Chapter 14 Turn around.
Anne groaned as she rolled over and sat up in bed. She brushed a mop of hair out of her face with her hand and tried to look around remembering where she was. She was still tired and groggy. It had been a late night and a rough fitful sleep. Memories of events of the last couples days began to sift back in and cast a heavy weight in her heart. She had cried last night. A lot. She wondered what Chris thought of her. It seemed like she was crying far too much lately. It wasn't like her to be so emotional. She didn't want him to think she was this weepy basket case all the time. Things had just been difficult lately and her emotions ran close to the surface.
She looked down at herself and realized she had no memory of putting on her flannel pyjamas. She had no memory of even going to bed last night. She did faintly remember having a glass of wine, or two, or five. She looked at the clock and swore. She'd slept in. It was almost ten in the morning.
Anne stood up noting that there was no sign of Chris in her room. She wondered where he slept or if he was still here. She stepped out into the living room of the suite and saw a blanket and pillow on the couch. "Always the gentlemen", she thought. That's when the smell hit her. Bacon. A small smile crept across her tired face as she brushed her hair back with her hand. But there was another smell too. One partly masked by the bacon but just as enticing.
Feeling a chill, she snagged the blanket from the couch, wrapped it around herself and followed the smell to the kitchen. Her smile grew bigger when she saw the table was set and Chris was pulling out fresh baked bread from the oven.
Anne dropped the blanket jumping up and down with excitement, clapping her hands and grinning ear to ear.
Chris smiled casually back at her. She looked so cute with her messy hair and pyjamas. He set the bread out to cool and was just pulling off the oven mitts when Anne ran into his arms. She squeezed him tight and let her body melt into his. That feeling hit her again, a feeling of being protected, feeling safe and feeling loved.
"Good morning." He whispered to her.
"Good morning." Anne smiled to herself. Her eyes closed as she held him. A surge of emotion welled up in her threatening tears again, but she held on tight to let it pass. She breathed deeply in satisfaction before a yawn took hold of her. "I'm really beginning to like waking up with you." She eyed the food greedily.
Anne let go and gave him a quick peck on the lips before sitting down at the table. She waited for Chris to join her before dishing up scrambled eggs, bacon, yogurt, hash browns and fresh bread, but her eyes fell to a small bowl beside her. She eyed Chris with a smirk. "How...?"
Chris grinned back. "I'd like to claim intuition or attention to detail, but..."
"You asked Lene didn't you." Anne cut him off.
"Yeah. I walked out into the hall this morning and asked her what you liked for breakfast." Chris looked sheepishly at her.
Anne couldn't help beaming at him. "And what do you think?"
"You and I have a lot in common Anne, but I can safely say that pickled herring on toast for breakfast is NOT one of them." He chuckled.
Anne laughed at him but continued smiling as she dug in to her food. "It's a Scandinavian thing."
Chris waited until they were halfway into breakfast before bringing up the issues at hand. "So, what's our plan today?"
"I honestly don't know. If we've lost control of the company, representatives from ARI will want to meet to discuss their plans for the future. I'll need to get in touch with our legal team to discuss things I guess." She put a hand out for Chris and he took it without hesitation. "I'm still at a loss as to how this happened. Maybe the lawyers can figure something out. Maybe that should be out first plan of action."
Chris left it at that and they both went back to eating.
After finishing breakfast, Anne showered and got dressed. She was dreading the day ahead. The fact that ARI would likely be contacting them to set up meetings to discuss the future of Elan was a depressing thought. Anne thought she could handle most of it, but they would need Elise to finalize everything. She was the CEO after all. The first meetings would only be preliminary introductions anyway to establish communication and speaking terms.
Anne's thoughts drifted back to her sister. She wondered where Elise had gone. It wasn't like her to disappear like that. A sense of fear took hold of her, wondering if something had happened to her. It was so out of character. Elise didn't run. She faced everything head on. She also felt a sense of guilt that her comments regarding Hans were what set Elise off in the first place. But she had quickly realized that there was a lot more going on that she was not responsible for. Her comment was just the trigger, but it still hurt.
Back in the living room, she straightened Chris's tie just a little before kissing him and heading for the door. She was dressed in another business suit and skirt and had braided her hair back up similar to how it was when they first met. It was a look that made her look very professional.
Anne was startled as she reached for the front door knob to exit the apartment when someone knocked form the outside. She looked back to Chris who just shrugged.
Anne opened the door and was surprised again to find Hans standing there looking nervous. "Hans, what are you doing here?"
