Tanked -

Chet went pale. “Karma? This doesn’t concern you.”

“You’re holding a beloved aquatic performer for ransom,” she said. “That concerns every small business owner in this zip code.” Tanked

He scooped the shrimp into the Tupperware with a smooth, practiced motion. Reginald didn’t even flinch. He simply shifted his weight, adjusted his antennae, and gave Chet a look that could only be described as smug. Chet went pale

Chet scrambled to his feet. “The police will hear about this! Breaking and entering! Shrimp theft!” “That concerns every small business owner in this zip code

Karma leaned against the counter, holding a mug of terrible coffee. “You know,” she said, “most people would have just paid the ransom.”

Reginald, as if on cue, waved a tiny claw. It might have been a greeting. It might have been a command for more algae wafers. With Reginald, you could never be sure. And that was exactly the point.