Chapter 30
Some days it was just best to stay in bed, throw the damn alarm clock out the window, and pull the blankets over your head. Detective Marlowe sat in his car and wished once again that he had stayed in bed. "Well, fuck, let's get this over with." He said to his partner, Sybil Long who stared in awe at the lovely estate house that they were parked in front of. She whistled.
"Must be nice to be rich."
"Yeah, rich and connected." He opened the door and stepped out of the car. "This will be waste of our time. Our suspect will be out on bail in less than an hour."
"Then, why bother?" Sybil asked.
"It's an election year, Rookie. Gotta keep the Commissioner's name in the public eye for those votes."
"Christian Grey, you have the right to remain silent…" Ana screamed as the voice of the arresting officer faded as she heard the whoosh of her water breaking. She looked down to see her feet. She was wearing yellow duck house slippers. "Where are you taking him? You can't have him…the baby is coming….NOOOOOOO….NOOOOO…." She doubled over as the first pain raced through her abdomen.
"Ma'am, you have to move away and let us do our jobs."
Ana stared down at her duck slippers and began to laugh. They were talking to her. "Oh, god…this is just a dream."
The talking duck slippers faded and the voice of her husband brought her out of her weird dream. "Baby, are you alright." He asked with a worried look on his face. "Honey, wake up."
It took a while but Ana's eyes focused on her husband. She burst into tears and grabbed him onto her. "Oh, Christian, you are here…they tried to take you…and the duckie slippers were talking and the baby was coming."
"Whoa, girl, slow down. I'm here." He had to stifle his giggle about the duck slippers so not to upset her. He had learned in the progress of their pregnancy not to get her upset. Her temper ran as hot as her libido. "I'm not going anywhere."
"You were being arrested…and my water broke." She gasped frantically. Her fingers bit into his forearms holding him close. "You can't leave me…you just can't!" The tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Promise me, you won't leave me…promise!"
"Baby, I promise, I won't leave you. I will never leave you." He kissed her on the tip of her nose, then kissed away her tears. "Now, that I got you where I want you…" He wiggled his eyebrows up and down. "I want you, Ana. God, I love you."
"Oh Christian, I love you so much. Please." She rolled over to her side so he would have direct access. She relaxed as he slid into her and his arms held her gently close to him. He didn't move, but savored the intimacy of their union. She understood his need for she felt the same way. "Love me, baby…love me."
"We aim to please, Mrs. Grey." He laughed then took her to heights unimagined.
Grace Grey usually did not get time for a coffee break when working at the hospital. Since she arrived there at five thirty in the morning, it had been non-stop in the ER. Of all her voluntary rotations, the ER was the worst. Her heart ached for the children who were brought in by desperate parents or the ambulance. She had already seen two broken bones, a chipped tooth, and a very serious car wreck that sent the young patient to the OR. She was still waiting to hear if the little girl survived her horrific injuries. Grace shook her head wondering why people didn't use car seats for their children.
For her fifteen minute break, she thumbed through a magazine that was six months old then turned on the break-room television. She really wasn't paying attention until she heard the Grey name. Her head shot up just in time to see a blonde headed reporter outside the courthouse giving her report. Grace couldn't understand what she was hearing because her heart was racing hard and all she could hear was the blood pounding through her veins. All she heard was attempted murder, booked and photographed, and no bail set at this time. She jumped when her cell phone rang.
"Carrick…what's happening?" She felt her heart stop when he didn't say anything. "Carrick…the news…"
"Gracie, it's Elena Lincoln, she's been arrested for attempted murder on our daughter-in-law. The police are saying that she masterminded the crime and brought in Carla Adams…she paid the woman to kill our Ana."
Grace dropped her phone as she slid from her chair. She could hear Carrick yelling her name but she couldn't speak. Her heart was broken and she could feel it breaking in her chest. As her eyes rolled back into her head she could hear her beloved husband calling for her.
"I can't talk now, Carrick…not now…maybe later…" She wanted to say but her words were jumbled. Dr. Grace Grey lay on the floor of the break room in cardiac arrest.
The Grey Family sat in the OR Family Waiting Room with grim looks on their faces. Elliot and Christian paced as they waited to hear about their beloved mother. Carrick sat between Mia and Ana and the girls held his hands. He was trying not succumb to his fear of losing his wife.
