Chapter 3: Conspiracy Theory
The past twenty-four hours have been potentially earth-shattering. How do I not have control of this situation? I'm Christian Grey. My life is about control, yet in the past day I didn't relinquish control – it was ripped from me by a ninety-five pound, shy brunette who now loathes me. Hell, I'm still struggling to come to terms with the two Anastasia Steele's I've seen – painfully shy, seemingly submissive, quiet, and soft-spoken with a bit of a smart mouth versus the person who defends her honor and can put both me and Taylor in our places with biting words while she exudes self-confidence – never mind her self-defense skills. She is mind boggling, annoying, stubborn and at the same time ridiculously arousing - the dichotomy that is Ms. Anastasia Steele.
If one more state trooper tells me I look like I've seen better days with my broken nose and black eyes, I'm going to scream. It's bad enough the press managed to secure a picture of me in this condition. Taylor is enjoying that a bit too much, solely because both he and Sawyer know the unreported truth. We've been sitting in the waiting room for over three hours. During that time Elliot, Kate and Rodriguez joined us. I sent Joe in Charlie Tango to bring Anastasia' father, Ray Steele here. Rodriguez accompanied Joe since he's good friends with the Steele family. I couldn't get rid of Rodriguez fast enough, so it was the perfect excuse. They should be arriving back in the next few minutes.
Anastasia is still in surgery for the fractures in her arm. What we know about her injuries at this point is limited. Her legs aren't broken but her thighs are heavily bruised from the steering wheel. She has a significant skull fracture, a severe concussion, three broken ribs, a fractured left collarbone, and all three major bones in her left arm are broken in multiple places. After she regained consciousness for a few moments with the rescue crew, she had lapsed back into unconsciousness and hadn't woken up since.
Two more witnesses to her accident, if you could call it that, came forward. The police are stating off the record that a late model, black SUV with tinted windows chased her vehicle for three miles before catching up with her and slamming into the side of her vehicle repeatedly until it flipped off the road and tumbled into the water like a rolling dice. She was lucky to be alive.
Taylor, Sawyer and I discussed the ramifications of this an hour ago, exploring what was known and true, versus what Ms. Steele might assume was true. Taylor pointed out that Ms. Steele might believe it was me who attempted to get her out of the picture due to the black SUV – even he didn't say the words attempted murder as he knew I had nothing to do with it. I'd spent the night in a hospital bed and he spent the night in a chair outside of my room. Still the potential was there for us both to be in trouble. We'd sent Sawyer to the state trooper barracks to see what he could discover. He was good with the troopers as his cousin is a trooper back in New York, so he took off his tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt and went in as a regular guy who happens to work for me.
There were only a few things on my mind: What would Ana say when she woke up? Would she reveal my secrets since technically she didn't sign her own name onto the NDA? Did she believe I would try to kill her and would she tell the police when they interview her? I can be royally screwed here.
"Elliot, just stop!" I hear Katherine Kavanagh shriek at my brother. After announcing she's going to get coffee, she leaves the floor. Elliot follows. Normally Elliot taps it and runs as he calls it, but apparently Kavanagh is different, at least to him. To me she's a female version of Elliot in terms of notches on her bedpost, but while Elliot is a happy and amenable guy, she's just a fucking bitch. I mean, why would she request that Ana ask me if I'm gay during the interview. That's just unprofessional. And here my brother is trying to console her while Ana, her roommate of nearly four years, is in surgery. Clearly Kavanagh is holding on by an emotional thread. It's surprising to see Kavanagh is capable of caring about something other than herself. After all, rumor has it, she's her father's daughter and he's known to be the most self-centered man on the west coast.
The next time I looked up, Rodriguez was coming down the hallway toward us accompanied by a tall man with greying light brown hair in his late forties or early fifties who I could only assume was Ray Steele. There was no missing the concern etched on his face. All I knew about Ray Steele was he was her step-father. He enjoyed fishing and carpentry. He was also taciturn and Ana adored this man with every ounce of her being. I get to my feet as they arrive and greet him with my hand extended. "Mr. Steele, I wish we could have met under better circumstances. I'm Christian Grey."
I'm shocked when he eyes me suspiciously. When he looks me over I feel like he can see inside my soul, just like I felt with Ana. Finally he takes my hand and gives it a firm shake. "I know who you are Mr. Grey. My question is how do you know my daughter? Clearly by the looks of you, she knows you and wasn't a fan."
Taylor and I both pale slightly. "I'm not sure I follow. I met Ana when she interviewed me for the school newspaper when Ms. Kavanagh was indisposed."
