Chapter 6 Missing
I wake the next morning to my phone ringing. I feel so tired I know I didn't sleep very well. I look at the phone and it's Taylor.
" Taylor what is it have you heard or found anything?"
" Yes sir, Sawyer and got a head start this morning we got the police to let us look at the CCTV footage of the park. We looked around the time we knew Mrs. Grey would be there then I went to about 1 hour before you got the call from her. We did see a lot of footage and we saw Mrs. Grey. Sir it seems at some point she is in line at the water stand that we saw yesterday, While waiting in line a woman comes up behind her and starts talking to her. Sawyer said he was watching the water stand during that part he saw some one hand the little girl a bottle of water and what looked like cash. She didn't give them the water they definitely gave it to her. Then Ana turns and buys the water. Sir she is given the water that was handed to the little girl by a person we couldn't see there face. Ana then walks some down the path and sits at a bench and drinks all the water. When she get up after a bit she doesn't seem odd but soon that comes. She throws the bottled water in a trash can. We have collected the can. We are going to need some of Ana's DNA so we can match the bottle to her so we can test it. I think she was drugged sir. That was what was making her sick. "
" Did she go down the path to the area with the water? I just know she would have went that way."
" Yes sir she did take that path. There is no camera access down that path. But, you can see by how she is walking she is not well. Later we saw a group of people four I believe walk down the path. But then only appears that three came back out on the path. We still can't track Ana's phone but the police are sending a diver down in about 30 minutes to see if they can find anything. Sir, I may request they drain the pond. It will be easier to see or find anything. "
" Do you think it may just be her phone they find or are you thinking something else Taylor? Never mind I don't want to hear if you are."
" Would you mind us taking some strands of her hair from her hair brush we need something to match DNA so we know which water bottle was hers. "
" Yes, I can go get you her hair brush it's in her dressing area of the closet. I can bring it to you."
I walk into Ana's closet everything so neatly put in it's place. She some times spends hours in here reading and fixing her hair and make up. I love that I can spoil her with so much. I see her hair brush sitting on her vanity and I see a picture of the two of us in a frame sitting by it and picture of just me. I stand staring at the picture her smile is so beautiful she has to come home I can't lose her. She is my world and life. I grab the brush and head out before I become to emotional.
Taylor is still on the phone.
" I have the brush I can bring it to the park. Is that where you are now?"
" Sir if you want just go in my office and find one of the small plastic bags in my desk and put some of her hair in there and bring it with you. Then you can put the brush back. "
" Ok, Taylor that is what I will do. Thank you. Is Sawyer still with you?"
" Yes and he really is upset with himself that he was not feeling well to accompany Mrs. Grey yesterday. "
" Ok, I am going to get dressed and head down there."
I hang up the phone and find some clothes. I take the brush into Taylor's office I find a bag and put some of the hair in it. Then as I am going out to put the brush back I see Kate and Elliot sitting on the couch just looking at me. I ignore them both and go back and put Ana's brush on her vanity right where she left it.
I go back out to see what they are staring at me for this morning.
" What is going on with you two?"
" Christian Kate thinks we need to make a statement to the press. It's all over the news this morning and now they are reporting about divers and a possibility of draining the pond. What do you think?"
" I don't know. I mean what do I say or we say. I don't think we should give anything away about what they have or have not found. This really is a private matter. I just think the press should stay out of it. "
" Christian in a perfect world they may stay out of if. But, Ana happens to be your wife and that makes her very intriguing to the public like you are. They all want to know what happened to her and some may even be thinking you had a role in it."
" Kate is absurd why would people think that. I love and adore Ana I would never do anything to harm her. "
" Christian you and I and Kate know that but people talk and they start to wonder about things. I think maybe Kate should make just a small statement about how your security is working with authorities to get to the bottom of this and you are asking for some privacy at this time. Something like that."
" Christian at least then maybe they will stop camping outside the exist to Escala. You are going to be a prisoner in here if they do that everyday. "
" No no one will keep me locked in here I will be out there looking for my wife. "
" Christian I will run a few ideas by your PR people and see what they think. What do you think about that?"
" Fine do what you have to. I am going now to the park to find Taylor. Do you two want to come along?"
" Yes,let's go."
" Mr. Grey would you like a bagel or something to take with you?"
" No thank you Gail not now."
She smiles at me as I leave but I can see it in her eyes she is worried about me and Ana. I know I should eat but, I am just not hungry. I need to find Ana then maybe I will eat with her. But, not now."
Elliot drives us there I see all the press lined up outside the building. Just waiting to get a glimpse of me I suppose. At the park there are many more people from the press. Trucks from local channels and reports from News papers and news stations. Kate is right I should let her make a statement. She has been on the phone with my PR people in the car so maybe they have come up with something say. I will have to ask her. Elliot parks the car and I feel sick I don't want to be hounded by the press or anyone. He hands me a cap and some sunglasses.
