Chp08 Family woes and sugar plums
**Underline indicate real places, things or others word: if you google them you can see things I reference **
Seattle:
I hate this rainy disgusting place. Seven days in hellish Washington state. First my Daughter marries against my wishes; costing me my wealth. The Wealth I should have inherited. Mother was senile when she left the wealth to Anastasia. I don't see how the courts didn't see it. Now I have to live on 50,000 pounds ($64k) a year, my inheritance. All ready the mealy mouth directors at the Firm are kowtowing to Grey's people; Selling me out.
Worst; I'm exiled to Newark Park, the Grand house on Honeythorn Close is rented by the National Trust, Great-Grandmother donated it during the war (WWII). So, we live down by the River Severn off Rea Lane, The House is the worst of retired country gentleman layout and design. Good only to bribe the fishing and birding idiots at the Firm with.
At least my economic is better, Eliana and Leia are staying in America. She hooked up with a Dom we meet years ago in London. She handed me the divorce papers this morning. She must have planned this for years. Hamilton was relieved they are no longer a burden to me. She wanted out quickly to marry immediately. So, she took no money. Just her jewels. I know she's already looted the lock box at the Bank and the London house.
Well my ungrateful eldest daughter; You can't fire me from the Firm, and she will have to pay me. That will add on about 50,000 pounds ($64k) a year more. I should be able to maintain some lifestyle. Maybe shame Anastasia into giving me more money to not embarrasses her and the new upstart commoner she sluting with.
Better, if she gives me another 400,000 pounds ($508k) a year. I'll sign over the ungrateful welp of mine. Frank Jr... Yes, that it! Sell the boy, he's no use to me. Besides my solicitors believe I couldn't win any custody fight. If I sign over the boy, don't contest the wardship. That would be worth money; I need to live like my rank dictates.
Looking out the airplane window, finally we are moving. I could live in Camden, close to the clubs I like. Find a young submissive. Yes. That would do. I'll have Hamilton negotiate with Anastasia when she surfaces from her honeymoon.
I try to sleep on the plane, we have to stop at T. F. Green International Airport in some state called Rhode Island or something or other. Out-process custom and fly home to England. I have the weekend in the clubs to myself, memberships are paid till the new year. Yes, it's going to be a very good weekend in London's BDSM scene. The Americas have been a mill stone around my neck since Carla show up in the Black Room Club in Islington. I take a pill to sleep.
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Grey Manor the next day Friday :0600: Grace-pov
"Carrick, Grace, Ray. The Earls plane disappeared about two hundred miles west of Killarney Ireland last night at around 0200. Fisherman reported a small jet crashing into the sea. They're bringing in wreckage. No survivors." Welch tell us.
I look at the hallway. I must go to Frankie, comfort him. I head up stair to find the door locked. Frankie has taken over Elliott room. I go to my room, and get the master key, a long brass rod, that slipped thru the small hole in the knob, release the lock.
I push open the door, OK! This is going to be embarrassing. I walk to the bed. Looking at the angelic couple asleep. Frankie is held by Charlotte in a lovers embrace. Their faces are young and innocent. I go to the bathroom, fill two glasses with cold water.
Deja-Vue strikes me. I did the same thing went Elliott was fifteen, after the Coping Together Gala. He had three girls in his bed, all naked. Two eighteen-years-old and forty something cougar. She lucky Elliott confessed to lying about his age. She thought he was eighteen. But that was Elliott, this is Frankie and Chuckie. I aim carefully and pour each glass on a face. That got them awake.
"Frankie! I told you no girl in your room with the door locked, and no sleep overs!" At least they are clothed.
Chuckie pulls her soaked knee length nightshirt away from her body. "Grace. We have been sleeping together since kindergarten. He's' my boyfriend. I'll damm well sleep with him, when and where I damm well like." She gets in my face. I seethe with anger.
"ALL RIGHT EVERY ONE OUT OF THE ROOM. GRACE GET DRESSED. Charlotte GO TO THE GUEST ROOM AND SHOWER AND CHANGE. I WILL BE HERE THE WHOLE TIME. UNDERSTAND ME!" Ray shouts in that command or else voice. We scatter.
I arrive to Cary smirking at me in our bedroom. "I forgot to mention Chuckie sneaked in around eleven last night."
"How did you know?"
