Ben found himself pushed harshly against the wall. He held his hands up in surrender.
"I can't make her take a pill if she doesn't want to!" he begged as Mr Salt raised his fist for another punch.
"Wait." said a sharply dressed Mr Campbell, stepping out of the shadows.
Mr Salt froze, one fist gripping tightly to Ben's collar the other frozen inches from his face.
"Just answer one thing." said Mr Campbell, reaching up to lower Mr Salt's raised fist. "Did she drink the 'isotonic' water?"
"Yes!" cried Ben nervously.
"But not her vitamins..?"
"She didn't want to take any more medication."
Mr Salt's grip loosened on his collar and Ben pulled away.
"What was in the drink?" Ben asked, straightening his shirt. "It's not going to hurt her?"
"There was chance the side effects might make her a little queasy… but that was what the pill was supposed to stop." said Mr Campbell. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "But it was not considered a risk as she has never had any reaction to the Orpheus treatment. This is clearly a sign that our formula isn't quite there yet…"
Suddenly Mr Campbell stepped threateningly close.
"But you shouldn't be asking these questions. You're not growing a conscious are you, Mr Rigby? That isn't healthy. We have a deal. You don't break a deal."
Mr Campbell turned his back and gave Mr Salt a discrete nod.
The fist impacted Ben's stomach before he could react and left him bent double on the floor.
"Remember who you are working for." said Mr Campbell as he walked away.
As Ben got back to his knees he tried to catch his breath.
"Doctor Hayward took a blood sample." he croaked, desperately trying to stay in Mr Campbell's good books.
The business suited young man stopped and slowly turned on his heel. He gave Ben a long look.
"That will not present a problem. We can intercept the test results… But your assistance is noted. We shall be in touch."
With that Mr Campbell and Mr Salt walked away.
…