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Description

San Mateo de los Agustinos was a homely town. There was a certain quaint calmness to it that mirrored the simple lives of its townsfolk. At morning’s light, they go about their day, performing honest work, and when the day ends they each return to the warmth of their homes.

At least that was how it used to be until Marcus Hawthorne and his men moved in two weeks prior. The moment they showed up in San Mateo, it was like a blanket of unease covered the town. Things only got worse as Hawthorne and his men forcefully evicted the mayor from his own house and threatened him that should he or anyone were to contact anyone outside of San Mateo and inform them of what was occurring, that their blood would be on their own head.

San Mateo’s law enforcement left much to be desired, not for lack of heart but in the simple fact that the town never really had any serious cases requiring police intervention. They lacked not only numbers but also firepower, unlike Hawthorne and his cronies who had much to spare and were itching to use them.

The townsfolk did not know what to make of the entire ordeal. Besides the occasional visits of Hawthorne’s men to town to demand or strongarm the locals in giving them resources, like food or toiletries, they left just as quickly, returning to the Mayor’s home. It was as though they were holding up there, waiting for something.

Of course, Renley knew why Hawthorne had himself holed up in the Mayor’s home turned makeshift fortress. The man probably heard about what happened in Berlin and had attempted to go into hiding. To be fair, Renley did try her best to keep the raid on that branch’s headquarters on the down low, but there’s always the possibility that a rat had managed to tip off Hawthorne.

“Not that it mattered though,” Renley muttered to herself. Tracking Marcus down was a pain and a half, but now he was cornered with nowhere to turn. All that was left was to finish the job.

“You did well, Paolo,” Renley dug inside her jacket and withdrew a considerable wad of cash which she tossed to the young boy that had served as her guide in San Mateo. The Mayor had vouched for the young boy to help her reach the Mayor’s home unseen. “Hurry on home, chico. You don’t want to be around for what comes next”

“The people who took the Mayor’s house are bad men,” Paolo shifted nervously. “Will you be alright, senora?”

Renley chuckled and waved the boy’s concerns away. “I can take care of myself. Go on now. I’ll be fine”

After a moment’s hesitation, Paolo nodded and turned, hurrying along the path that they had taken to get here. Once the boy was a good distance away, Renley focused her sights on the task at hand. Adjusting the case that slung over her shoulder, she trudged forward.

It was time to earn her keep

Description

San Mateo de los Agustinos was a homely town. There was a certain quaint calmness to it that mirrored the simple lives of its townsfolk. At morning’s light, they go about their day, performing honest work, and when the day ends they each return to the warmth of their homes.

At least that was how it used to be until Marcus Hawthorne and his men moved in two weeks prior. The moment they showed up in San Mateo, it was like a blanket of unease covered the town. Things only got worse as Hawthorne and his men forcefully evicted the mayor from his own house and threatened him that should he or anyone were to contact anyone outside of San Mateo and inform them of what was occurring, that their blood would be on their own head.

San Mateo’s law enforcement left much to be desired, not for lack of heart but in the simple fact that the town never really had any serious cases requiring police intervention. They lacked not only numbers but also firepower, unlike Hawthorne and his cronies who had much to spare and were itching to use them.

The townsfolk did not know what to make of the entire ordeal. Besides the occasional visits of Hawthorne’s men to town to demand or strongarm the locals in giving them resources, like food or toiletries, they left just as quickly, returning to the Mayor’s home. It was as though they were holding up there, waiting for something.

Of course, Renley knew why Hawthorne had himself holed up in the Mayor’s home turned makeshift fortress. The man probably heard about what happened in Berlin and had attempted to go into hiding. To be fair, Renley did try her best to keep the raid on that branch’s headquarters on the down low, but there’s always the possibility that a rat had managed to tip off Hawthorne.

“Not that it mattered though,” Renley muttered to herself. Tracking Marcus down was a pain and a half, but now he was cornered with nowhere to turn. All that was left was to finish the job.

“You did well, Paolo,” Renley dug inside her jacket and withdrew a considerable wad of cash which she tossed to the young boy that had served as her guide in San Mateo. The Mayor had vouched for the young boy to help her reach the Mayor’s home unseen. “Hurry on home, chico. You don’t want to be around for what comes next”

“The people who took the Mayor’s house are bad men,” Paolo shifted nervously. “Will you be alright, senora?”

Renley chuckled and waved the boy’s concerns away. “I can take care of myself. Go on now. I’ll be fine”

After a moment’s hesitation, Paolo nodded and turned, hurrying along the path that they had taken to get here. Once the boy was a good distance away, Renley focused her sights on the task at hand. Adjusting the case that slung over her shoulder, she trudged forward.

It was time to earn her keep