After spending a few days out of commission, I was more than happy to make a visit to the factory just to get out of the house. I’m not used to being cooped up like that, although it has been nice having Sylvia wait on me hand and foot, but now she has to get back to work. I tried staying home one day without her to continue recouping, but boredom got the better of me faster than I thought possible. Sylvia playing nurse with occasional making out had been a great distraction from my torn muscles, bruising, and minor fractures.

I call my driver; I definitely am not going to attempt to drive while on these crazy strong pain meds. Plus, my personal car is at the dump now, so he is going to have to pick up a company car to come get me. I wait around a lot longer than I am used to; obviously my driver is taking longer because he has to figure out a vehicle situation. When he finally calls me to let me know he is outside of my apartment building, I am quite relieved. Truthfully, I’m glad it took him so long. I had exaggerated my own abilities to get ready with my injuries, and it had taken significantly longer than I had estimated. I’m in more pain than I am willing to admit out loud.

I go out and meet my driver out in front of the apartment building before loading up into the back seat. He is kind enough to ask me how I am feeling, but he is not friendly enough to me to ask about everything going on in the news. Good. He would get an ear full from me if he was brave enough to question things. Soon we are pulling up outside of the office and factory, and there is a swarm of reporters outside. Luckily, I’m not in my regular car, so I am not spotted right away. “Geez,” I say under my breath.

“Would you like me to pull around back, sir?” My driver asks.

“Yes, please do,” I say as I attempt to duck down to avoid being spotted. I definitely do not want to talk to these people right now –especially not since the media has started circling ridiculous suicidal stories. A bunch of assholes is what they are. Seriously –who gives them the right to start shit like that?

We pull around back, but we are ultimately spotted as my driver attempts to whip it around back. By the time he pulls up to the back entrance, the paparazzi has already made its way to the back of the building. Just my luck. I call Eddie and tell him to have security come escort me. I don’t feel like getting pushed around today –not with the sort of injuries I have. I wait around in the car for several minutes which unfortunately only allows the jackasses to swarm my car like vultures. I try to remain calm, but honestly, the sudden attention is giving me a bit of anxiety. This is not what I need right now.

Soon the company’s security team is clearing a path for me, and one guy opens up my door and puts a hand on my shoulder as I climb out of the car. He walks with me, one hand on my shoulder to lead me, as the rest of the men push the crowd back. I can hear the reporters shouting at me, “Mr. Mont! Mr. Mont! Do you care to comment about the recent outbreak of illnesses that investigators are claiming has been traced back to your supplements?”

“Mr. Mont! Did you knowingly distribute a poisoned product to the unknowing public to avoid taking a loss on the faulty supplements?”

“Could you give us a comment, Mr. Mont?”

“Mr. Mont! Is it true you attempted to harm yourself after receiving word that your company is being sued?”

“Mr. Mont, is it true that you have spent the last week on suicide watch?”

If it was not for the security team, I would probably punch one of these reporters. Soon we are in the building, and the back door is locked tight to prevent any unwanted guests from making their way inside. I cringe slightly and relax my right arm in the sling. “Are you all right, sir?” the head security guard asks.

“I’ve been better,” I say.

The guy fiddles with his fingers for a moment, “Um… sir…. What they’re saying about you isn’t true, is it?”

I poke out my chest like I want to fight him right now –it would be a huge mistake, really; he’s twice my size, and I have some mildly fractured ribs, “No! It’s not true! Whatever this is, we’re going to get to the bottom of it.”

“I certainly hope so.” Voice rings out over the small crowd of employees that have gathered around me. I look up and see an officer, a crime scene investigator, staring back at me. “Mr. James Mont, I presume?”

I frown. This guy is looking at me like I’ve done something. “I hope you have a warrant,” I say with a hiss.

“Believe me, I do.” He says, “And I hope you are planning on cooperating fully with our investigation.”

I take a breath and straighten myself up, “Of course.” I say, although I already have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach about this guy.

He crosses his arms, “Good. We’re just now beginning our investigation today. Your brother kept insisting that we bring a warrant, so that’s just what we’ve done.”

Good job, Eddie, I think to myself. I nod, “As well you should. I don’t know what is going on here, but I can assure you we have never committed any sort of business negligence here at Shattered INC.”

“I’m sure.” The man comes closer to me, “Agent Roman.” He sticks his hand out at me. I frown. He sees that my arm is in a sling. He chuckles and switches hands, and we do an awkward left-handed shake.

“James Mont.” I say, “CEO. I can assure you, sir, that I have no idea what is going on here.”

“Well, hopefully, my team can shed a little light on this situation.” He is looking at me like I am to blame for all of this, and it is really pissing me off. “I don’t know if you are aware how serious this is, Mr. Mont.” The man says, “The body count has risen since yesterday.”

“What?” I raise a brow, “What do you mean?”

“I mean we have nine bodies in cold storage with similar symptoms in LA plus two additional bodies nationwide –all confirmed to have been taking your supplements.” The inspector says.

My throat tightens, “Eleven dead?”

“Eleven.” He says, “And there are dozens more in the hospital with similar symptoms to the deceased. And so far, you sir, are the only common denominator. Your brother already called for the products to be pulled from the shelves; it did not take much convincing from our part. We’re confident whatever is going on originated here. Now it’s a question as to what.”

I think I’m going to be sick. “Where is Eddie?”

“He’s in your office. Being carefully watched to make sure he does not try to dispose of anything. And I will warn you right now, Mr. Mont, don’t try to cover anything up.” He has a serious look on his face, “The last thing you want right now is to be accused of tampering with evidence.”

“I won’t.” I say, “Believe me, I want to get to the bottom of this just as badly as you do. Probably more. I’m going to take a look around at the factory, but after that, if you need me, I will be in my office.”

He nods, saying he has a lot of work to do, and I head to the factory to do a little investigation of my own.