Wounds to Bind Chapter 36 when things go to hell in a handbasket

January 3 – APOV

"Why do I have to answer the door? I'm the one who needs to dress and go to work!" I started dressing before Dad arrived. I made the mistake of telling Dad the bed broke in the middle of the night. While Dad's looking at the bed, Elliot appeared. Why couldn't Dad and Elliott fix my bed after I'm dressed and headed for work? Why do they have to fix the bed now? My underwear is covered by my new silk robe Kate gave me for Christmas. I threw the door open…stepping back in shock. Oh Crap! Why didn't I look through the peephole first?

"What the fuck…" Christian started to say, noting my shocked face and my hasty moves to tie my robe tighter. He brushed past me and flew into the main room of the condo.

"The bed's fixed now; I tested the bounce. Maybe once there's some significant action, the bed might be…" Elliot announced as he exited the master bedroom. He walked into the main room and into his brother's fist. Taken off guard, Elliot staggered back and sank to one knee…speechless.

"You asshole!" Christiaan screamed at him. "What the fuck are you doing here?" He screamed at me.

"The question is…what are you doing here? I thought your plane wasn't landing until mid-morning!" I demanded.

"We left at five o'clock Colorado time, which was three o'clock here. After a three-hour flight, we touched down at Boeing Field around six o'clock. I texted Elliot last night to look at a company with me this morning. His company will retrofit the building if I buy the business. He didn't reply so I came looking for him. NOW. WHAT. THE. FUCK. ARE. YOU. DOING. HERE?"

"Annie lives here, Christian; I'd appreciate you not screaming and swearing at my daughter," Dad stepped out of the master bedroom. "Please leave before I throw you off the balcony and watch your ass bounce off the pavement. Annie, the bedroom is empty. You can finish dressing for work."

Christian stood there…shaking with anger. He reached for his smart phone and headed for the door. "Bastille, I need to work off some aggression. Meet me in the gym at Grey House…yeah, well, Elliot's an asshole." His voice faded as he exited the condo, slamming the door on the way out.

"I haven't read Christian's body language in a long time. However, I'm sure he thought you and Elliot messed around," Dad announced calmly.

"FUCK," Elliot and I shouted simultaneously.

"Language!" Dad snapped. "Use your words doesn't mean profanity! Laura needs your car keys to run errands for you. When I take you to work, we'll stop for breakfast on the way. I need materials to reassemble the side shelves on the office closet unit. I don't like the way Elliot's men assembled the organizational unit. I'm getting Plexiglas to seal the opening on your patio. You'll be able to sit out there on warm days until spring. I'll plan to come back around Easter to take them down and put them in storage." Dad explained. "You're burning daylight girl."

"I'm going!" I snapped and went into the master bedroom, slamming the door shut.

"You obviously don't need that door for privacy if you slam it shut! Do you want to lose that door until you learn to control yourself?" Dad called out to me.

I swore to myself, counted to twenty, and reached for a lined dress to wear to work today.

XXX

Ray knew he had broken Annie of slamming doors during a teenage tantrum. She lost her bedroom door for six weeks right after she returned to him. She and Carla had shouting argument. Annie hung up on her mother, stomped to her room and slammed the door shut. She lost phone privileges for six weeks also. He told her if she couldn't talk decently to her mother, she wouldn't talk with her friends.

'Use your words, Annie. Don't let Christian's jealous teenager persona set you off. I taught you to think when you are upset; think until you regain self-control.' Morton caused Annie to hate being yelled at. I won't change that trait as long as she continues to defend herself…and not lose herself in the emotions of the moment.

"I'm emailing Kate and then going to Grey House." Elliot announced. He wasn't getting in the way of Ana having a Christian-induced meltdown. "Call me if you need help with the installation of the Plexiglas units. Call you later, Ana!" He exited. Ray didn't look happy and Elliot didn't want an explanation.

XXX

Barney was surprised when a regular scan of staff emails and calendars revealed a vulnerability. Olivia was a regular client of Esclava Salons. Her senator father didn't think twice about paying the exorbitant rates. Esclava Salons emailed Olivia a personal reminder of her appointment next Saturday morning at ten. The message, sent to her personal email, was forwarded to her Grey House email account. In the email, Elena Lincoln reminded Olivia to bring her work and personal calendars so they could plan what services she would need. From what Barney could ascertain, Olivia talked about GEH during her appointments.

Thank god Mr. Grey was returning to Grey House today. Taylor put Grey House on radio silence during the ten days Mr. Grey and family were in Aspen. Barney had six days of emails and information to send to Grey. He sent Mr. Grey a strongly worded email about ensuring his executive support staff were aware of the possible repercussions if their NDA were broken. He forwarded copies of Oliva's schedule and emails to Mr. Grey. Now he had to back search Olivia's emails to and from Esclava Salons. Why the bimbo set her personal email to forward to Grey House irked him. He ordered his support staff to send a strongly worded email to all GEH and subsidiaries staff – company email is NOT to be used for PERSONAL events, appointments, conversations, etc. The Esclava Salons network was blocked from directly emailing anyone connected to Grey House or GEH subsidiaries. However, Olivia bypassed the issue when she forwarded Esclava email from her personal email to her work email.

