What did I see streaking across the sky last night?
It could have been an Iridium Satellite.  Their solar panels are at an angle such that the sun reflects off them causing them to look like a bright flash that crosses the sky for a few seconds.  I use a site called Heavens Above that allows you to enter your exact location so you can see what objects appear above, at what time and in what direction.  Check that site out and see if any Iridium pass over there.