“We go out when she’s up to it. We’ll go shopping, take a walk, go to dinner or see a movie, that sort of thing. Depending how she feels.”

“Is she in any pain?”

“At times. Her drugs help, but some days nothing helps. You know, she was thinking of having you guys over for dinner sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

Then they talked a little about the investigation, with Dillard saying he’d heard the detectives were working hard on a few leads. By the time Dillard’s cup was empty, Jeff had completed the application, and the two men left.

“Palm Mirage Creek, as you probably know, is unincorporated. Doesn’t have its own police department and is covered by Miami-Dade.”

Dillard wheeled his SUV from Jeff’s driveway to take him through the neighborhood as an emergency scanner mounted under the dash spurted out transmissions.

Jeff felt like he was riding in a patrol car.

“Now—” Dillard lowered the scanner’s volume “—I’m required to give this spiel about how watch members are only the extra eyes and ears of police, that we’re to report any suspicious activities to 9-1-1 and never take action. But I’m telling you, we draw the line if a life’s at risk.”

He looked at Jeff for agreement. Jeff nodded.

“We patrol twenty-four seven, we use radios, we wear reflective vests so you know it’s us out there as we watch for suspected criminal activity. And some of us are armed.” Dillard opened the console between the seats to show his holstered handgun. “You with me so far, Jeff?”

“I am.”

“There are regular community meetings with Miami-Dade that cover this, but since I’m a block captain, you’re as good as deputized.” Dillard winked.

In this introductory tour, they rolled along streets arched with tall shade trees, with Dillard noting the banyans, oaks, palms and occasional orange trees. Contemporary houses and those built in the Mediterranean Revival style of architecture sat on landscaped yards.

“Your night shift is coming up, so I’m going to let you in on something, given how it relates to what happened to you and Lisa.”

“What’s that?”

“My sources tell me that the investigators have a few theories based on their analysis of similar crimes here and in surrounding cities and counties.”

“What’re they?”

“The no-brainer is the burglars target homes without security systems and may go online to search for people who may be away.”

“All right.”

“Since your incident, they’ve been working with us and residents to set up bait houses.”

“Bait houses?”

“A couple of homes without security systems are currently vacant, their residents away. We’ve advertised that fact on social media, citing vacations, sabbaticals in Europe, extended medical leaves, and hinting—lying, actually—that the homes have valuables—coin collections, jewels, that sort of thing. We have the agreement of the homeowners.”

“To draw the burglars there.”