" Put those on we will look like we are out for a run. Kate will distract them by telling them that she will be giving at statement here in the parking a lot in about 15 minutes. They will all be focusing on her."
" Thanks I really hope this works because I don't want to see anyone or talk to anyone about this. "
Elliot and I get out of the car as Kate approaches a group of reporters. They all seem to be listening to her. She goes and sits on a bench and I see her writing something down that is in her phone. I really wish I knew what she was going to say but I feel confident it will be good she was talking to my people and they are great at what they do. Elliot and I stop at the police chiefs car and he lets him know that Kate will be giving a statement. The Chief goes and makes this announcement to the press. Many of them leave the area and head back to the parking lot takes the pressure off what might be found in the lake.
" Mr. Grey I need you to be prepared for anything that may come out of the water sir. There have been so spotting of your wife or calls from people requesting ransom so well it could turn out as nothing or well sir. I hate to say it but they could find her."
" Detective I thank you for the preparation but I feel confident that Ana is not in the water she is out there somewhere being held against her will. I am prepared to pay anything to get my wife back. I am going to be offering a very hefty reward and if there is a call I will not hesitate to pay it. "
" Sir with all do respect. I don't think you should agree to pay any ransom. Most of the time the victims are not found alive and you end up paying a large amount of money to some one who we never find. "
" Detective my brother is well aware of many things. Please right now is not the time to discuss with him what he should or should not do to get his wife back. He will stop at nothing to see her again so while you think you are doing him a favor by warning him of the statistics it's hot air from you because I assure you he is not listening. "
" I understand Mr. Grey, we do have the FBI coming in as we are calling this a kidnapping investigation not a murder investigation at least not yet. We would like to be able to place trackers on your phone so any calls that you receive can be tracked and possible lead us to your wife. "
" Yes if you need to do that then fine. I just want to see Ana sooner rather than later and I am here because I want to know who walked toward her and who walked out. I am assuming who ever took Ana left through the woods. I hope you all have searched the areas because I know Ana is not in the water she was carried out of here against her will. Now did my body guard give you her hair sample and have you collected the water bottles in question?"
" Yes sir we have roped off the wooded area as you an see and we have gotten the hair sample and the bottles the lab is already gotten them. I am hoping soon to have there conclusion on it."
" Good than I am going to sit here and wait on the divers."
" Christian why don't we go walking around and see if we can find anything. We can go see if Kate has made her statement yet for the press?"
" Elliot could you go and bring Kate back here. I just really would rather stay right here for now. I just need to know as soon as anything is found."
" Ok I will go get her and have come back here with me. "
I know he means well but I am glad when he walks away. I just need people to stop talking to me right now. I just can't handle it. The only thing I care and think about is the one thing that no one can find right now and that is all I can think about. I just want to be alone with my thoughts. I take my phone out and starting look through all her past txt messages to me. She always signed them with Love your A. forever I loved that. I hope she knows how much I love her and miss her right now. She is my line and I hope I told her enough.
I see Kate and Elliot coming back toward me. I am going to ask them to just give me some space for a few more minutes. I just need some time to myself here.
" Hey bro. did you hear anything yet?"
" No Elliot I haven't but, if you and Kate wouldn't mind just leaving me be for a bit. I just need some alone time. "
" Yeah no problem we will just go over there. I just want you to know the press are starting to reconvene over here so you may want to lay really low. I am sure they want to be here to if anything is located. "
" Thanks I will try and just sit out of the way and hopefully no one takes notice of me. If they do maybe you and Kate can come help me out. "
" Yes, we will you know that."
Elliot goes over to Kate and they walk a little way up the path away from me. I can see the concern for me in both there eyes. I have seen it in a lot of eyes since yesterday and I don't like it. I don't want people's pity I am here and I am being strong for Ana and I am fine. I just hope she is. The diver's come up and I hear them say how the water is merkie they are going to search father away from the dock. If they are looking for something small it will be hard to find but they have found no trace of Ana. As much as I miss her and wish she was here it gives me great joy to know they didn't find her in the water. That would have meant only one thing.
I see Taylor approaching me. " Sir, do you mind if I sit down?"
" No go ahead. Taylor I need to tell you something and then I would like you and Sawyer to question this person. Yesterday Abbey Kent came to my office and she told me she had heard from her sister some how that Ana had a lover and they had a plan to run away together after she got some of my money. I need to know more about this like who told her sister this and I don't believe the story but, could it be that Ana was taken by some one she knows?"
