Shadow of the Gun

Dante tapped the barrel of the gun against the side of his leg. There was a couch behind him. Mr. Vahn’s nonchalant demeanor made him feel like he could contain his own emotions better if he took a seat. Dante took a few steps back and sat down. “A grocery store,” he said. “Not too long ago. Ringing any bells?”

Mr. Vahn cracked another smile. “You’re shittin’ me, right? This is about the old guy?” He clapped his hands together once and gave a short laugh. “This is unbelievable.”

“Did I say something funny?” Dante clutched the gun he held harder.

“You don’t know just how,” he said with a grin. “Wait’ll I tell Pratt. So what is this, you out for revenge or something? What was he, like your granddad?” Mr. Vahn’s reaction to his question was making him uncomfortable. For a second, Dante thought that maybe he was a little more out of his league with these people than he‘d previously imagined, but he didn’t let his face show it.

“You’re right though. Pratt and I shot that son of a bitch open like a fucking piñata.” He spoke the words through laughter and cheer. “You want to make a citizen’s arrest?” Vahn held out his arms to Dante with both of his wrists pressed together. He dropped his hands down to his sides and suddenly became very serious. “You see, that’s what happens when you don’t play ball with Mr. Douglas. I mean, he offered the old bastard plenty of cash to use the store, but for some reason he just said no. Mr. Douglas took it personally.” Vahn smiled at him.

“So did I.” Dante twisted his wrist over on the couch beside him and the gun he held went off.