The message spread faster than Caleb expected. Within an hour, the network was buzzing. Low-level players started asking questions, whispers turning into speculation. The moment someone mentioned Malik's name in the wrong place, it was only a matter of time before he took notice.
Lyra monitored the activity, her fingers drumming against the desk. "He's seen it."
Caleb stood still, waiting. "How do you know?"
Lyra turned the screen toward him. "His people are moving. He pulled one of his lieutenants off routine surveillance. That means he's reassigning them."
Caleb smirked slightly. "That means he's nervous."
Lyra nodded. "Nervous people make mistakes."
Caleb's mind worked through the possibilities. Malik wouldn't act immediately. He'd dig first, try to trace the leak back to its source. But the way they'd structured the message, there was no direct trail. Only an implication. A nudge toward the idea that someone inside the syndicate had uncovered something they weren't supposed to.
Lyra glanced at him. "What's the next step?"
Caleb exhaled. "We wait for him to react. And when he does, we make sure he reacts to the wrong target."
Lyra arched a brow. "You're setting someone up."
Caleb's expression didn't change. "I'm making sure he looks in the wrong direction."
Lyra studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Let's hope he takes the bait."
Caleb adjusted his jacket, checking the weight of the weapon hidden beneath it. "He will."