"Then what happened to your face?" Ray asked not taking his eyes from mine.
"Sparing accident."
"You keep telling yourself that Sparky," Ray comments before turning his attention to Taylor. "Are you sticking with the boss's story son?"
"It's the truth," Taylor replies.
Ray turns to Jose and with disgust says, "Just what I need, my Annie hurt, and while I wait I have to deal with a lying dumbass and his ex-marine lackey who is dumber than a box of rocks – typical muscle. It's a fucking embarrassment. Kids today have no moral compass. What is this world coming to?" Rodriguez merely nods in agreement.
"I take offense at your remarks," I state belligerently.
Ray turns back to us and calmly states, "Mr. Grey, let me make one thing clear to you, I don't give a damn how much money you have, or how much your suit costs – I can smell a screw up and a liar a mile away, no amount of money or perfume-filled girly-man body wash takes that stench away. It's like trying to take the stink off a skunk with air freshener. No amount of money can buy class and integrity – though you fake it well. I never judge a book by its cover or bank account. It's a lesson you should have learned at least a decade ago. The only thing that reeks more coming out of you is your desperation."
I'm stunned, embarrassed, and angry. Where is the taciturn man Ana had told me about? Before I can respond, Mr. Steele adds, "If I find out you are in any way responsible for my daughter's accident I will personally guarantee you no amount of personal security will keep me away from you. It's not a threat, it's just a fact. That is my baby girl in the operating room – my only child. She's a good kid, always has been and always will be. She doesn't deserve more shit in her life than her mother brought in after our divorce. I won't let anyone harm her ever again in any way. Do I make myself clear?"
All I can do is nod in understanding before he turns to Taylor. "And Hulk, if you want to protect your boss, make sure he doesn't think with the contents of his jockstrap, because you'll find yourself with gunshots in both knees and your boss will be a eunuch when I'm through with him and that's if I'm merciful."
"Family of Anastasia Steele," the doctor announces as he enters the waiting room. Kate, Elliot, and Sawyer return to the waiting room behind him.
"I'm her father," Ray states emphatically. "How's my daughter?"
"Miss Steele is in the recovery room. She will be moved to the intensive care unit shortly to make sure she's stable before we life flight her to University of Washington Medical Center . We've repaired the four fractures in her arm with pins. Her concussion is severe with significant swelling of the brain along with a fairly significant skull fracture. The reality is the hypothermia helped keep the swelling down, which is why she regained consciousness for a few moments when they pulled her from the water. The minute her body was out of the water, the swelling began in earnest."
"Does she really need to be moved?" Ray asks.
The doctor nods. "It's the best place for her. They can keep her body temperature down, which will keep the swelling in her brain down and hopefully avoid temporarily removing a portion of her skull to give her brain the space it needs. Amazingly, her other injuries are all relatively minor in comparison – cracked ribs, the fractures in her arm and collar bone, and most likely significant ligament issues, which can be more painful than a fracture. They aren't life threatening but her recover will be extremely painful."
"Is there any permanent damage?" Kate asked.
"Honestly, we won't know until the swelling in her brain recedes and we evaluate her at that time. At this point though, I feel reasonably confident that the hypothermia saved most if not all of her cognitive function. That, plus the rescue team leader was smart enough to keep her cool after her rescue and not attempt to quickly warm her gives me hope about her recovery. Moving her is a precaution but a necessary one. We want to life flight her in two hours. I've already made arrangements with UWMC," the doctor replies. "Mr. Steele, you are welcome to accompany your daughter on the flight. If you head up to the ICU in thirty minutes, you'll be able to sit with her until we're ready to transport."
Ray nods. Sure, with the doctor he's taciturn but with me, he's anything but reserved. I can't help but feel he's getting ready to kick both Taylor and I to the curb, when the investigating officer from the Washington State Troopers enters the waiting room.
"Mr. Steele, I'm Captain Avery of the Washington State Troopers. I'd like to ask you a few questions about your daughter."
Ray merely nods and joins the Captain in the corner of the waiting room. We can't help but listen in.
"Do you know of anyone who would want to harm your daughter?" the captain asks.
"My Annie is a student and works part-time at a hardware store. She's quiet, has few friends, and I can't imagine anyone wanting to harm her. I mean we are talking about someone who doesn't partake in any type of high risk behavior – no real drinking other than a glass of wine with dinner occasionally, no smoking or drugs, she's not promiscuous. She's just my Ana. Are you saying she was targeted by someone?" Ray asks in shock.
The captain nods. "Before your daughter lost consciousness, she said something to the rescuers about a crazy person in a car trying to kill her. Clearly she felt threatened by someone. Is this why she previously had concealed carry permits in both Washington and Oregon states?"
