Once again I find myself heading to the gym to meet Eddie for a private meet and greet. I am really getting tired of this, but I don’t really blame him for not wanting to hang around the office, and factory with so many cops buzzing in and out of the place –plus that inspector has turned out to be kind of a dick. I just don’t like going to the gym. The emptiness of it is really depressing. I always imagined it full of people after the grand opening –not this bullshit. Just like last time, I am here first. I don’t care for all this waiting around I’ve been doing. My arm is back in its sling, which annoys the hell out of me.

I have been told by my doctor that I can start on a physical therapy program, and since I am certified in that arena, I don’t really see the point in hiring an actual physical therapist. Instead, while I’m waiting on Eddie, I head to the empty gym lockers and change into some of the logo-covered gyms where we were going to sell in the gift shop. I put on a t-shirt and gym shorts as well as some tennis shoes. I start my gentle workout with a simple walk around the indoor track.

I know I shouldn’t run, so I don’t, but it’s driving me insane. Before that stupid car accident, I worked out religiously, but now I have to take it slow like a damn beginner. For my last lap around the track, I allow myself to do a gentle job, and before I even complete the lap I can feel that that was not a good idea. My ribs are on fire by the time I finish the course. “Fuck this shit,” I grumble under my breath. I decide to do some stretching and head to the part of the gym where all the workout equipment is located. Stretching and very light weights would be good for working my sore muscles.

For the next hour, I wind up doing some gentle stretches and working with some of the lightweight equipment, and I am actually feeling pretty good by the end of it apart from my annoyance that Eddie is still not present. It’s another twenty minutes before he finally comes walking in the door. He has a stack of paperwork with him that the police had apparently given him to look over. “What’s the deal?” I snap. “You asked me to meet you here over an hour ago.”

He shrugs, “Sorry, but it does look like you made use of that time, I see. The cops had me helping them with interviews. How’s your arm doing?”

“Better.” I grumble, “Why are we here, Eddie?”

“The cops know about the rat poison now.” Eddie says to me, “They’re talking about doing a criminal investigation now. They know it wasn’t business malpractice now, at least, so hopefully, that will make the news soon, and things will start to calm down a little.”

“We should have told them that as soon as we knew.” I say, “And maybe then things would already be calmed down. There we cameras outside my apartment building this morning.”

Eddie laughs, and it pisses me off. “Sorry.” He says under his breath when he notices my irritation. “Look, we are going to figure this out. At least now we know it’s not because of something we did. Someone poisoned our products, and hopefully the police can find out who.”

“All right.” I say, “But who the hell would want to screw us over like that?”

“That’s what I want to talk to you about.” Eddie nervously shifts his feet back and forth, “What if it’s Éclair?”

Now I’m really pissed. “Fuck you, Eddie!”

“Come on man; I’m serious.” He says, “Think about it. She always wants you to sell. She’s crazy and manipulative, and you know it.”

“No, she’s not.” I say, “Éclair is my friend… despite our… complicated relationship.”

“All I’m saying is maybe we talk to the police about looking into her. She could have easily hired someone to do the deed for her, you know? It’s not like she doesn’t have the money to influence someone into doing something like that. And if our business tanks, she can buy up your business at a record low price. She is the only person I can think of that has the motivation to want to screw you over.” He is practically shaking at the thought, “Who else would want to completely ruin you?”

“I don’t know, Eddie.” I grit my teeth, “But I know it’s not Éclair.”

“You don’t know shit.” He says, “Look, just think about it. The cops might not even be thinking about her as a suspect, and so far she is the only person I can come up with you might want to see you and your company burn.”

“I don’t have to think about it.” I say, “I know Éclair would not do that to me.”

“Why? Because you give it to her good on occasion? Screw you, man. I’m only trying to help you out.” Eddie seems to be pacing somewhat as he talks.

I stand up and wipe my slightly sweaty brow with the back of my hand, “I’m not going to the police and telling them that they need to investigate Éclair. So forget about it and move on, all right?”

“Fine.” Eddie grumbles, “I don’t know why I’m trying so hard to help you out anyways.” And just like that, Eddie storms out of the gym.

I grunt slightly. I am so not in the mood for his bullshit today. He seriously thinks Éclair might have something to do with this? He must be out of his mind. There is now way she would risk her fortune and the good name just to buy up a couple of buildings and branding from me. Besides, we are friends –I really do believe that despite our differences. I just could not imagine Éclair doing something so conniving. I could honestly punch Eddie in the nose for even suggesting something like that. Éclair is my friend, but for whatever reason I find myself questioning that factoid. She is, right? I mean, she would not do anything like this to me, would she? She would not try to ruin me –right?

I shake the nervous feeling off and head for the gym showers. I need to wash off before heading out. I have a meeting with my new lawyer this afternoon; I fired the other moron this morning, so I’m meeting with this new woman that Éclair had suggested and the time is sneaking up on me. I shoot my driver a text before hopping in the gym shower, letting him know that I will be ready for him to pick me up shortly.

After showering off, I get dressed in my regular suit and tie style clothing and gently work my right arm back into its sling. Damn, that shit hurts. I might have worked it a little harder than I should have today. I shrug it off, though, and then I head out the door to meet my driver out in the parking lot.