“What’s up, Tee?” Jackie asked.

“This muthafucka only wanna give us two grand for the stuff we got from inside the store,” Travis said, moving closer to Murray.

“What!” Ronnie screamed. “This muthafucka think he gonna rob us like that?”

“Like I was explaining to Travis, with the gun play and the involvement of the police, Ronald, it’s going to be very hard to move the items from the store. No one locally is going to want to touch them. I’m probably going to have to go outside the country to move these items.”

“Now you see what them fifteen seconds is gonna cost us, Mr. Adrenaline?” Jackie shook her head.

Travis observed what was happening and smiled with satisfaction. He took a step back and let things develop.

“Shut up, Jackie. This ain’t even about them fifteen seconds. That’s a whole other matter. This is about this bitch here thinkin’ he gonna rob us,” Ronnie said and pulled out his gun.

Murray jumped out of his chair and backed his way into a corner. “Calm down, Ronald. Please. The stuff is too hot right now. Really, that’s the best I can do. You know I’ll make it up to you on the next job.”

“Next job my ass, muthafucka.” Ronnie followed Murray into the corner and put the gun to his head. “You better come correct on this job right here, right now, or you gonna die wishin’ you had.”

“Travis, please!” Murray screamed as he dropped to his knees.

Travis smiled and laughed to himself. He didn’t think Ronnie would really kill Murray, but there was no point carrying it any further than it had gone. He and Jackie stepped up behind Ronnie from either side. Jackie grabbed Ronnie around the shoulders while Travis put his hand gently on the barrel of his gun. “Don’t kill him, Ronnie. Just give me the gun and it will all work out,” Travis said calmly. Ronnie slowly moved the barrel away from Murray’s head and handed it to Travis. “Thank you.” Travis helped Murray get up from the floor and walked him back to the table. He handed the gun back to Ronnie and pulled out his own. “Sit down, Murray.”