Trophy Collection

Some people keep a little bit of everything

We need to get to the bottom of this box right here for that," Nico said, tapping a large crate marked Property of Hassington Fisheries, Inc with the toe of his fancy Italian loafer. "Dis is where we put da stuff we took off dat guy you was talkin' about."

"Nico, please." Emilio's voice was deep and rich, his smile friendly and inviting. "You sound like a thug. Remember: if you sound like a gentlemen, you will be taken for a gentleman. If you sound like a thug..." His voice suddenly went flat and emotionless, and the smile dropped like a lead weight. "...I'll have you shot and buried in the pine barrens just like 'dat guy we was talkin' about.' You draw attention to us in even the slightest way, Nico..."

"Sorry... er, I apologize, Mr. Embarrio. In any case, the um, the items we took— "

"Yes, I understood the first time. The items you secured from Mr. Tewari are in the bottom of the shipping crate." Emilio's voice was low and dangerous, and Nico was nervous. "His absence has been noticed, and questions are circulating. Get rid of them."

After Embarrio left, Nico pried open the crate and began removing items: ropes, buoys, traps. At the bottom was a small handle. He lifted it and found the items taken from Tewari. There were items from other associates who had crossed Emilio Embarrio, too: wallets, watches, other valuables. Nico sifted through it, wondering why Embarrio kept all this evidence. Trophies? Probably.

Then, just as he was about to replace the false floor and reload the crate, something caught his eye, and he began to shake: the gold watch he thought he had lost. Nico had the sinking feeling he was about to become missing... thuggish accent and all.

NOTES ▶︎

Word Count: 300
Submitted for "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt: Use the phrase "We need to get to the bottom of this"