"He picked Elliott's old room, after Elliott told them about the easy access in and out of the house. Neither realized that I installed alarms to cover that gap when Elliott was sixteen. It's to be expected for a while. Till they both settle. Grace, they have been the only support system they can trust. Till Anna's gets back. We have to be patient and not get upset and angry in positions we will regret.
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Ray-pov
I'm happy the asshole is dead. Now I only have to worry about Cruella, half-sister and the new man in their life. A real dirt bag BDSM sadist name Lionel 'Linc' Lincoln. A multi-millionaire lumber baron; He's already on my shit list. Sending a letter to start a relationship with Anna and Christian.
But the current problem is the kids. Since Anna and Christian jet off Friday to Alaska. Frankie has been unstable to say the least. His parents disowned him, his sister publicly humiliated him. Grace and Chuckie have been at each other's throats over the kid's budding sexuality and closeness. There are times in the past week I'm glad I wasn't around for this stage of teenage rebellion with Anna.
I need a female perspective. A female solution? I pull my cell. "Andrea. Ray. The kids slept over again. Grace is nearing the end of her rope. Any ideas? Yea's I'm desperate." I listen as she outlines a plan.
I was planning on heading down to Oregon for the annual VFW fishing tournament. I always place, if I don't win. I've won the last five years. Make it a boys' outing. Andrea is taking the girls to Mrs. Trevelyan Micro-Banking convention in Kentucky's Southern Appalachian. She has booked several rooms at the historic Berea College's Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant across the street from the campus.
They fly out this afternoon on Christian's jet. We will motor down to Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River for the VFW Annual Fishing Tournament. My regular crew is at McCormick Campground on the North End of the lake. A couple of extra tents shouldn't be a problem.
The kids aren't happy about being split. But its for their own good. I smile as the ladies leave for eastern hills. A chance to bond and understand each other.
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Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River:
I find it funny that We have throw Frankie and Carrick in the river more than Elliott before Friday night's dusk. I think Luke and Ferguson have pissed themselves a couple of time laughing at the Grey's and Frankie show. I know I have. The comedy show started on the trip down here.
"Why can't I drive? I drive at home? Don't I Ferg? I drive good! Honestly!" The two are pouting and arguing with a stone wall, each direction.
"When your sixteen you can drive, not a day earlier. Got that Ferguson! No more Driving lessons!" Carrick is losing it as Elliott cuts a loud fart. That has us rolling down windows.
"Shouldn't have had those extra hot sauce fish burritos this morning!" Elliott laughs at our gagging.
Xxxxxxxx
Watching Frankie and Carrick try to set up the cabin tent is a two-beer show. They argue about everything. Which direct the door, which spot to set it up. Who drives stakes, sweeps the ground and who sets up poles, how much tension the poles and stays are under.
"CARY THE ROPE IS TO LONG, THE ANGLE WON'T LAST!"
"FRANKIE, IT WILL. YOUR WAY HAS THE LOOP TO SHORT, NO ADJUSTMENT!"
"YEA LIKE WE CAN ADJUST IT THAT LOOSE!"
Elliott sitting next to me. Bumps my shoulder. "They are worse than Christian and dad. I swear; if either would calm down, they would be out of the weather before midnight."
"Ferguson hasn't Frankie been camping?"
"Kind of; the Major would have Anna and him out doing SAS styles camping. Roughing, under a tarp on the open ground. I don't think either have ever been in a real tent." He smirks at the duel duo.
"Well Lou's got steak chili for dinner. It a good luck tradition for the crew's victory. His wife makes it before he heads here, so it edible. (pointing at the dueling duo) If they are still at it afterwards; we'll throw them in the river to cool off. Then help them set up the tent. Let's go. (Elliott cuts a loud fart) "Thank God Elliott is in his own tent."
"Hey Elliott is at least keeping the bugs at bay and the competition. What's with the Gray Harbor Navy Crew giving you the stink eye?" Luke asks
"Hey Luke! I have a delicate stomach. Kate said so!" Elliott grouses in good nature.
"They are still mad from being the goat (last place) for last three years. Claimed we put a hex on them. It's just their egos are bruised from getting the GOLDEN MINNOW (last place trophy) so often." I laugh as we all smirk at the poor Navy Vets.
