Charles bolted off down the street, and I sprang forward instinctively as well, but then quickly realized it was pointless, as he quickly outstripped me.
Instead, I crouched and removed the rock from the manila envelope and grabbed it, then straightened up as a cry came from the street in front of me.
Someone had stepped out of an alley as the figure in black was running past. Both were already struggling and then slumping to the ground. When the new figure straightened up, I saw the flash a knife.
I began to run toward the masked figure now on their back on the pavement. Charles was about to grab the back of the assailant's collar as he hopped on a motorbike, but they darted away just out of reach. Charles continued to chase them around the corner and out of sight.
I crouched next to
