stalker

by deaconlost

Anna Steele has a secret, she has a guardian angel watching over her. To everyone else he's a stalker, hunting young girls. the shy, bookworm coed will transform into a strong and willful woman to claim her secret or will the families tear them apart. this is a short story about ten chapters. a very different take on thee family.

4. Chapter 4 October ghouls

Chp four October ghouls

Talyor-pov

Septmber27: Seattle GEH Security office.

One of the first things I did was hire a guy just out of service, Lucas Sawyer. Blonde, brown eyes, rugged and tough, ex ranger and last two years Military CPO. He did three tours in war zones. Solid, if supervised.

"Luke, you have to understand you're not in the Green anymore. You got a honorable, with some smudges. You need to understand in the civilian world, you always come to me first. If it needs to go to the cops or anywhere else. You come to me first."

"Taylor, with respect. The bird (colonel) was a pedophile. Command didn't care, J2 buried it, what would you have done?"

"I would have arranged him to step on a mine, or accidently walk behind a moving truck. I would not of publicly beat him in the officers' mess. That the point I'm making Luke. You know me, my ways. Come to me first. Let me work out the mess first. OK."

"Yes T. I got the word, clear and understood. What first?"

"good start with the dorm fire. See if anything turns up, if nothing. Work some of your counter-surveillance mojo." I see he's ready to run, kids always impatient. But I was just like that at his age.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

October 1

We brief the girls, their upset about the deaths. Scared of the enemies, good. I see Anna emailed me a revised schedule for the week. The girls have added Tue and Thursday self-defense classes. I could do a better job teaching them, maybe later. Right now, they need to feel like they have control in their lives.

I mention to Gail, quietly suggesting she attend. At first, she pissed and then thinking see the logic. She friends with the girls, she may be in danger. The thought terrifies me, I like her, sexual attracted to her. She knows I want to protect her, beside the girls will be more likely to accept the CPO and the seriousness if I have Gail take the course, Mia already teasing me about liking Gail.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

I sit in my office at GEH, I can't wait for the new offices. The security is a nightmare with multiple non-sequential floors, over three buildings. I have half my staff trying to guard the vital areas. Already half a dozen hacker attempts this week. Sawyer enters and close the door. Placing several spy hole cameras, professional grade equipment.

"Jason, we have a dilemma, I found a burned-up spy camera in the dorm room, only Miss Steele's. I checked the house in Montesano, there were eight cameras and mics. Three in miss Steele room. They went to a house down the block with a node access server, heavy encryption. The house was rented to a retired army couple, over watching the system, they had no access or idea who or what was on the system. Just a phone number if it when down."

"OK, we track the rental, Trace the internet connection. Did you check the Dobson house in Tacoma?"

"Yes, the camera had been removed. I check the Houses in Medina; Mrs. Grey had ten, Ray house had nine. With only Miss Steele's bedroom in both having cameras. I found the security company renting the house in Montesano and the one in Medina. Whoisit Security rented both house."

"WHAT! Are you sure?"

"Yea, but the problem is the House and setup in Montesano is two years old. Could Grey be the one?" Sawyer posed several questions I don't want to believe. Whoisit is the subsidiary of Grey Security. Could Grey, SM DOM be hunting a child, a predatory?

"Trace the internet address?"

"Yea to a location in Tacoma. A dead-end at a secret GEH server farm." Sawyer looks ready to faint. Information, I need information.

"Let go see Barney!" I rise and we walk out the building down the block to building two. We find Barney in his office, eating a PB and J.

"Sawyer hand Barney the file. What can you tell me about it and why we have a secret server farm in Tacoma; I wasn't notified about?"

"We don't advertise the remote server farms, beside Tacoma, we just finished one in Portland in July. I thought Welch or Grey would have informed you. This address is restricted. You need Mr. Grey written approval to access." Barney look very uncomfortable.

I think on the matter. Draw my gun, cock the trigger and lean into Barney. "this in my approval on this address. If it's what I fear, suicide is your only option. Now about the address?"

Barney sweat heavily. "Shoot me then. I won't betray my friend, and boss."

"Barney do you know what on the data stream?"

"No. only the security company might know." He looks concerned.

"Who in Grey security is monitoring?"

Barney looks stunned "no one in Grey security, its handled by, I shouldn't say, but I think this is serious. Mr. Collins of Woodcourt & Bleak, INC… Grey shadow security department"

"what do you mean shadow security department?"

"When I start three years ago, we had two security sections. Grey and Woodcourt & Bleak, INC. only Grey security was ever discussed. I assume it was Grey dirty tricks, industrial espionage department. Than we created Whoisit to handle physical security and first layer protection. I didn't even know Woodcourt & Bleak, INC was still in business till we installed the Portland server." Barney look inward, confused and scared.

