The officers stepped inside cautiously, surveying the scene. I watched from the hallway, my anxiety twisting into a knot. But there was no hidden man, no evidence of an intruder. Instead, something unexpected awaited us.

On the bathroom counter lay a small device, something that looked like a smartphone. Daniela, seeing the confusion on our faces, explained with a soft chuckle. “It’s a voice assistant,” she said, pointing to the device. “I’ve been using it to practice my English and listen to podcasts while I shower.”