Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian
Chapter 203

"Took him down?" Clark interjects, puzzled.

"My father is ex-army. Hyde, um, touched me, and I know how to defend myself." Her eyes flick to mine, and I can't hide my pride and awe for my girl.

Don't mess with my girl.

She's a warrior.

"I see." Clark huffs out a breath and sits back on the sofa.

"Have you spoken to any of Hyde's former personal assistants?" I ask. I'm curious to know if the cops have made more progress than Welch.

"Yes, we have. But the truth is, we can't get any of his assistants to talk to us. They all say he was an exemplary boss, even though none of them lasted more than three months."

Damn. "We've had that problem, too. My security chief, he's interviewed Hyde's past five PAs."

This news piques Clark's interest. He frowns, his eyes boring into me. "And why's that?"

"Because my wife worked for him, and I run security checks on anyone my wife works with."

Clark's face reddens. "I see." His bushy brows draw together. "I think there's more to this than meets the eye, Mr. Grey. We are conducting a more thorough search of his apartment tomorrow, so maybe something will present itself then. Though by all accounts he hasn't lived there for some time."

"You've searched already?"

"Yes. We're doing it again. A fingertip search this time."

"You've still not charged him with the attempted murder of Ros Bailey and myself?"

Maybe that's the FBI's prerogative?

"We're hoping to replace more evidence in regard to the sabotage of your aircraft, Mr. Grey. We need more than a partial print, and while he's in custody, we can build a case."

"Is this all you came down here for?"

Clark stiffens. "Yes, Mr. Grey, it is, unless you've had any further thoughts about the note?"

Again, Ana's eyes scrutinize mine, but this time she's frowning.

"No. I told you. It means nothing to me." My wife does not need to know about that! "And I don't see why we couldn't have done this over the phone."

"I think I told you, I prefer a hands-on approach. And," he adds, slightly sheepishly, "I'm visiting my great-aunt, who lives in Portland. Two birds-one stone."

"Well, if we're all done, I have work to attend to." I stand, hoping that Clark will take the hint.

He does. "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Grey."

Ana nods.

"Mr. Grey."

I open the door and he shuffles out.

Thank fuck.

Ana leans back into the sofa.

"Can you believe that asshole?" I run my hands through my hair.

"Clark?" Ana says.

"No. That fucker, Hyde."

"No, I can't." She looks bemused.

"What's his fucking game?"

"I don't know. Do you think Clark believed me?"

"Of course he did. He knows Hyde is a fucked-up asshole="

"You're very sweary," Ana chastises me.

"Sweary? Is that even a word?"

"It is now."

And just like that, her humor smothers my anger, and it's gone. Marveling at the spell she casts, I sit down beside her and pull her into my arms. "Don't think about that fucker. Let's go see your dad and try to talk about the move tomorrow."

"He was adamant that he wanted to stay in Portland and not be a bother," Ana says.

"I'll talk to him."

She fingers the buttons on my shirt. "I want to travel with him."

That should be possible. "Okay. I'll come, too. Sawyer and Taylor can take the cars. I'll let Sawyer drive your R8 tonight."

She offers me a sweet smile of thanks, and I feel ten feet tall.

Ray has capitulated; he's in far better spirits than he was this morning. The doughnuts must have worked their magic, and I think he's secretly pleased that he'll get to ride in a helicopter tomorrow. He doesn't remember anything of his flight here from Astoria. I make a mental note to take him up in Charlie Tango at some point.

While Ana sits with him, I head to the waiting room to finalize Ray's move.

Andrea has everything organized. She is, without doubt, the best PA I've ever had.

"Thanks, Andrea."

"You're welcome, Mr. Grey. Anything else?"

"No, it's all good. Go home."

"Will do, sir."

I fire off a quick e-mail to Samir to review Andrea's salary and recommend a generous raise.

Before I head back to the ward, I reflect on Clark's visit and what he did and didn't say. He's obviously liaising with the FBI with regard to Charlie Tango's sabotage, but mentioned that he's searching Hyde's apartment again. Why? Does he have another lead? Or is it something else that he's not telling us? And where was Hyde while he was planning his kidnap attempt? It's obvious he was still in Seattle; I have the CCTV footage to prove it. This is worth exploring.

I e-mail Welch and Barney and ask them if they tracked the movements of the white van that Hyde used before he arrived at Escala.

Perhaps they'll come up with something.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

I hang up from my phone conversation with my mother and catch Ana's monochrome eye. She's gazing down at me from my office wall with her disarming smile, her eyes bright and brimming with intelligence. It's been only three hours since I saw her, but I miss her already. I wonder what she's doing right now? She's probably at work and if all has gone to plan, Ray should be settled in his room at Northwest Hospita where my mother will keep an eye on him. I hope he's comfortable, or as comfortable as he can be. He seemed to enjoy the flight from OHSU to Boeing Field, but he's not a man who likes to be the center of attention-quite the opposite, in fact. A little like his daughter.

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