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Saturday morning:
The water is glass as the whiffs of fog roll away from dawn's intrusion. Broken sun ray's pierce the eastern mountains. Heralding the sudden rise of our star over the ridge. We glide un-powered, drifting with the current. Watching the depth finder, we see the targets. We throw the lures, slowly reeling in the slack and hoping the prize will snack on our offering. The world is quiet as shadow recede and blue water sparkles to life, not a sound intrudes this moment of bliss in this wonderful world.
I point, Carrick on the trolling motor heads closer to shore, a shelf of underwater vegetation just peaks the surface. The fish are there. I smile at the vision of hoisting the trophy and making the navy guys eat crow.
Near three o'clock, the official ending time for day one. The kegger is ready to begin, once the tallies are announced. I relax as we are third behind the Portland VFW and Idaho's Cambridge VFW. Both are local's; this is their home turf. We are just two pounds from the lead. The Gray Harbor Navy group is down by eighteen pounds. The golden minnow award is theirs by at least five pounds. I enjoy their humiliation.
Carrick and Frankie are calming down, with the new social interactions. Carrick is relaxed as a fellow vet and not the premier lawyer of the state. I noticed at the reception how stiff and controlled he was all the time. Reminded me of me during my staff days at D.C... I think like Christian, he needs to be in control of his emotions. At the Tarmac, he was itching to take a pound out of the Earl. I will work on some father-in-law to father-in-law things for us to do; I know the ladies are wanting to match make me. I bet Grace will love events like this, not the upper society bullshit.
A lot of guys brought sons and grandsons. I marvel at how young and easy Frankie is with kids near his age. The older jaded boy is becoming a normal young man. I like him a lot. Elliott is relishing playing the older brother, the cool brother. He has several jet skies for the kids while the adults kill a keg or three this late afternoon. Lonnie from the Edmonton Navy crew is roasting a whole pig, ala Texas. It's going to be a great night. I can't wait to have Anna down next year. The ladies will love her; Half a dozen have asked about her.
Carrick tells me Christian is a keen fisherman. The boy is getting better and better with everything I discovery about him. All the darkness is being left behind. Only step mommy, half-sister and new sadist remain. The World is looking up for me. I wonder how the ladies in Appalachian are doing.
Carrick-pov
"Frankie what do you want out of life?" I ask as we meander down the shore away from the party. Tomorrow we head home. Frankie can afford to skip Monday at Seattle Prep.
"I don't know anymore. I thought? I thought; I won't make it out alive, out of the family. I was prepared to set Anna free. End my families hold on her. I never really dreamed of what tomorrow might mean."
I fume at this brilliant boy, torment to the point of noble suicide. To give his sister a future without the Family. To give Chuckie a future without him. I let him talk. He needs to feel he has some control in his life.
"I want Charlotte, to be my wife. I want to do something with my music, photograph. I want to be able to walk and talk without fear. Without having to justify my life, my relationship with Chuckie. To anybody, Eliana, Grace, you?"
"We understand this is a radical change, from the evils of your father's household. We aren't judging you or Chuckie. We need to move you both to healthier decisions, goals. Grace is afraid of making the same mistakes she made with Elliott and Christian. She wants to be the mother you deserve, need."
"I know. Its just without Anna I don't know if can trust you guys?"
I see his problem, so like I had been at his age. So, like my early life in my fu ##ked up family. Trust how do you start trusting when your whole life has been in a tiger pit. I need to tread carefully with the answers I give him.
"You can trust us, if you think we are unfair or not understanding. I want you to talk to Ray or Roz. Ok? You are safe, you are loved, and you are part of this family." I say. Hugging him, letting the tears flow from both of us. We have suppressed our emotions too long. I need to make amends to Christian. Talk and help him understand where I'm coming from.
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Berea College in Kentucky Southern Appalachian.
The Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant. The hotel is owned by the college, with many of the students working here: I sit at the solid cherry wood desk made by Berea College Student Crafts. Crafting my thoughts on the coming conferences. Nursing a delightful Just Good Weeds Tea from Owens Acres - Lavender, Herbs, and Tea, LLC. Ice very healthy herbal tea contains Dandelion, Nettle, Plantain, Spearmint, and Blessed Thistle. Just what I need for the coming night.
Sharing our double bed room with mom. Because of the late additions we only have two double rooms. Four beds, six women; Mia and Chuckie & Andrea and Kate are doubling up. Our security is staying nearby at the Knights Inn.
