Jet was long overdue for her check-in with Nigel—several hours overdue, by Nigel’s calculations. Nigel brought up his Find Friends app to try to find her last known location. There must be a good explanation for why Jet wasn’t responding; it wasn’t like her to go dark. The app showed her last known location—Newport Harbor—over two hours ago. Nigel picked up his phone and texted Cassidy.

Have you heard from Jet?

No response. After several minutes, Nigel was about to give up when he heard his phone chirp.

I thought she was working with you, Cassidy texted.

She was at a coffee shop, Nigel replied. Last I heard from her was over two hours ago.

Hold on. Let me call her mother.

Nigel resumed checking his packet trace, and network activity increased tenfold to EIA. This doesn’t make sense! Nigel thought. The border gateway protocol (BGP) routers were sending traffic away from the ISPs and toward EIA; this was highly suspect.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Nigel checked his email: nothing! It was at least a half day since he’d reported the suspicious activity to the authorities.

Nigel was about to give up on Cassidy and text Milo when he heard his phone chirp.

Jet’s mother hasn’t heard from her in hours. She was missing when she returned to the coffee shop. She called the police!

The police will most likely tell her to wait twenty-four hours before filing a missing person’s report, Nigel texted back.

I think we need to find her. I have a bad feeling.

My mother is also missing. She went to Better Buy Computers hours ago and hasn’t returned, Nigel texted.

I’m with Natasha, John, and Milo. We just tried searching for your mom. It may be nothing, but there was a major accident on the interstate.

My mother usually takes the side roads.

Well, that’s it, Nigel. John was talking to her earlier. Her phone cut out, but she said she was taking the interstate home, Cassidy texted.

Nigel didn’t respond.

Several minutes later, Cassidy sent another text. We’re coming over with Milo.

Okay, see you soon, Nigel wrote.

Nigel looked out the window. The sky was darkening. Night was falling. Where is Mom? She should have been back by now! Where is Jet?

And as if all of that wasn’t enough, his laptop’s battery finally died.