" Mr. Grey of course we will go see Miss. Kent. Sir I don't believe the story either. If I remember correctly Miss Kent was always very much obsessed with you could be that she herself has done something and she told you this story to throw you off of her trail. I promise you this I will find out all I can. "
" Thank you Taylor. Let's not let the police know anything unless we get to the point that there is something they need to know."
" Yes sir will do. I think Sawyer and I will head out get the phone number and her address out of the files and see if we can meet up with her. The best time to do it is while her memory is still fresh. "
" Thanks Taylor talk to you later today."
I look out at the wooded tree area that goes through the park and try to remember what the name of Abbey's sister was. I don't think when we were together she spoke of a sister. Well Taylor will get her name and then he can talk to her. I start thinking about what the police said about me getting a ransom call and part of me wishes I would so I know something about Ana. I pray who ever has her or wherever she is they have left her unharmed or she is unharmed. I would kill anyone who harmed any part of her.
" Mr. Grey, I want to introduce you to Mr. Stallings he is the head of the FBI unit here helping us with this case. They have just been briefed with what we know and what we have for evidence thus far. "
" Thank you, Mr. Stallings it is a pleasure meeting you. Thank you so much for coming and making this a priority. "
" Your welcome sir, not problems kidnappings are very much a priority. Sir I would like to ask for access to all your phones personal and business at least so we can get a handle on any calls or txts you might receive. That way we have the best chance of tracing where your wife may be and who she might be with."
" Yes, I believe I gave all the numbers to your officers. Here is the number and name of my IT guy in my office he can help you with anything you might need on that end. If you need access to my home my personal security can help with that as well. "
" Thank you sir. We will get all this going in the mean time if you hear or get any information please record it if you can and let us know. We would like to set up a tip hotline and put a reward out for any information that leads to the where about to your wife. We were told you want to put up your money. How much were you thinking? "
" I am not really sure what to start with because truth is I would pay any amount to have Ana feels like by putting an amount it's saying this is all she is worth to me. What would you recommend? I don't care you start at any price and I will be fine."
" Mr. Grey I do understand your feelings on this would you like to start at 10,000.00?"
" No that is too low. Start at 100,000.00. That is a good healthy low point. "
" Yes sir we will get this out there and have the media put the word out. Thank you for your time sir."
" Christian Kate and I are going to get something for lunch. Why don't you come with us. I don't care if you eat or not just a chance for you to get outta here for a bit and maybe clear your head. I know this whole out of your control thing must be stressing you out."
" Ha ha Elliot but, you are right. There is so much about all of this that is stressing me out. I might eat where are you guys heading to?"
" Not sure but just a quite cafe or burger shop no where fancy. A place maybe no one would expect to find Christian Grey at. Come on let's head back to the car."
I follow Elliot and Kate back to the car I have my cap and sunglasses on and I am walking with my head looking down so know one will figure out who I am. I wonder if Ana is alright is she still in Seattle. I miss you her so much. She has to be alright and come back to me. We get in the car and Elliot drives off and away from the park. Leaving there feels weird to me becauseI know that was the last place she was at. Now I have no idea.
After lunch I have Elliot take me to Grey house. I think maybe I need to work to keep my mind busy because I am going insane. When we get to the front we see so many people gathered there. So he takes me around back.
" Thanks Elliot I will call Taylor to come and get me when I am done. "
" Ok Christian but, do you really think this is the best thing to do?"
" Elliot right now I don't know what the best thing to do is so I am just going to try everything util something feels right. It will never feel normal but maybe right. "
I go into the building and straight up to my office. I hear Andrea and see her get up but I just keep walking right pass her and into my office. I sit in my chair and turn and look out at Seattle. I hear a knock at the door and i know it's Andrea.
" Come in,"
" Mr. Grey I am sorry to hear about Ana, are you sure you should be here? I mean well I its none of my business but , I am just concerned for you sir."
" Andrea I honestly don't know where to be right now. Thank you for your concern could you please just get me a coffee. "
" Yes sir coming up. "
Andrea leaves the room and I turn back to the window. This office is the one place where people can't bother me and I think that is why I want to be here. I don't want to work I just need some uninterrupted alone time. No one can understand how I feel right now and I don't want to try and explain it to anyone. I am feeling over whelmed and tired. I don't know if I can sleep but I go over to the sofa and lay down and close my eyes and mind doesn't shut off but at least I can just listen to my own thoughts and not have people asking me how I am.
There is a knock on my door and of course it's my coffee. I say a quiet come in. Andrea comes in and I don't look at her or open my eyes. Andrea just says she is putting my coffee on my desk and then I hear her leave. Ana baby what are you doing? What has happened to you? I pray you have had no harm come to you. I almost can hear her voice in my ear.
" Christian, I love you. I want to come home. Please come get me. I am scared."
I hate hearing those words I just start to cry because I want nothing more than to take her in my arms and tell her she is safe and take her home. I will do that soon.