The plane ride here was a deathmatch between me and Chuckie. We had to be separated several times, that girl will not listen. I can't allow her and Frankie's to have sex at my house. She just doesn't see it as different now. That infuriating girl!
We rampage thru the hotel till Andrea drags the youngsters to the nearby Brea College's Seabury Athletic Center for a cardio class, and hour of laps in the pool. I sat on the Hotel porch sipping a pot of local French tea from Owens Acres - Lavender, Herbs, and Tea, LLC for an hour. I needed the Caffeine free and sweet uplift of lemon balm, mint, and lavender, with sweet highlights of local honey tea; To relax my frayed nerves.
Mom is at a mixer/symposium on how the microbank and loan groups are doing. How to improve the outcomes for the money spent. There are serious reports on problems with the concept.
Many people are wanting Mom to give a full lecture on crafting a community approach to micro banking. Her practice of not doing spot loans, but building a trade and commerce foundation within a community to help make the loans successful. Her non-profit home knitting business is very successful model of her vision.
She supplies materials, handles orders, shipping and marketing for hand-knitted scarfs, hats, and mitts. She scored very big with her animal knitted caps three years ago. The profits are fed back into the business with college loans, classes to improve the lives of the mostly women she employs.
Several of Elliott pro-sport friends have promoted her business. The current Seahawks offensive guard graduated high school and college because my mother helped him and his mother out of a battered women's shelter. He's a big supporter.
I have been invited to a Medical professional gathering this evening at the Kentucky Artisan Center. They are having an informal gathering. Dr. Walterman, one of my friends from Doctors Without Borders roped me in when she found out I was coming here. Someone emailed her, I suspect Andrea is behind this.
Saturday evening, we have a play at the amphitheater in Brea College Forest on the Indian Fort Mountain trail. Andrea has Chuckie and me down for an afternoon hiking to Eastern and Western Pinnacles before the play. Kate, Mia and her are going to the Shaker Village at nearby Pleasant Hill.
I'm not sure I want to hike with the little shit. She is just so rude and pig headed. Mom was laughing at my grousing over her attitude. She kept saying 'mirror, mirror on the wall looking at yourself as a teen is never fair or far to fall'. Maybe Dad is right, Mom's getting addled in her dotage.
She refused to explain what she meant, Andrea laughed that karma is what mom is saying. That Chuckie is me as a teenager, and I got off scot free with Mia. I think they are nuts. She is nothing like me as a child or teenager. I didn't really discover boys till a certain ponytail lawyer just out of the Army ran over me at a convention on international slavery in New York.
I wonder how he's making out with Frankie?
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Walking in the warm summer day in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Berea College Forest is one of the oldest managed private forests in the United States. It seems; Just the two of us are about this afternoon. The smells and colors of the Indian Fort Mountain trail to the Eastern Pinnacle are heaven after weeks in the city. I hope we can find middle ground to move forward.
"Chuckie what do you want out of life?"
"Frankie"
"Besides Frankie? Career? What is your passion?"
"Frankie. I always thought going to work for Uncle Cliff at MI-6, or teaching. But my passion is following Frankie. Its hard to explain. Without him, I'm nobody."
"Charlotte you are somebody. You don't need to be Frankie's shadow to be successful in life."
"See I'm not explaining it right. Frankie is more than my soulmate, boyfriend. He's this light that makes my world worth living. When he's around me I feel normal, tough, feminine; It's hard to define? From the first time we met in Kindergarten. He treated me like I was normal, like I was special. Not a freaky to pointed at and scorned. He just makes my world better!"
"That him being your soulmate. But you are your own person. Don't you see?"
We walk for a bit in silence. Till a fork in the trail says right to the Eastern Pinnacles. Left to the Western Pinnacles. We head left we will backtrack to the Western Pinnacles and if time allows the Devils Kitchen before the play in the Amphitheater, we passed near the trail head.
"Before my mother died, she sat me in the garden near our house. Her and Dad were escaping for an adult weekend at our country house outside London. She told me how much I meant to her, she was very Intune to our karma. I think she sensed her end. She told me that a boy would win my heart by being unafraid to treat me like a princess and a hellion however I chose to be. That he would nurture me to be happy and free of my mind. That I would protect him from the petty evils that bedeviled him." She turned to me.
