But at 2:37 AM, sanity is a flexible concept.

“Okay, Ralink,” Leo whispered to the glowing screen. “It’s just you and me.”

He needed that Bluetooth.

Leo had tried everything. He’d let Windows Update search for hours. He’d downloaded sketchy driver packs from sites with names like drivers-free-download-now.ru . He’d even tried forcing the old Windows 8.1 drivers, which resulted in a glorious Blue Screen of Death—the digital equivalent of the laptop coughing up a lung.

He fetched a tiny Phillips head screwdriver. His roommate snored in the bunk above. Leo unscrewed the access panel, located the small, green card with “Ralink RT3290” printed on it in gold lettering. He disconnected the two antenna wires (they clicked off with a delicate pop ), and slid the card out of its slot.