"Have you ever met him?" Sawyer ask

"No, but I've emailed him a couple of times. Let me show you the file. (he turns unlocking three section of a security filing cabinet. To bring a thin file out just eleven pages. All signed by Collins and initial approved by Grey) see this all I get. The security severs have NSA grade encryption, and firewalls, multi-layered VPN and high security traps and that on top of our stuff. What is going on?" Barney pleas.

"I'm not sure, but the data stream is private right now, not a word to anyone including Grey. If this turns illegal. We need to protect the company, not the criminal. Not a word Barney!" I say walking out.

"What now T?" sawyer ask, sure I'll bury it despite what I said.

"Luke review what we know. GEH and Grey security is in the dark on this Collins of Woodcourt & Bleak, INC… Second Miss Steele is the target and has been for years. Before Carrick and Ray met. I could be Grey or a rogue in this Woodcourt & Bleak. Third we haven't met Grey yet. He's still in NY. I flying out tonight to meet him. Question? Problem?"

"Two. First Ray knows about the camera I ripped them out. Second if it is a rogue, how do we handle it?"

"I'll deal with Ray. And if it is a rogue, Grey has several ocean-going boats." I let the meaning sink in. he nods.

"I want you to counter-surveillance Miss Steele, heavy setup a couple of rings. If it a rogue he'll need his fix. Get moving"

I walk back to the office and have a quiet word with Welch. He's pissed and doesn't know anything about Woodcourt & Bleak, INC or Collins. I drive to Medina. Pondering the Names, the names mean something, I've heard them before, some connection.

Xxxxx

Medina: Seattle: Carrick and Ray's house:

I wait for Ray to finish in his wood shop. I look in Miss Steele's room, I image Sophie, my daughter's college room looking like this. I see the recent patched holes in the room. One on the bed, one on the desk and one on a sitting chair near the window. Sawyer told me none of the houses had them in the bathrooms. But it's still perverted.

"Jason, what to explain why Sawyer found Cameras I didn't approve in my house?" menacing, Ray's not a man to take lightly.

"Ray where working on it. Cameras were found in multiple locations. When did you met Carrick?"

"What the frigging hell has that got to do with IT!"

"Ray?" I demand.

"A year ago, at a golf tournament for Aids research. Some asshole lawyers were ragging on him, I walked over to quiet them, ruining my foursome. It was love at first sight, you know" Ray blushes, it cute.

"So you and Annie had no contact with the Greys before that. Does the name Collins mean anything?"

"No, and NO! now what's going on."

"The cameras in Montesano are two-year-old and seem to be thru GEH. I'm flying to NY to ask Grey some question. I hope to have answers. Ok" I say truthful. I will hate losing this job by making the boss disappear at sea.

I start to walk out of Annie room I see a strange out of place picture. I sidetrack to it. A Gordon setter with half an ear erased and one eye painted sewed shut. "Ray, I didn't know you guys had a dog?"

"We didn't, when Annie was sixteen we when to Discovery Park. Annie caught an asshole rich kid throwing six week old puppies in deep water, throwing rocks and cutting them so the sharks would come. Five puppies in all. Annie dove in without think and managed to save one. Poor guy, lost an eye and had most of his ear cut off. While we were arguing with the police and his family, someone stole the dog out of the truck. Annie's believe hes living a happy good life somewhere. That how she sees him, she has a picture in every room she sleeps in, she even named him Wiglar, she thinks her guardian Angel has him."

"Guardian Angel?"

"when Annie first came back, she was traumatized I had to get her help, one of the doctors convince me put her in a clinic, psych ward for kids near Renton. She Escaped one night, got lost in the woods, claimed an angel found her and guided her to safety, but that was five year ago. Just a fantasy." Ray looks longingly at the dog.

"Remember the name of the rich kid and his family?"

"yea, Clayton. Paul Clayton and his parents Tom and Eve Clayton. Ran an industrial supply company in Edmonton, or did? GEH drove them out of business, bought the company. Broken it apart. I know there living in mobile home in Lynwood off of 99. Serene Terrance mobile homes. The boy only did a year in county."

"We need to add them to the list. Did you notify Welch about them?"

"no, I thoughts it was old news. I'll update him now."

XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two hour later Escala.

"Gail, I have a serious question to ask you. you need to answer me about this."

"if I can?" she answers wary, unsure of what I want.

"Tell me about Grey submissive? What they do? How they act? How often?"

"Jason, I signed a NDA, you did to. I will never betray Mr. Grey."

"Gail, honey. You need to tell me, it serious. Very serious. I need to know."

"I really can't tell you Jason. I just can't."

I take her in my arms, hugging her tight "Babe please, I need to know?"

"I would tell you, but I don't know."

