We sent a message back to the number: "Plaza. Fountain. One hour. Come alone. We see anyone else, we run and the real documents go public."
The plaza was unnervingly quiet for a Friday night. The neon lights felt accusing. Luna was with us, a barely visible guardian angel, her energy focused, making the lights around the fountain flicker erratically, adding to the tense atmosphere.
Vega came alone. He walked with the calm confidence of a man who had done this a hundred times. He held no weapon, but his presence was threat enough. Ms. Liza walked beside him, her arm held firmly but not roughly. Her eyes were wide with fear, but she held her head high.
I stepped out from the shadows, holding the decoy bundle. "Let her go."
Vega's hawk-like eyes scanned the area. "Where's the other one? The tech boy."
"He's nearby. With a copy. If I don't signal him in five minutes, he sends it."
It was a bluff on top of a bluff. Vega's smile was thin, cold. "Smart kids." He gave Ms. Liza a slight push forward. She stumbled toward me.
I threw the decoy bundle at his feet. He picked it up, never taking his eyes off me. "This had better be everything."
He backed away, melting into the shadows. The moment he was gone, we grabbed Ms. Liza and ran.