Compositions for the Young and Old

“Well, as I mentioned before, it does concern you and your side of meat.

Deeply.”

Harry stomped over to a workstation sandwiched between aquarium tanks. After a surprisingly low amount of keystrokes the big monitor on the back wall filled with an image of a dank alley lined with garbage, and on the floor, a body.

“Ten points to anyone that can name that stiff,” the kid said.

“Santa Claus,” I said. An awful joke that did nothing to ease the tension that was almost as thick as the bravado in the room.

Harry ignored me. “Julius Steps,” he said.

“Holy shit!” I couldn’t stop myself. The most powerful drug-lord in City. Dead.

“When the police find the carcass, they’ll also find a brilliantly manufactured cache of DNA evidence that points its amino acid finger at you two chumps. Now, I wouldn’t worry so much about the police as I would mob retribution. Those guys tend to get a little cranky when stuff like this happens. Sure, the cops will do the grunt work, but once forensics sells the info to the moles, it will be Steps’ boys who will come a’ callin’.”

“You’re bluffing,” Harry said, and goddamn him, he was laughing.

Jesus, I was expecting to hear proud of you, son spill out of his mouth.

“No, I’m not. I won’t bore you with the details, but gathering the genetic evidence was surprisingly easy. A collection of hairs from Meat’s cab took care of him, and between Mom’s and my DNA, we were able to extract yours, dear father.”

“That must’ve cost you a bundle,” Harry said.

“If I learned anything from you, it’s money can buy anything.”

“How sweet, a walking fucking greeting card,” I said with the gun aimed at his head. Damned if I was going to let the guy who just signed my death sentence leave Harry’s without a couple of extra holes.

I knew I should’ve left this guy on the beach.

“Let’s not do anything rash, Meat. If Harry cooperates, I’ll have the ingeniously planted evidence removed.”

“Neat plan, kid. But you do realize this doesn’t affect me in the least. No one can get to me out here. Sure things get a little tough for poor, loyal Bill, but me? Nada,” Harry said.

“That’s just great,” I said.

“Somehow, I think business as usual would be adversely affect, father.

But, I had a hunch you’d feel that way. To up the ante, so to speak, I’ve 75