Page 57 of Petals and Fangs

“Yes. Here is the request list of the documents they want.”

“I don't care about the FDA, Perry. At least not for now. I need to know more about our newest, suspicious client.”

“That is what I was just getting to. This is everything you need to know about him,” he smirks, and places another file on the desk.

“Tell me about him,” I say, opening the file and skimming through it.

“Not much is known about him. He is a young man who goes by the name of Demetrius Daire. At least, we are now sure of his real name. The records we have of him are very limited. But his spending pattern tells us something.”

“Which is?”

“He is not only buying for himself, but for a massive group of people. He has purchased more than a hundred units of the same product. It is not a small number, Mr. Rothschild.”

“He could be selling the serum for a fortune. Do we have any more information?”

“Well, I am not certain about this, but I have my doubts.”

“Yes, Perry, go ahead.”

“He is either hiding someone or is hiding behind someone. It could even be a group. A massive one, if you think about it.”

“I still don't get it. How could he benefit from our products, but still make complaints to the FDA?”

“Well, that is what we are trying to find out. But it's not like he is the only person making complaints about your products. The FDA is always tracking this.”

“So, what do we have on him? I need to face him. A couple of pages won't tell me what I need to know, Perry.”

“I am not sure we can get him.”

“Oh, I am sure we can, Perry. Think about it. There must be a way.”

“Well, his real address is not in the database. But we do have a phone number. He is the kind of person who likes to stay out of the spotlight, I suppose.”

“Well, I am not that type. But I am sure we can reach him. I would like to talk things out with him, and deal with it my own way.”

“Concerning the FDA, however, we have a few options.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“We can settle out of court.”

“You know I don't do that, Perry.”

“Or you can pay a fine. That's always an option.”

“I could also buy the FDA, couldn't I? That's also an option.”

“If only things were that easy,” Perry chuckles.

“They can be.”

“How, though?”

“I'll tell you, Perry, the FDA is one of those entities that are so corrupt that they need to be bought out and replaced,” I tell him, lighting another cigarette. Everything is getting to me, but I can't stop thinking of Lily.

“Bribe them, you mean?” Perry asks, lighting a cigarette as well.

“Yes. Exactly, Perry.”

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