"What do you mean?'

"He's never had one in here, since I've been here. The room upstairs has never been used. No woman has every been in penthouse except his mother, and sister. He left instruction that Annie and Kate were not allowed up here."

"you have the key?" I ask. She nods. We walk upstairs to the playroom. Inside is not what I expected. The room looks like a British study, blood red walls, sublime lighting. the Hugh four post bed and weird curve seat, Green leather couch are all high quality but un-creased, un-used. The cabinet with small drawers is full of sex toys still in their wrapper. It like it waiting for something. I expected whips, belts, paddle, chains. But none are here. Some riding crops and floggers, mostly fur. I turn to leave. I see a crease in one of the wall panel.

Taking my knife, I open the panel to see a wall of pictures of Grey. sitting on a bench in the woods. Alone, solitary. He looks happy and smiling at the woods. The pictures are obviously self-taken. Several are blurs of him getting back in position. I check the walls, no other hidden panels. I don't understand.

We leave the playroom, I'm more confused than before. Is Grey stalking an Annie, has he been for years stalking her? Where is the Dom with submissive I've been briefed on?

I talk to Welch on the way to the Airport. Grey visits clubs and arrange his Submissive there, never uses the club or the private rooms. All the submissive are dealt thru a separate lawyer. J. Bounderby esq. of Jacobs Island Bahamas and Gibraltar.

Xxxxx

Anna-pov

I call dad on the phone:

"Dad, why are there patches in my room at Escala." I demand. I fear the worst. He mumbles, a sure sign he doesn't want to come clean.

"Annie someone put spy Cameras in your room, the apartment. I had them removed."

"DAD! you didn't. please tell me you didn't remove them; did you remove the ones there or at the house in Montesano?" I shake with Fear. My protector is blind.

"WHAT DO MEAN YOU KNEW ABOUT THE CAMERA!" Dad yells

I yell back. "YES. NOW I'M DEFENSELESS, I HAVE TO CALL MY FRIEND AND WARN HIM. JUST SHUT UP DAD. NO! I WILL NOT CALM DOWN. MY FRIEND IS BLIND TO PROTECT ME. WE WILL HAVE WORDS LATER" I hang up, shaking.

Five year before: anna-pov

I escaped the nuthouse Ray had me in, I know I need help, after 3 and mom. But this place ain't it. I ran into the woods now I'm lost. Afraid, the shadows, sound began to terrifies me. I wander till a naked boy runs over me. he looks at me, terror and hatred in his eyes. I get closer I smell the blood, see the black dried blood over him. I scramble back into a tree. He squats looking at me with lost eyes, beautiful eyes. I reach out and touch his face, an electric charge surges thru me. strange and exciting. He rises pulling me up, leading me to a road. Then a closed gas station. A phone. I call dad. I'll wait here. I turn a he's gone. No words spoken, nothing remain put the dried blood on my hand.

Xxxxxxx

Taylor-pov

New York city 3am:

My flight is long as I ponder the facts, the names and assumptions. The names trouble me, I know them, their familiar; I just can't place them. What I know and don't know. Nothing is making sense. I arrive at nearly three am, New York time. A CPO meets me at the Airport. Grey is at his apartment in the city just off the park. I walk into find him working on his laptop. Staring at the screen. "What do you want?" he barks, angry

"Tell me about Collins and Woodcourt & Bleak, INC; why your stalking Miss Steele?" I demand, he laughs, falling down on the floor laughing at me. he staggers to his feet falling against me.

I wake in a bed, with an ice pack on my jaw. He sits looking at me from a chair near the window. "What you hit me with?" he raises his fist.

"You ever challenge me again, you better kill me. I should fire you, but you've done better than any other. Woodcourt & Bleak, INC is none of your concern. If you can't deal with that leave. Break your NDA. Court will be the least of you and Sawyers worries. I'm sure you thought of the same for me. chose?" Grey stands and walks out, at the door he turns. "That includes Mrs. Jones" he gone.

An hour later I walk into the great sunroom overlooking the park to Grey sitting on the floor playing tug of war with a one-eyed Gordon setter. "you chose?" he asks all young a bright eyed. "yes, talk to me?"

"This is Wiglar, A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the dragon while all of the other warriors ran away. A suitable companion for me, loyal, loving and always reminder of where I'm going. I take it Ray or Anastasia told you his tale of woe."

"Ray, so your stalking Annie?"

"Yes and No! I'm protecting her, letting her live a good live. As best as I can till she finds out and hates me. then I will live out my days in pain and misery, like I was before the Greys adopted me."

"you know she knows she has a guardian Angel. Is in love with him. How did you two meet?"

"That's a tale for her to tell. A no I'm not a pervert or pedophile. I've been patience to let her grown up. be legal. Some days looking at the feeds of her reading or sleeping is the only thing holding my sanity."