"He wants me to have a career, family, and future. Even if it with some else. He's hording a bottle of opioids to end his life; when it got to rough and Anna couldn't save him or herself. He always put other ahead of himself. He doesn't see how smart or great he really is. He's sacrifices so much to be at this point in his life. Anna has sacrificed even more to protect him. I'm rattling this? Frankie is more than my future; he's my world, always has been. From the moment he slugged me in Kindergarten; we knew we were meant to be together."
"Charlotte, your talking about love. I understand that. But you must want more in life than his wife?"
"Grace? When I'm with him I'm normal. My brain isn't going a hundred miles a minute. I have an IQ of close to 200. I should be in postgraduate at Oxford or MIT. My mother alma, but I'm set to be a high school junior this coming year with Frankie. An I couldn't be happier or more satisfied."
"I can smell the flowers and not analyst them to death. Admire the woods without working out the math and probabilities of the leaf's falling, or growth rings. I can watch the sunrise and not map out the weather. When he's with me, my brain is normal. I'm not explaining it right."
"No, I understand. Your mind with him is so focused on him that you don't think about anything else."
"No, it's not that Grace. It's like my brain is shut off from the higher parts. I think about music, dresses, flowers in my hair. I can rough house and make-out without ever being afraid of being the super brain. My mother was the same way. She would talk to me about how dad was special with her: that she could be the wife and lover without losing herself or her career. That she could be the girl she always knew was inside and not the computer on legs. She used to joke with Dad and Phil about her being an escape One of Seven BORG."
"Ok, I'm having a hard time understanding. I think I get the gest of what you're says. You're not the super nerd, you're his girlfriend."
"Yea, something like that. I'm his buddy, friend, girlfriend, wife to be. Not just the brain. Without him I go insane within my mind. He sees me, truly sees me. All of me. I love him with all my heart. When he holds me in our bed: I dream only happy dreams. Self-inducted nightmares don't take hold of me."
We walk a bit more in silent thoughts.
"It's kind-a-like John Nash, I lose myself in my mind. Reality distorts to the problem requiring solution. Real or imagined. I forget to eat, wash, even breath. Frankie holds me grounded to the now and here."
"Chuckie's, I don't understand. You lose yourself in your mind?"
"Frankie has the same problem with his music, and camera. Without me his nightmares; of his waking reality overcome him. You see without the other we can't function. The doctors called it Soteriophobia, Pervasive Psychological Dependence or Heightened Cognitive Capacity. With Frankie I feel safe to be me. Not worried about fitting in or acting like I'm normal. Like Beth's or Anna's shyness, fear of being the center of attention."
"Ok, I understand your point of view. You have to understand mine. Your both to young to be sexually active, particularly in my house."
"Grace, most of our classmates and friends aren't virgins. We are way behind the curve on that. Even though we sleep together, we've only been sexual for less than a month. An were still virgins: With Cruella, Leia and Frank we know all about the problems sex can cause. Neither is ready for the deed. I plan on wearing white to my wedding and mean it. Just like Anna and Beth."
"I didn't think Phil and Beth were married?"
"Legal they're not, but they had a ceremony in the woods at the Lake Country House a year after they met. Dad's first wife, who died of cancer was her bridesmaid in a Hospice wheelchair. If Beth could overcome her shyness to deal with Court and Society, they'd be married in a second. But Phil would never force her to go to events that made her that afraid."
"She seemed very at ease at the wedding and reception?"
"That because she was at Anna wedding and reception. We formed a safe cocoon around her. There was no one tearing her down for her dress, race, background or hair. That was no where near, how cut throat and petty Court and London Society is."
"Ok I understand, she does well in small groups of professional. Society matrons are never pleasant here or in Britain."
"Yea, everyone points at me being the super-brain, hyper brain. The mixed-race octoroon freak; The tomboy headed to be a future Lesbian. They don't see me, just the labels."
"All right, about the sleeping arrangement?"
"I will swear we will not engage in sex, anything past third base in your house, if I can sleep with him when we need it. We can sleep apart, but there are times when the stress and worries get too much and we need each other"
"Ok. I can deal with that. You two are adults and we have to trust you at your words. Break it and there will be hell to pay."
She hugs into me and we talk more mother daughter and sister-sister. Beth is a great sister-in-law, but Chuckie sees Anna as the maternal figure in her life. Much like her, smart, introvert, lover of knowledge and more interested in academic than cloths, clubs and fads.
