Dogtag

Nico

(Felix P.O.V)

The phone's ringing.

"Garcia residence", I answer.

"Is Nico there?" a voice says.

"Depends who's calling. Name?"

"Just tell him it's his 50G guy, alright?"

I sigh. "He's out at the moment. I'll tell him you called".

I hang up and walk into the kitchen to pour a drink. On the counter is an open briefcase bursting with stacked hundred dollar bills inside.

This isn't an unusual sight, living with my Uncle Nico. He's the head of the South American drugs trade and here in his Brazilian beach house, we often get guys swing by with truckfuls of cash and a want for some good stuff.

I don't like his choice of business as I know it's a shady one, with rival dealing leaders or any competition posing a danger to him and even me, but I don't have any other family so I'm stuck with my Uncle. After growing up in various care homes, orphanages, foster homes etc. I moved in with Nico for stability but he was my last choice, being a notorious criminal. I've been here for the last year and I don't care for him much or his business but I stay out of his way to be respectful for his letting me be here and the reassurance that he's not hurting anyone.

I take a wander into his study upstairs. There are cupboards with combination locks, a huge desks filled with papers, cash, clear bags and a set of scales.

I sit in the leather desk chair and spin idly, thinking about how different my life could have been if I didn't live with the leader of a corrupt, violence-dominated business. 

One day, my uncle wants me to take over the business, keep it in the family, you know, but as soon as I'm of age, I'm out of here. I don't want a life of corruption and blood money.

My eyes glance over the desk phone and the new voice mails on it- 13 unread ones. Nico doesn't hide much from me- he's usually pretty straight with me and that's how I know he's not one of the really bad guys.

The voicemail begins playing and a woman's voice begins to speak.

"Nico. They're onto us. They know you gave the order for Luiz's daughter to be taken until he got you your money. We don't have much longer. Sort it out, because if the feds find out, you're going away for a very long time".

I sit up and replay it again, concentrating.

What the hell is she on about? Nico wouldn't have a girl kidnapped. Or would he? The message is nearing its end when I hear the front door click open and the man himself come in.

"Felix! I'm back. Any calls for me?"

I have to be straight with him, right? There's gotta be an explanation for this. My Uncle is in a lot of shady deals with plenty of cash involved but he wouldn't have anything to do with hostages or their deaths.

I head downstairs into the open plan kitchen and take a seat at the island counter.

"Yeah, your 50G guy and some voice mail warning you about the girl you had taken, Nico?" I say, watching him for a reaction.

He breezes past my question and coolly replies "Alright and that was taken care of. We held her for a total of 8 minutes and reunited her with her father straight after, safe and sound. Just sped up the transaction is all".

He takes a puff on his pipe and smiles at me. I don't return it but I accept his explanation: he's never lied to me before so I believe him.

"Whatever. What time is your guy coming?"