This news shocks me. It didn't show up on our background checks. How could Welch miss something so major? I have to admit, I can't wait to hear Ray's response.
He fidgets a bit in his chair before locking eyes with the captain as he replies, "Annie's mother made questionable choices after our divorce and my Annie paid the price. After that, I taught her how to take care of herself in case one of those choices decides to head north. She had the permits but never actually purchased a weapon."
"I need a name," the captain states firmly.
"Stephen Morton. The bastard lives near Lakeland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas last time I checked."
"Anyone else?"
"Not that I'm aware of at this time, but I will be keeping my eyes open," Ray replies as he takes the troopers card.
"Do you know why your daughter was in Seattle yesterday?"
"I don't have a clue. As far as I knew, she didn't know anyone there. Clearly, I was mistaken," Ray mutters unhappily. "What I don't understand is why she was in a rental car when she has a car. From what I understand her car is still in Portland. It just doesn't make any sense. Even if she went to Seattle for a job interview, she would have brought her car."
"Does she have a boyfriend?" the captain continued.
"Not that I've been made aware of," Ray replied. "After her mother's track record, Ana was very hesitant with the idea of dating. She didn't want to be like her mother. I've see her every other weekend since she went away to college. In all that time she never mentioned a single date."
"A girlfriend perhaps?"
"I don't believe she is so inclined, but stranger things have happened," Ray replied shaking his head. "But I really don't think so. Her time in Texas left her withdrawn when it came to relationships. She let few people get close to her after that."
"I've arranged for a trooper to stand guard here and then accompany the flight to UWMC at which point she will be watched over by officers from the Seattle Police Department and hospital security. Based on witness statements, we believe this wasn't a random incident. We hope when your daughter is conscious, she will be able to shed more light on the incident. The car that ran her off the road was retrieved this morning near Mount Saint Helens. It's a stolen late model black Audi SUV. It was reported as stolen last night in Seattle, so our best guess is she was followed after she rented the car. The only fingerprints in the vehicle belong to the owners and their children. They are still doing a full DNA sweep of the vehicle, but that will take time."
Taylor, Sawyer and I immediately glance at each other. I know we are all thinking the same thing – someone is trying to kill Ana and set me up as the killer, but why? I'm potentially so fucked!
Three days have passed since Ana was life-flighted to UWMC. I can't focus on anything. I've been staring at the same spreadsheet in my home office for the past hour. According to Elliot, who is receiving his information from Kate Kavanagh, they were bringing Ana out of her medically induced coma this morning as the swelling is down. Its early evening and I couldn't help but wonder if she was awake and more importantly how much she remembered.
I want to be there when she wakes up, but I know that my presence would not be welcome by her or her father. The moment the transfer between facilities occurred Ray Steele limited the visitors list to himself, Kate, and Rodriguez. Ana's mother and her fourth husband Bob were on vacation in in New Zealand and didn't bother flying back. I know Ray was relieved as he didn't want to cope with his ex-wife and her latest disposable husband, but he also felt bad because he knew he would have to explain to Ana why her mother couldn't be bothered coming to see her when she almost died. Little by little the pieces of Anastasia Steele's life were being revealed.
I had Welch investigate Stephen Morton, her mother's third husband. Ana was a teenager back then and after living in Texas for a few months returned to Ray in Montesano and cut her mother off for well over a year. All I've been able to find out about the Morton months is that Ana returned to Montesano and Ray taught her how to defend herself. That in and of itself said a great deal about her months in Texas. It also explains her reaction to the playroom and my touching her when she tried to leave. If I had known that she was a virgin and about her time in Texas, I never would have shown her the playroom or tried to stop her from leaving. I deserved the beating I'd gotten.
"Mr. Grey," Taylor interrupts my thoughts. "Miss Kavanagh is on her way up."
"Just what I fucking need," I growl bitterly. "Show her into my office."
A minute later, Kate Kavanagh sat before me. Her normally impeccable make-up and hairstyle gone, replaced by a ponytail, dark circles under her eyes, mascara and lip gloss. "What can I do for you Miss Kavanagh?"
"Why did you bring Ana to Seattle and why did you ditch her?" Her voice is calm and controlled, but beneath it I can hear her edginess.
"I brought her here for dinner and technically she ditched me," I replied vaguely but truthfully. "I had Taylor offer to take her back to Portland, but she declined."
"What did you do to her to make her ditch you?" There was no missing the accusatorial tone in her voice now.