"Thank god I found you." He gasped stepping in and shutting the door behind him.
"Why what's going on?"
"It Elise. The police have her. She's been arrested."
"What?" Anne was shocked. Wha...how? Why?"
"There was a falsified document regarding the investment. The real document..."
"Yeah, we know about that." Anne cut him off. "ARI owns us now."
"Well, anyway, they said she's the one behind it all, trying to fraud both Elan and ARI. They're talking about charges, everything from embezzlement to insider trading. I don't believe it for a second though. Something else is going on here. Elise would never do that. I came here as quick as I could. I've spent most of the morning with our lawyers trying to see what we can do to get her released." Hans sighed rubbing his forehead. "How did it get this far? I don't understand."
"Where is she now?" Chris asked.
"Police station. They're holding her there until they can process her. I suppose a judge will be in at some point to set bail, but that could take a few days." He responded.
"Where was she? Where did they find her?" Anne felt sick to her stomach. Her sister was in jail! Her own sister! She couldn't believe it.
"I'm not exactly sure where they found her. I just found out an hour ago and I've been with the lawyers ever since. Anne, you need to leave for a while." He stared at her with deep concern and fear in his eyes.
"What? Why?"
"The police are looking for you too. They think you might be an accomplice. I don't think they have a warrant, but they'll still bring you in and detain you for an indefinite time."
"That's ridiculous. I had nothing to with it. I'm not going to run like a criminal." Anne stammered.
"You're not running Anne, the legal team just wants you to make yourself scarce for a day until they can deal with the police. If the police take you in, you'll be no help to Elise or to Elan and it will be harder to get you both out. If we can give the lawyers a little time, they'll put a stop to this nonsense and then we can focus on Elise right away and minimize the damage. Do you understand?" Hans was sweating and wiped his forehead again.
"I don't like it." Anne stated.
"Well that's two of us." Hans agreed. "I really don't like any of it, but the lawyers pushed me to tell you to get out before the police come. They said the team would be in contact later this afternoon if all goes well. I'm sorry Anne. You both deserve better but it's the best I could do on such short notice."
"Alright." Anne agreed looking subdued. "Where are we going to go?" She looked at Chris.
"Your house?" Chris inquired. "Or how about that cabin you spoke of?"
"No." Hans cut in. "The house is too obvious and I think the cabin is where they found Elise. They may have left someone there in case you showed up. But I do have the helicopter ready. I called this morning when I first heard and had them bring it. It's parked on the roof, fuelled and ready to go. Just go. Get out of the city for today. I'll head back and talk to the legal team. By tomorrow you should be okay, in a few days we should have Elise back and then we can focus on getting control of Elan back."
"Thank you Hans." Anne reached out a hand.
Hans took it and kissed it. "Thank you Anne. You and Elise have done so much for me. I only hope I can repay you." He looked over to Chris and shook his hand. "Take care of her Chris. I'll see you both soon." Hans opened the door and disappeared.
Anne paced across the room and back. "Where are we going to go?" She looked to Chris. "You should stay. They're not looking for you. There's no need for you to be involved." Anne's heart felt like it was sinking deeper and deeper. She willed herself to hold it together. She couldn't break down now. But breaking down felt like it was the only thing she could do.
"No." Chris stated softly. It wasn't a demand or a defiant argument. It was a simple loving 'No'. "Do you think I could actually abandon you when you and Elise need all the help you can get right now?"
"No." Anne sighed. "Of course I don't. I'm sorry." She walked back to Chris and gave him a hug. "I want to grab some cloths first before we go. Okay?" She left Chris and went to her room to pack a small travel bag before returning. Chris did the same.
She stopped at the living room window and looked down to the street. As she looked down she saw a couple police cars parked in front in front and a moment of panic set in. "They're here. We need to leave now."
Anne walked across the room taking Chris's hand and opened the door. She couldn't believe this was happening. They hurried down the hall to the elevator and stepped in. Anne took him the to the rooftop where the helicopter sat waiting.
The pilot was out walking around, making sure everything was ready when he looked up and smiled. "Good morning Ms. Brekke. Beautiful day for flying isn't it. Then again any day I can fly is a beautiful one." He chuckled to himself. "Where would you like to go?"
"Up." Anne chuckled trying to sound casual. "Let's just get in the air first. Then we'll decide."
"Sure thing. Hop in and buckle up. I'll have us going in few minutes." He nodded.
"Thanks Jan." Anne opened the passenger door for Chris and he began to climb in.
