My mother-in-law shaved my head while I slept on the very night the United States Army promoted me into one of the most important commands of my career.

A small beep.

Everyone froze.

The deputy turned toward the linen closet.

Another beep.

Sarah whispered, “What is that?”

Ryan moved too fast.

He lunged toward the closet, but the deputy stopped him with one arm.

“Don’t,” the deputy said.

Inside the closet, beneath towels Linda had folded with military precision despite never having served a day, sat a small black device plugged into a hidden outlet.

A signal booster.