Enrique Mendoles sat strapped down to a wooden chair. He tried his best to get comfortable, but the sharp stub of a nail near his crotch and the bloodstains on which he sat distracted him.
Mendoles knew from experience that in his business, once captured, brutal torture and a slow death would follow. Body parts would be mailed to family members, presuming they were not also to be killed. Rumor was that these Edens were too soft for such measures, but he was smart enough to realize they could always hire non-Edens to do their dirty work.
But I won’t go out like a coward, thought Enrique. I’ll keep my pride no matter what happens.
Spooky walked in and sat across from the heavy man.
“You have no idea what you have done,” said Enrique. “There is no place you or your family can hide that my people will not find you. Rest assured that no matter what happens to me, you will never have a fearless night again for the remainder of your short life.”
Spooky dismissed his words with a wave of his hand. “Cease your useless threats. You have sent two assassins to kill Chairman Markis, correct? The other cartels who follow your lead have sent others.”
Enrique didn’t answer, only spat on the floor.
“I can only presume that you do this due to fear that Markis’ cooperation with the Colombian government will hurt your business.”
“It already has,” said Enrique, sneering at Spooky. “Go on and do to me whatever you’re going to do.”
“All in due time. This is important, so let’s not rush things.”
“Piss off, gringo,” said Enrique.
Spooky’s face twisted in mock confusion. “I’m not sure it’s accurate to call a Vietnamese highlander a gringo, but I understand the misplaced sentiment.” His face hardened. “I want all attempts on Chairman Markis or anyone else associated with the Free Communities to stop.”
Enrique began to laugh. “Now why would I do that?”
“Two very important reasons,” said Spooky. “First of all, I can ensure the security and continued sale of your product. In fact, I can assure you that if you see reason you will be freed, and become even richer than you already are.”
The tied up man stopped laughing immediately. “How?”
“I have resources and influence. I can even help with distribution through North America.”
“In exchange for a cut in the profits, I presume.”
“Actually, no,” said Spooky. “You will guarantee no further attacks on Free Communities personnel. You will also sell none of your product inside Colombia, or any other nation that joins the Free Communities. In return, you will have my full assistance and support.”
“Why?” asked Enrique, appearing to become genuinely curious.
“Because that will allow me to get the Colombian government off your back. They will see this as a win, and all you have to do is keep your business your business.”
“How can you promise these things? I don’t even know who you are.”
“That’s the way I like it. But now that we’ve met…you may call me Mister Winter.” Spooky waved a hand and wiggled his fingers as if scattering something. “I want you to make it snow…but only where I choose.”
“What else do you want?” asked Enrique.
“I will direct you to send a certain percentage of your product to locations in the United States and avoid other areas there. Don’t worry, there will be no loss of profit to you.”
“Again, why?” asked Enrique.
“Because the Free Communities and the United States are not the best of friends right now,” said Spooky. “Your product will hopefully help keep the norteamericanos preoccupied with other things besides hunting down and killing Edens. That will mean shipping the product to Unionist controlled areas, and avoiding non-Unionist areas. I want their hands full with their own problems, and to discredit them if possible.”
Enrique mused for a few minutes, before eventually nodding sharply. “I like what you’re laying down. I think we might be able to do business. But you mentioned two reasons I would cut a deal. Is there another one?”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot.” Spooky waved toward one of his aides, who brought a laptop and a tiny table to set in front of Enrique. He then hit a button and walked away.
Enrique’s eyes widened as a video ran, tinny sounds proceeding from the speaker.
“I trust you recognize your man?” said Spooky.
“Razor,” said Enrique through clenched teeth. The video looped at the point where the hammer was pounding the nail into the wood and the man on the video screamed.
“That was filmed right here,” said Spooky conversationally. “As a matter of fact, I think that’s the same chair.” He leaned forward and stared down at the wood below Mendoles’ crotch. “Yes, that’s it. See the base of the nail and the blood?”
“You sick bastards,” whispered Enrique.
“Oh, come now,” said Spooky. “We both know that you have had your people do much worse to people far more innocent. This man was evil, a serial torturer and murderer. If you will simply look at this objectively, you will notice the sheer artistry of our methods. We obtained the identity of your insider without even having to kill him or harm his sister.”
“Would you have?” asked Enrique with what seemed, to Spooky, manufactured anger. “As an Eden, could you have?”
Spooky’s mouth twitched. “I can do what needs to be done, or find someone else to do it for me. Now, I need to hear you say you will do as I tell you.”
“How am I supposed to sell this to my people? They won’t look favorably on working for a bunch of Edens.”
“Then don’t think of it that way,” said Spooky, spreading his hands. “Tell them you negotiated a deal that gets the Colombian government off your back and opens new distribution channels in the U.S. All you had to give up is your attacks on FC personnel and selling locally. Your people will see that as a win.”
Enrique mimed mulling this over for a few seconds, but Spooky could see the man had already decided to agree. “I think that will work. It’s not like I really have a choice anyway, is it?”
“Oh, you have a choice,” said Spooky. “There’s always the hard road.”
“What makes you think I won’t simply go back on my deal? You know, once I’m safe again and out of your clutches.”
“Only this,” said Spooky. He pulled a small pistol from a shoulder holster inside his jacket and shot the man in the thigh.
Enrique screamed. “What the hell was that for? I thought we had an agreement.”
“We do,” said Spooky, “Let’s just call it insurance. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. More than fine, in fact.” He checked his watch. “Give it ten minutes.”
Once that time had passed, Enrique stared at his leg in amazement. The wound had already begun to heal, and the ceramic fragments were being pushed out of the skin to drop onto the floor.
“It’s something new we developed,” said Spooky. “Nonlethal rounds that also infect the target with the Eden virus.”
“The Eden virus?” said Enrique, stunned. “You didn’t!”
“Oh, yes. I did.”
“You bastard.”
“Why does everyone want to question my parentage?” said Spooky. “But you might want to keep this a little secret between us. I understand in the criminal underworld, being an Eden might ruin your street cred as a cold-blooded murderous thug. All you have to do is keep acting scary and barbaric. That shouldn’t be so hard.”
Enrique hung his head and uttered a string of gutter curses.
“Don’t look so melancholy,” said Spooky. “You entered thinking you were going to be tortured to death and you leave with a deal to assure the stability of your business…and immortality as well.”
“If we’re done, can I go now?”
“Certainly,” said Spooky, turning to his henchmen. “Let’s cut our new partner loose.”
Two came forward and sliced through the duct tape and flex cuffs.
“And get him some new pants,” said Spooky. “All that blood and the hole might be hard to explain without the wound. I think we have some that color in the back. What are you, a forty-five, forty-six?”
“Forty-four,” said Enrique sulkily.
“Well, you’ll be down a few belt sizes soon enough, Gordo. One of the benefits of the virus. Better start exercising or eating less in public so you don’t draw suspicion.”
“Just let me out of here,” said Enrique, taking the trousers he’d been brought and pulling them on.
Spooky ordered, “Drop him off somewhere downtown with his cell phone so he can call his people. Make sure no one messes with him until he’s picked up.”
Enrique had begun walking toward the back of the building between his two guards when Spooky stopped him with his voice. “Mendoles. Remember none of this was personal. Don’t make the mistake of making it so, because nothing you do can protect you from me if I want to reach out and touch you again. It’s all business, my new friend. Do your part, and everything works.”
Enrique started to speak, but then shut his mouth, turning to resume his exit.