"She's going to be alright. Gracie is so strong." He kept saying to anyone who was listening. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I forgot to call her parents…Theo is going to kill me."
"I got it, Dad." Elliot said as he took out his phone. "I'll send someone to drive the grandparents over here. Grandfather shouldn't be driving." Elliot stepped away and began to issue orders.
Christian paced his way over to the window. The memories of his Mom played in his head. Grace smiling at him for no particular reason. Grace sitting beside him at the piano teaching him how to play when he was six, then sitting beside him as they perform duets. Grace crying when she thought she was alone in her library after dealing with his many expulsions from school. He could see her happy, proud tears when he graduated High School with honors and it was announced that he had been accepted into Harvard with scholarship. She was always there for him, thru the good and thru the bad. Mom was constant. She was his rock that kept him grounded. She was truly his angel. As he bowed his head, he felt a soft hand take his. He knew that Ana was beside him. He drew her into his body and relished the warmth of her love. "I can't lose her, Ana."
"You won't Christian. Grace is a strong woman. She won't let a heart-attack take her out. The only thing that would ever take out Grace Grey is a Mack truck." She reached up and kissed the curve of his strong jaw. "Besides, do you think she would miss the birth of her grandson? I think not!"
Jail wasn't so bad, Elena Lincoln thought to herself. She was in a cell by herself and she was still in her designer clothes. The cops had taken her into custody just as she finished her morning beauty routines. She was dressed in a black silk skirt that fell just above her knee with a gold belt that emphasized her small waist. Her cream colored long sleeve blouse was also silk and buttoned down the front in gold buttons. Her bottle blonde hair was freshly cut into her signature page-boy cut that emphasized her jawline and made her neck look longer. Her bangs were swept aside as if she was standing before a softly blowing wind machine for a magazine spread. Her makeup was perfect and she was standing in her $1300 black Manolo Blahniks 5 inch stilettos. She paced a bit in her cell then sat on the hard concrete bed and studied her blood red fingernails. She was glad she took the time to get a manicure just the day before. Her long hand went up to feel her earrings then she remembered that they had been confiscated by the booking officers as well as her very expensive watch.
"This is all that little bitches fault? Damn Carla for missing and Damn Ana Steele for getting Christian all riled up and confused wanting brats!" She heard a door unlock and the slow approach of a man. She smiled up at him.
"Mrs. Lincoln, your lawyer, Carter Plant is here to see you." The officer said as he unlocked her cell.
"My lawyer is Carrick Grey. I don't know any Carter Plant." She said coming to her feet.
"All I know is that there is a lawyer here claiming to be your attorney." He stepped into the cell and motioned her to turn around so he could handcuff her.
"Do you really have to do that, Officer? I don't think I am risk to anyone."
"Mrs. Lincoln, I figured you would rather enjoy this. Isn't this you standard behavior with underage boys?" Elena Lincoln frowned as the cuffs went on rather tightly. "This way, Inmate."
Carter Plant was a rather unsightly man. He was about thirty pounds overweight, balding, and his clothes did not fit well. Ambulance chaser could easily be used to describe his business practices. He had enough polite manners to stand when Elena Lincoln was escorted into the room. He remained standing as the handcuffs were unlocked from behind her back and she was tethered to chains that were embedded in the heavy table.
"Mrs. Lincoln, I am Carter Plant, your lawyer."
"You are not my lawyer. Carrick Grey is my lawyer." Elena snarled. This was a waste of her time. She needed Carrick. If he was representing her, no court in the State of Washington would convict her.
"Mrs. Lincoln, Carrick Grey refused your case when your ex-husband and a male friend of yours, by the name of Isaac Stewart made contact with Grey and Associates. Of course, you have to understand, Mr. Grey could not take your case since it is his daughter-in-law that you are accused of trying to murder."
"I had nothing to do with that!" Elena snarled. "I didn't shoot at that little bitch."
"Mrs. Lincoln, if you don't want my services, just say so and I will gladly go, however, I will inform you that there isn't an ethical or distinguished law firm that will touch your case. You are persona non gratia." He sat and waited for her to say something but after a few seconds, he began to gather his paperwork. "I will let the court know that you do not have legal representation."
"Wait!" She exclaimed angrily. "Can you get out me on bond?"
"No, Mrs. Lincoln, you are charged with First Degree Attempted Murder. There is no bail. Besides, you are considered a flight risk." He closed his briefcase. "Sorry, Mrs. Lincoln, but you have been fucked … by yourself."
