Kind Offers

In 2062, organized crime was a distant memory in Columbia. Few know how it really ended.

Bogata’s last crime lords all dropped off the map in the poor neighborhood of Vista Despejada. That power vacuum brought up-and-coming crime lord Thiago Escavedo into Camila’s Needlepoint Shop. He grinned at the old woman working industriously. He hadn’t even bothered bringing his henchmen. The old crone would sell her shop for pennies just like the other businesses on Rio Carlo Ave.

“I’ll give you 1,000 pesos for your shop,” said Thiago to Camila. “And then I will let your family live.” He grinned malevolently. “Trust me. It’s a kind offer.”

“Of course, Dearie,” said eighty-year old Camila, offering no resistance. “Let me find the deed.”

As she rummaged, Thiago examined a peculiar hanging quilt. Red stains splashed all over it.

“Abstract art on a quilt?” snorted Thiago. “What was your inspiration?”

Behind him, Camila finished screwing the silencer on her 9mm pistol. “Oh, just the last men who made kind offers.”
_____________________________________
Written for What Pegman Saw: https://whatpegmansaw.com/2017/07/08/bogota-columbia/