Gary was silent for a moment, then his eyes narrowed slightly, “No sir, situation is normal.”

Rick knocked the phone out of Gary’s hand, smashing it against the fish tank. A few tetras scattered in annoyance. One remained, staring at its own reflection.

“What was so complicated about that?” Rick asked, “I told you what to say.”

“I told him the situation was normal,” Gary protested.

“He knew everything was normal when you said you had the sample. You told him there was no trouble. Now he knows the deal went bad. You see your friend?” He gestured at the soaked sobber, “He’s nice and quiet. He follows instructions, why can’t you follow instructions?”

Gary scowled, “I’m following other instructions.”

“Tell me who Bob is.”

“No.”

Rick flipped the gun in his hand so he was holding it by the barrell, “Look, each time you say no, I hit you. Since you can’t follow simple directions, we’ll go with a reward/punishment scenario.”

“What’s the reward?”

“Me not hitting you. Who’s Bob?”