Carter Plant left the interrogation room with a smile. The old bitch was good and rattled. He dialed his cellphone as he laughed. "It's done…she has no legal representation."
"I owe you one, old friend."
"Hey, just take me fishing soon."
"It's a deal, just say when, Carter."
"I'll be calling you soon, Ray."
Four weeks had passed since Elena had been arrested. She was still in the county jail awaiting her trial dates. She had to apply for a state funded attorney and she was not happy with the pimpled-face just out of law school lawyer. He was nervous and his constant clearing of his voice was like scratching her nails across a chalkboard. She thought that a good caning would help his attitude.
"Mrs. Lincoln, it would be best for you to admit your guilt and throw yourself on the mercy of the court." The young pup recommended as he once again cleared his voice. As he started to speak again, his voice cracked and croaked.
"Listen here, Toad-boy…I am not going to take the heat on this. I had nothing to do with some murder attempt on a twit. I have better things to do then worry about the child bride of Christian Grey."
"Mrs. Grey is not a child bride." He looked through his papers on this client. "There are also other charges that you need to address also, such as endangering a minor, physical assaults on minors, child porn, child porn distribution, and the solicitation of prostitution…oh yes, and a charge of solicitation of child prostitution. Mrs. Lincoln each of these charges could land you in prison for the rest of your life."
"Only if I am convicted." The old biddy smiled with such evil that her lawyer sat back. When he first was introduced to Seattle's Madam as the press was calling her, he thought her rather attractive. Her hair was still blonde and styled nicely. Now her hair hung almost to her shoulders, the tips still white blonde, but her roots where a dark grey. She no longer had access to her beauty creams, balms, and makeup and her usually hidden age spots were on display. Her lips were cracked and thin. Prison was not a good look on the once proud socialite. Her silk clothing had been replaced with an orange jumpsuit that read inmate on the back.
"Mrs. Lincoln, you will most certainly be convicted and convicted by your own hand. The evidence was found in your home, on your computers, and the photos were found in your safe. There is no defense for you."
"If I go down, sonny boy…this whole fuckin' place is goin' down with me!"
Grace was all smiles as her children made their way into her sitting room. She had been home for 24 hours with only Carrick to tend to her. He wouldn't leave her side and he asked the family to let them have this time to let Grace assimilated to her home. She had spent the last month in the hospital then a rehabilitation center to gain her strength again. She had undergone open heart surgery. Three blockages had been removed and the doctors decided to replace a valve. She had substantial muscle damage and would have to rehabilitate slowly. Her fourteen to twenty hour days were over and she was on medical leave until further notice.
Grace could hear the laughs of her children but her mind wandered back to just yesterday when Carrick brought her home. He had carried her into the house and gently sat her on the sofa in her sitting room/office.
"Oh Gracie, it's so good to have you home." Carrick kneeled at her feet and kissed her hands. "You have no idea how scared I was. I don't…I wouldn't be…I couldn't…"
"Carrick, don't." She said softly seeing the tears in his eyes. "I'm here. I will get stronger."
"I nearly lost you." He declared finally facing his biggest fear. "I thought I had lost you."
"I love you, Carrick and I'm not going anywhere." She leaned forward and kissed his lips. "You can't get rid of me that easy."
"Never, ever, my darling wife." He smiled at her. "Ana is doing well…getting bigger each day."
"We are going to be grandparents! And, it's Christian doing it!" She began to laugh. "Remember when we thought he was gay and hiding it? Who knew?"
Carrick joined her with his deep baritone laugh. "Yeah, that boy is full of surprises."
"Do you think they know what they are having?" Grace asked with a grandmother's wonderment.
"Grace, if they do, do you think they would tell us?"
Grace laughed to herself knowing that Christian and Ana were very private people. When they wanted people to know their business, they would be the ones to reveal the information. As her family filed into her sitting room, her heart filled with love and gratitude that she was still among her loved ones. Her eyes sparkled with tears as Christian escorted his pregnant wife into the room. She was all belly at seven months and my goodness…did she look beautiful! Ana glowed with joy! After receiving kisses from Mia and Elliot, Christian bent down before her and took her hands. He smiled at her with his lovely gray eyes, then kissed her hands.
"Mom, we are having a …"
