone, stepped away to use it. He was well built for an older man, reminding Lisa of her father, a take-charge guy who kept in shape.

“I know this is a bad time,” Judson said to her. “But give some thought to joining us at the homeowners’ association. It’s a fifty-dollar-a-year membership fee but comes with all kinds of discounts on restaurants, services. You get a newsletter to keep you informed on meetings and events, and there’s information about our neighborhood-watch team. Right now we’re running a fund to plant more shade trees in the neighborhood.”

“I don’t know…” Lisa said.

“Just think about it. It’s also a good way to get to know more people here, feel connected.”

Tripp joined in. “And you can join the watch through the association. We’d love to have you, too, Jeff. Usually people take a short night shift with a small team whenever they can.”

“Thanks, but I’m kinda tied up with my new job.”

“Where’s that?” Tripp asked.

“Downtown with Asgaard-T-Chace,” he said. “Advertising.”

“Ahh,” Tripp said. “What about you, Lisa?”

“I work at home. Telecommute with my old company in Cleveland.”