I began to see Anna very differently, she has had so much thrust upon her. She needs to be twenty-two not forty-two. Just like Christian; they will recapture there missed youth.
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Seattle: Monday beginning of week 2
Roz-pov
The party is over, the business is leveling out. Christian and Anna will have to go to England a sort out the mess. Frankie once his legal wardship is settled will return to be invested as the new Earl. His mother is already planning her marriage to Lincoln.
The woman is a social whore already pushing to be queen of Seattle Society. I watch out my window toward Elliott bay. She is too loud, too brash and crass. She is pushing for Grace to let her into family, present her to Seattle society. Claiming she was a battered and controlled wife. Might have work except she's already established herself in the BDSM community as a switch.
The sister Leia, is a nut job; clubbing and whoring her way around the city. Her very public humiliation of Frankie and Chuckie in the lobby downstairs Tuesday, had me seeing red; luck for her, Andrea and Barney tackled me before I made the elevator. It took four security guards to prevent Elliott from killing the bitch. Three Ladies from Accounting managed to hold Kate from the mayhem.
Mildred Glass, deputy director of benefits in Human Resource; the five foot even, fifty-four-year-old matronly grandmother of four, company icon of gentleness, empathy, and civility; manhandled and power slammed that girl thru the front door and onto a cop car hood as it pulled to the curb.
I gave her a paid dinner for her and her family at Canlis. Leia is in Eastern State Hospital mental ward for evaluation, it was for seventy-two hours. The judge expanded it to thirty days, so she could detox before they could determine her mental state. At least she outside Spokane and not Seattle.
Now we have two threats Welch has developed: one Cruella and family and two Mystery Man. The man who paid for the breaking into the girl's apartment. Tried to disrupt the wedding, and has tried to publish online photoshopped sex photos of Anna; Most are Leia.
We are moving looking for the mole inside Grey house. A fire near the server room this morning is troubling. Luke is AWOL fishing. Parks is solid but no Jason or Luke. Welch is good at digging, but limited in hunting. I need a hunter.
"Roz, SGT-Major Sharp is here." my new PA informs me. He is a hunter.
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Sharp-pov
Seattle: Monday beginning of week 2
The hunter, hunted, threads fraying to reality
Cruella has secured herself in Seattle with the help of Linc. The guy comes off as a Dom. But I suspect he's a switch. Eliana rules the house, family, BDSM club he owns. The lumbar baron is on shaky financial ground. His empire depends on lumber prices being high, costs low. When its shifts, like now. He's desperate for Grey to sure him up. pump in liquid cash.
Roz handed me a business analyst of Lincoln Lumber; He is sleezy, slimy and nearly crippled money wise. Cruella has streamlined his expenses and raise revenue is the short time she's been here. I had Barney check her online footprint.
This shift has been going on for close to two years. I suspect she knew the Earl would fail. She had the papers and contract to dissolve the marriage ready to go only needing a date. Why did she continue to alienate Anna?
I watch out the window of my office in Grey House, next door Welch is hammering away at the mystery man. He's a solid staff officer, light on tactic and resolve. He believes the mole and MM is the same or related to; maybe a brother, sister, spouse or parent. I'm suspicions about the nude Leia pictures, they tried to pass off as Anna.
Where did they come from? Who gave them away? Leia couldn't tell us when or how the photos came about. I suspect Hamilton, The Earl's privy secretary played a key node in this thread. But he's dead and can't tell me who and why.
I look at the white board, something isn't playing right. I need a different perspective, a different mindset. Who can I ask? Someone uncorrupted; someone with a steel trap brain? I wonder who?
"Bang" "Enter?"
The door opens to Beth, Chuckies Aunt. The girls scare the bijous out of me. When all three are together, they tend to bend the planet with that much brain power in one place. "Yes, Mrs. Beth?
"I stopped by to tell you; Phil and I must return to London. Chuckie is staying at Ray's new place in Bellevue. Questions?"
"Ok, Marko is rooming there and Mrs. Jones and Andrea have a housekeeper starting tomorrow. So, everything is good. The Governess?"
"Given Chuckies resistance, and Ray's solid no nonsense attitude. We feel she would just be in the way. We've transferred them to Seattle Prep Advanced Students Program with classes at WSU Seattle. So, Ray will help control the pair."