"You know," Jan spoke up again making small talk, "I thought on a sunny day like today you would have joined your sister in the great outdoors."
"What was that?" Anne spun around looking at him.
"Your sister." Jan repeated. "I thought you would have joined her at the cabin. It was gorgeous out there this morning when Mr. Isaksen and I stopped by. I was hoping he would have stayed a while so I could have enjoyed some of that beautiful fresh mountain air. But unfortunately he said he had lots of things to do."
Anne looked stunned again. "You mean Elise is still out at the cabin?"
"Well yeah. We flew straight here after. Only arrived back here at the Ice Palace about thirty minutes ago." Jan added. Anne thought about this. She hadn't heard the helicopter arrive. She must have been in the shower.
Anne looked up at Chris. "He lied! Hans was lying! Come on." Anne turned to head back into the building. Chris followed.
"Are we still going flying?" The pilot called.
"Later." Anne returned as she headed for the stairs. The elevator was too slow. She hurried down as fast as she could in heels without slipping. She nearly fell twice.
Anne came back out on the fifteenth floor next to the elevators they had just entered and headed down the hall toward the reception desk where Lene was talking to a couple police officers.
"Ah, Ms. Brekke. The officers here are looking for Mr. Isaksen. He was just here wasn't he?"
"Yes. He left about ten minutes ago." Anne replied looking confused.
"You have a helipad on the roof, do you not?" The second officer asked.
"Yes. You're welcome to check, but we just came from there. He's not up there." Anne replied. "Why do you want him?"
The second officer radioed in something before leaving to head out to the roof where Anne and Chris had just come from.
"A warrant has been sworn out for his arrest." The first officer replied.
"His arrest?" Chris spoke up from behind. "Why? What did he do?"
"Theft, embezzlement, fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud...and a few others." The officer listed them off.
Anne's mind was spinning, trying to sort out what was truth or lies. She hesitantly asked, "Was he acting alone?"
"No. He had a conspirator working on the inside. A woman."
Anne felt sick again fearing her sisters involvement. "What was her name?" She asked hesitantly.
He checked his notepad. The few seconds wait was killing Anne until he spoke. "Miss. Madeline Hauge. Do you know her?"
"Only by reputation, officer." Anne replied quickly. The load off her shoulders was huge. The relief that Elise was not involved was almost overwhelming as was the realization that Elise was not in jail. It surprised even Anne. It must have shown because the officer looked at her strangely.
"Is there something you wish to add?" The officer questioned her.
"Yes." Anne replied. "We were led to believe, by Mr. Isaksen, that he was innocent and that my sister was involved. In fact we were led to believe quite a few things that seem to have been lies. I am relieved to know the truth and in light of these events I believe we will be able to provide you with more evidence against him that may lead to further charges."
"If I may," Chris cut in. "Who's pressing the charges?"
The officer checked his notes again before replying. "Anders Harlson."
Chris's jaw dropped. "What does Harlson have to do with it?"
Anne turned to Chris and looked at him strangely. "Excuse me? Where have you been for the last three days? Having a memory lapse?" She teased.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Anders Harlson?" Anne taunted. "Owner and CEO of the the company we've been talking about. ARI?"
The light clicked on suddenly in Chris's head. "ARI is Anders Research Incorporated and I'm a total idiot." He slapped his forehead.
Anne smiled at him before turning back to the officer. "Thank you for your time officer. We'll be in contact if you'd care to leave a card or your number."
"Your welcome." The officer handed Anne his card. "Please call us if you see Mr. Isaksen or if you have anything else to add. Thank you." The officer turned and left.
Anne and Chris both breathed a huge sigh of relief. She looked at him with an odd smirk. "What was that about? Haven't you ever heard of Anders Harlson?"
"Yes." Chris chuckled. "It's the company name I never put together. I knew he was owner of Anders Research Incorporated but I'd never heard it referred to as ARI. Stupidly on my part, I just didn't put the two together." He remembered hearing something about the company rebranding themselves a year ago but hadn't paid much attention. He had never heard the name ARI until yesterday.
Anne smiled again, but the fact of ARI still taking over her company was beginning to press her. She turned to the receptionist. "Lene, could you call ARI please, and set up an appointment so we can sort out the changeover of control and make this as painless as possible. Maybe we can help each other as well, regarding Hans and Madeline."
Chris stepped in and put his hand on the phone receiver so Lene couldn't pick it up. "I think I can do better, now that I know who we are dealing with." He grinned smugly at Anne. "Let me make the call."