The bodyguards released me, but I was too exhausted to move, lying on the ground defeated.
John squatted down and reached for my hand, but I slapped him hard.
He looked away, flinching, but still tried to touch my hand again.
"Emily, I will get them the best resting place... just calm down."
I was deaf to his pleas, silently arranging the ashes back into their urns.
John moved to help, but I snapped at him,
"Get out, John Garcia, you are not welcome here!"
John pulled back, disappointed. Jessica tugged at his arm,
"John, this isn’t your fault. You didn’t know this was her family’s resting place."
"She never told us; obviously, she did it on purpose..."
"Shut up!" John cut Jessica off sharply.
As he spoke, police officers approached him.
Several police officers looked at Jessica Hernandez and me, their eyes wide with shock.
"Who is Jessica Hernandez?" one of them asked.
John Garcia instinctively stepped forward, shielding Jessica slightly.
"What's this about?" he inquired.
The officer frowned, "Southern Pharmaceuticals is under investigation for using substandard syringes, which may have caused widespread infections. We need her to come with us for questioning."