"the submissive?" I ask

"well in the beginning after Eliana, I tried the clubs in and around Boston, got a reputation. Used it to keep the vultures away. Eliana protégé in Seattle thinks she supplies me. But I turn them into my spies on her and the club. Double agents, I have Collins keep them in line and on hook. Since Eliana back in town, plotting revenge. Even had Anastasia Mom audition in middle of August. She looks like her daughter, but the eyes tell a hollow tale. She's dogging in Eliana club, to stay afloat money wise."

"You know the other players?"

"Adams in town, husband number four. The black hair one is more elusive. Using other to do the dirty work. And of course, the big bull in the china shop, Linc Lincoln, Lazarus from the dead. His prints turn up in an apartment overlooking the dorm."

"Plan?" I ask petting the dog

"I plan on returning to Seattle and confess my sins on November 1. After the costume, Halloween charity party at the Fairmont hotel. I hope to meet her in costume and have one night of happiness with her, before my exile."

"she may not hate you? she may love you"

"My life isn't cut like that, I'm not the hero, the white knight of valiant steed. My tale is more black, mercenary, Tybalt, or John Cameron Butler. This story ends badly for me, Anastasia will live a good life, loved and happy." He says with tear at his eyes, longing to grab the golden coin. He hugs the dog which licks his face to chase away the doubt and pain. I ruffle his hair.

"Bullshit, but about the tapes, files, movies?"

"There never were any, no recording, files, everything erased within second of being viewed. That why I didn't have a clear view of the villains. Now Sawyers yanked the equipment out. I'm blind, relying on Barney and Welch systems."

"ok, let's get to work, you have a company to run and I need to plan some strategies for the true villains. So buck up young Skywalker. The Princess need saving." I say as he goes to his home office and I set up in the dining room.

I call Sawyer, informing him that Grey is behind the Cameras, but is not a threat or problem, I know he doubts a little. I inform of the new threats and players. Inform Welch and Barney. Grey email Collins contact information.

Three-hour conference call goes better than I thought. Grey has been protecting the Steele and Annie for years. I'm surprise when Welch tells us Annie knew all along about the cameras. And her secret cell phone, she texts Christian on. Their using an online Lord of the Ring RPG; using the games chat room and their online elf names as cover. Very smart and secure.

He been making the sure they prospered, are protected. I remember a book mom loved, a Fred Astaire movie also; about a long-legged benefactor who get the girl in the end, Daddy long legs or something.

Quiz one: name the author: character J. Bounderby is from: get to choose Mia love interestchantellwhite86 won

Quiz two: name the book: no one tried to google this refernece: Woodcourt is from: gets to choose who kills the black hair man: the clue is in the full company name "bleak house" charles dickens :Woodcourt, Allen – Allen is a doctor. He loves Esther Summerson and marries her at the end of the novel.

Quiz three: what do they have in common? they are flawed people. they are in character and the opposite of the literature character. equally the names tell what Christian is up to and how he views the men working for him.

Hard Times Dickens: Josiah Bounderby is a business associate of Mr. Gradgrind. Given to boasting about being a self-made man, he employs many of the other central characters of the novel. He has risen to a position of power and wealth from humble origins (though not as humble as he claims). He marries Mr. Gradgrind's daughter Louisa, some 30 years his junior, in what turns out to be a loveless marriage. They have no children. Bounderby is callous, self-centred and ultimately revealed to be a liar and fraud. Mr. Bounderby spends his whole time fabricating stories about his childhood, covering up the real nature of his upbringing, which is revealed at the end of the novel.

Bleak house Charles Dickens: Allan Woodcourt is a surgeon and a kind, caring man who loves Esther deeply. She in turn loves him but feels unable to respond, not only because of her prior commitment to John Jarndyce, but also because she fears her illegitimacy will cause his mother to object to their connection.

pride and prejudice Jane Austin. Mr. Collins - A pompous, generally idiotic clergyman who stands to inherit Mr. Bennet's property. Mr. Collins's own social status is nothing to brag about, but he takes great pains to let everyone and anyone know that Lady Catherine de Bourgh serves as his patroness. He is the worst combination of snobbish and obsequious.

Light in the forest Conrad Richter:True Son (John Cameron Butler) is the story's protagonist. He was kidnapped by the Lenape from his family's home in Pennsylvania. Adopted by a Lenape family, he became assimilated into their culture, undergoing years of traditional lessons of strength and patience, with fire and freezing water tactics, until he was fifteen. At that age, he was forced by a treaty between the Lenape and Great Britain to go back to his birth family. never comfortable or accepted in either culture or famlies

Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare: Tybalt, the prince of cats. the main antagonist in the play.