"Simply put, we had different expectations for the evening. I respected her wishes and she left. And before you ask the next question, I didn't have anything to do with her accident; neither did any of my staff."
"Prove it," she demands.
"Taylor," I call out to him and he enters the office. "Please give Ms. Kavanagh a summary of the events of Miss Steele's accident."
"I arrived back at Escala that evening in a cab around 9:30ish. Miss Steele was exiting the building and got into my cab. When I arrived in the penthouse, Mr. Grey wasn't happy that Miss Steele had left and we changed and went downstairs to the gym to spar. During our match, Mr. Grey slipped and I inadvertently knocked him unconscious, breaking his nose. I called an ambulance. Mr. Grey was taken to Harborview and I called Dr. Grey to inform her of the mishap. Mr. Grey didn't regain consciousness until after midnight and remained in the hospital on pain medications until the following morning. I remained at the hospital all night, though I did contact Miss Steele around eleven thirty asking if she needed a way to get back to Portland. She explained that she rented a vehicle and was already approaching Centralia. That was the last we heard from Miss Steele. Based on the police reports, her accident was under fifteen minutes later," Taylor explained.
We both watched as Kavanagh slumped back in the chair, rested her head on the cushion and sighed. It took a good minute before she responded. "So if you are telling the truth and I'm not certain you are, there is no way you could get from here to south of Centralia in fifteen minutes."
I nod at her.
"You realize that I know you are lying about the sparing accident, right? I mean, when I saw you the next day, ignoring your nose, the redness in your face was from Ana's pepper spray, so I'm assuming she's the one who broke your nose, and probably left your balls black and blue, and then kicked you in the chest. She's good at that when a guy gets handsy. So how about the full story?" she demands.
"I stand by the events as recounted," I replied firmly.
"Perfect, then you won't mind me telling the State Police that you're the one that brought Ana to Seattle," she countered menacingly. "If you have nothing to hide, then no crime, no foul." She paused for a moment, then added, "I made certain before I came here I let a few people know where I was heading, so don't get any ideas Grey. Also, mister I value my privacy, you have quite a few security cameras in the main living areas of your apartment and the building has them in the lobby - I'm sure they will tell at least part of the story of what went on that night. One whisper to the troopers and they'll have a search warrant faster than you can yell at another employee. Missing video will be a clear indicator of lying and guilt, just so you know."
I leaned back in my chair, attempting to appear calm and in control while my world continued to slowly implode around me. "Have you spoken to Ana? Is she awake? I'm certain she will be able to corroborate the events of that night. Before you open her life up to more speculation, you should at least wait until you can speak with her." I'm grasping at straws now. All I know from Sawyer is that Ana is slowly drifting between awake and asleep. When she's barely conscious there are tears in her eyes from the pain and as soon as they give her pain medication, she remains conscious for a few minutes, giggling and commenting on man-candy heaven with beautiful male angels with badges who saved her or singing songs from the Lion King before drifting off to sleep. When conscious, she's stoned off her ass. It would be at least a day, perhaps more before she was coherent enough to participate in the investigation.
"Has it ever occurred to you Miss Kavanagh that someone might be attempting to set me up to take the fall with regard to Miss Steele's accident? After all, the vehicle used was an Audi SUV and I own four of them – all black. I'm in a cut-throat business and the accident appears to be a crime of opportunity on someone's part."
"So why did Ana leave that night? The real reason. I want to be able to trust you. Elliot said you would never harm her, so why did she leave?" Kate asked earnestly.
I sighed. "I wanted move the physical end of our relationship further and she wasn't willing. She panicked and explained she was still a virgin, and then she ran after stating she wasn't ready. I let her run. As you know from the recording of the interview, I'm a control freak. I was, for lack of better words, ridiculously disappointed."
I watched as Kavanagh got to her feet. "In one of Ana's lucid moments today she said and I quote quite breathlessly: the bitch had a kink mask on her face with a cigarette sticking out of her maw and ginormous fake boobs that I wanted to pop with a dart, either that or have Jose motorboat them just for fun but he could get lost in the sweaty, cheesy, crevice between them and I don't want to lose him or to have him smell all sweaty and gross. Must be a shit-ton of ugly under that mask. Hideous cow! Dammit, now I'm insulting cows. I hope Christian finds the nut job and has his goon squad beat her senseless. He should have Taylor do it, preferably with his shirt off – so fucking hot! Fuck the paperwork! And then she giggled and passed out."
Try as I might, I couldn't help but glare at Taylor, who kept his face impassive. Kavanagh's impression of her roommate was dead on, right down to her breathy inflections. All I could think was that's my girl, but I knew that wasn't the case. Fucking Taylor!