"Thank you. I'll keep you both advised." She smiles that shy, everything is good. She turns to leave. stopping at my board. She studies the links and boxes.
"Sgt-Major? This layout is wrong. It's as if there are no cross-currents perpendicular to the direction of flow, nor eddies or swirls of time, displayed. This is turbulence; it's clear this and this are Modons or dipole eddy pairs: Time flowing in different directions than the usual time lines. The break-in is an edge wave; A surface wave fixed by refraction against a rigid boundary. This and this are separate time lines. You have two different streams interacting to seem like one stream. But the break-in and photos seem counter to the Main goal of the time line, destruction of Christian Grey."
"You mean Grey and Anna?"
"NO! this is focused on Destroying Grey, Anna is secondary at the beginning. Now she the best path to hurting Christian."
I think at what she is saying, the girl is a genius. Her explanation is in dynamic flow terms, give her Naval Architect background. She usually right. "Thank you, anything Else?"
"No? I'd redraw this as separate lines. It should clear up the confusion, Bye-bye."
I rearrange the board. I'm missing things here. I pick up the phone. "Barney? Ok Fred I need a background search of security and business anomalies before Anna showed up. All the Grey's. Yes, I understand. Phil's Lady, Mrs. Beth says we've mixed time streams. We need to separate them and see where things lead, forward and backward. Yes, I'll pay for the Jolt and Firehouse Pizza. If I get it by tomorrow. Deal." I lean back looking at the board. What if Anna was a side project, that morphed into the primary target with Grey. I need to sit with Carrick when he returns from court. Get a deeper history of Grey. Hope we can solve this before the kids get back.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday week two: Seattle. MM-pov
The cane whistles in its arc to my insolent sluts bleeding ass. Thinking without permission, worst acting without permission; MY PERMISSION!. Those photos where wasted, paid a lot of money to posses them. Now they are gone, used without any benefit to me. ME! I strike in a frenzied of hate and pain. She will have to take a week of sick days to recover. I look at Elizabeth kneeling next to Slut.
"Lesson over, Elizabeth suck me." I don't have to say now or anything more. She is well trained. I enjoy the release. Afterwards I belt her around the horse ring (horse training carousel: A circulars track around a center point. Forcing the attached horse to walk in a circle. Used to cool down horse, used in BDSM to train Pony Girls) excise her fat Human Resources Deputy Employee and Labor Relations for Corporate Offices ass. I feel better, very mellow. I check my Rolex: Yes! I have time to make the lecture on Propaganda and Electronic Media at UW Seattle.
I release fat ass. Letting her moaning broken form lay on the floor. I kick her face. She looks up, struggle to assume the correct position. Once she up; I humiliate her with a shower. "Elizabeth, clean the floor with your mouth, every yellow drop. Then put Olivia to bed. I'll be back late. There's a mixer after the Lecture. I have some GHB to recruit some coeds. Need to raise capital after Olivia blew thru the investment of Leia's photos. I walk away and shower, looking in the mirror. "Little Bird! Soon! Soon! Little Bird! Stealing from me again. I'll skin her in front of you. I'll do when she's heavy with your heir. Little Bird you can't fly away forever. Soon you'll be back, and I will be ready."
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At the same moment on Lake Washington: Lady in Green-pov
I watch the manor house on Lake Washington. Frankie window is lite with him rocking his guitar. While Chuckie sings, perfect young couple. Perfect; like Annie and Christian. I'm glad my postcards help heal her. My obsession, my desperate need to atone for my past sins.
I turn the key, fire the engine to my power boat. Cruise home to my house on E. Laurelhurst Drive NE on Webster point. I wonder how she will feel about me, how reality will play out this game. She was so young when I existed in her life. But I promised, and I keep my promises.
I will have a good weekend as Annie is due home Sunday afternoon. I's funny; I worked for three years at Grey House. As their English liaison, my brother-in-law Sir John Masterson is not going to be happy when this comes out. But I keep my promises. I should have never walked away from Robert, never allowed my parent obsession with heirs destroy my truest love.
I drift to sleep remembering the hospital, the day my future crashed and burned. The day the doctors on SS Uganda failed to save my future. How a few pieces of Argentine shrapnel changed my whole life. I dream of my lover, my world. My Never to be Happily Ever After. My trooper in a sandy beret.