“If it’s not here, where is it?” I asked.

“It’s transmitting from a residential address three miles from here,” the officer said.

Daniel looked away, his jaw tightening.

The officer tapped the screen, zooming in on the blue dot.

“The IP address associated with the login attempt is registered to a private residence,” the officer continued.

I looked at the location on the screen, recognizing the intersection.

The realization hit me like a physical blow.

“That’s my mother-in-law’s neighborhood,” I said.

General Hayes looked at me, his eyes narrowing.

“Your mother-in-law?” he asked.

“Patricia,” I said. “She lives on Oakcrest Drive.”

The officer checked his notes on the screen.

“The billing name on the IP address is Patricia Vance,” the officer confirmed.

Daniel took a step backward toward the kitchen.

“This is a mistake,” Daniel said, his voice rising in panic. “My mother doesn’t know anything about computers.”

“Then why is my military laptop at her house?” I demanded, stepping toward him.

“I don’t know,” Daniel stammered. “Maybe you left it there. You visit her.”

“I haven’t been to Patricia’s house in six months,” I said.