I looked across the street.

Detective Arispe was talking on his radio, his eyes scanning the windows of the second floor.

Another police cruiser pulled up without its sirens on, parking blockades-style behind the building.

Two uniformed officers got out, their hands resting near their utility belts.

My heart hammered against my ribs, loud enough that I wondered if Marisol could hear it.

“They are moving in,” Marisol whispered.

I watched the officers split up.

Two went toward the back stairs, while Arispe and his partner started up the front concrete steps.

The sun reflected off the metal railings, casting long shadows across the stucco walls.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my hand.

A new notification appeared on the screen.

*Device ‘SmartOven_01’ disconnected.*

“He turned it off,” I said, my voice rising.

“Did he see them?” Marisol asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. “The signal is gone.”

I looked back at the apartment building.

Arispe had reached the door of unit 204.

He knocked loudly, his hand flat against the wood.

Even from across the street, I could hear the faint thudding sound of his fist.