“Stevenson’s Planet” in Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine #31

Until he got the gruesome note, David had never had reason to believe that his father was anything more than an honest, hardworking, successful miner. Butler brought him the opaque plastic envelope very early on a Monday morning. His father had been away for three weeks now, leaving the running of the planet-side of the business, as he often did, in David’s young but capable hands.

David groaned, pulled himself up along the headboard, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He opened the envelope and pulled out the note.

All of what you think of as yours is rightfully mine. Your father is a thief and a murderer and he will pay for his crimes. How much of him you save is up to you. Enclosed please find the pinkie finger of his right hand. I have kept the ring, as first payment. Transfer thirty billion credits to the account below. One way or another, your father will be returned to you. In how many pieces depends on your promptness.

Breathing hard, David looked inside the envelope. There it was, a tiny piece of flesh.