Security or Communications would probably cover Hyde and Lincoln arrests for insider trading with Mr. Grey at their scheduled meeting this morning. Barney pulled as much information about their arrests, lawyers, bail, etc. as possible and included the video link of their arrests. He ran financial backgrounds before the arrests and after. He conducted a quick search of both brokerage houses and included their information. When Grey asked, Barney was prepared.

XXX – CPOV

I put Bastille on his ass twice this morning. I would have continued to do so, except Elliot appeared and explained why Ana was at his condo. I congratulated Elliot on his engagement, and agreed to be his best man. I told him I was sorry I hit him and was prepared to make amends. I said I might feel better if he pounded the fuck out of me. Instead, I'm paying for first class flights wherever Elliot decides to take Kate for their honeymoon. I dreaded six months of wedding planning until I realized Ana is the maid of honor. I will get to see her at wedding planning and wedding events. I'm so happy I could kiss Elliot.

Mom requested I not work from Christmas Eve to this morning. We were cyber dark at the house in Aspen. We didn't turn on TVs, radios or computers. We kept phones turned off because my security staff kept theirs turned on for emergencies. We didn't read newspapers. While cyber dark was relaxing, I was anxious because I hoped Ana would email Merry Christmas or Happy New Year. Staff had orders to tell me if she contacted me. We skied a lot, ate family dinners, I played the piano, played chess with Dad, and read. I didn't sleep well the entire time we were in Aspen because I couldn't access the Ana sleep loop while using the body pillow.

At this morning's briefing, Taylor explained about Leila's living arrangement. He gave her computer to Barney for analysis. Leila confessed she stole Ana's clothes from the closet at Escala and took money from the safe. Taylor knew Ana would not care about clothes, so he had them cleaned and delivered to Leila at the hospital in Fremont. He put some money from her funds in her commissary fund and returned my jewelry, robe, and t-shirt. He gave her good jewelry to Flynn to put in the safe at the hospital until she recovers. He handed me two messages Elena left for Leila. I must discuss them with John. Elena offered to pay Leila to train new submissives for me.

Taylor explained when he learned Elena had been arrested, he decided to conduct a search and steal mission at her home. He knew egress and security at her home. Taylor explained Elena's dungeon was demolished and all contents were shipped out of state for sale. He explained Isaac gathered all materials from the home – pictures, DVDs, databases, etc. He gave them to Taylor. Taylor assured me he incinerated the blackmail materials. Barney destroyed the hard drive from her home server along with her laptop and storage devices. There was no inspection. No one knew what was on any of them, which pleased Isaac and Taylor.

Curiosity was the only reason I took the call from Harley Harrison. I took notes while Harrison talked. He is Ana's SEC handler. While I appreciated Harrison's candor, Ana working with him on a dangerous project pissed me off. She endangered herself taking on Hyde and Lincoln. Granted, they might not know she was behind the investigation, but now I know. I want to spank her and I want to rip Harrison's head off for letting her put herself in danger. Harrison has seen her over a dozen times over the last five months, when I can't get her to be in my presence longer than an elevator ride. The only thing preventing me from pounding the crap out of Harrison is he said Ana loves me and did this for me.

I was also over the edge pissed off when Harrison asked me to stay away from Ana until the SEC prosecution was completed…in about six months if we were lucky. I told him to fuck off. Ana and I are none of his damned business. He said if Ana wanted me to stay away, he would obtain a no-contact order for her against me. He didn't care how a no-contact order looked to the business world. I told him I would assign Ana a close protection unit to keep Hyde and Lincoln away from her. Harrison announced he didn't call to argue about Ana. There were issues I needed to know. Olivia Blandino and Lauren Hudson provided GEH information to Elena Lincoln. Hyde hacked GP emails. Hyde financed some of his illegal stock purchases with funds from Elizabeth Morgan. I mapped out a plan of action with him…and then thanked him for letting me know about the investigation. My people worked on providing background information since I arrived at Grey House this morning.

Ana still cares… I had wet dreams about her on New Year's Eve. I gave her a sensual spanking as the clock counted down the New Year. Then we fucked until the wee hours of the morning in my dream. But that's all I had…a dream…which left me cold in my bed like the wind on the peaks in Aspen.

"Barney, I need information within the next seventy-two hours. I want financial statements and recent expenditures of Ana Steele, Ray Steele, Elliot Grey and Katherine Kavanagh. I want a financial check of Grey Construction. How much did Elliot pay to have crews work this holiday weekend? I'm checking the SEC information you sent. Thank you for your thoroughness. I want to see the background check and employee report on Jack Hyde, Elizabeth Morgan and Lauren Hudson. I want to know how long Lauren Hudson has known Olivia Blandino." I hung up on him and segued to the next item on my list.

"Welch, I want a background check on all Jack Hyde's previous interns. I want to know why they left SIP. Go see them in person, take an NDA, take plenty of cash, and find the buried bodies," I'm interrupted by Olivia announcing an unexpected visitor. I don't have time to deal with Olivia at the moment, which irks me. To keep her distracted, I send her to Legal to bring me the items they worked on last week while I was out.

XXX

"I want to see Christian Grey," Kate seethed at Andrea.

"He has someone in his office, Miss Kavanagh," Andrea was calm and patient dealing with an obviously high maintenance visitor.

"Someone important?" Kate didn't care if Christian was confessing all his sins before the Pope! She was sending his ass to hell.

Andrea attempted to keep a professional face. "I'm not allowed to discuss Mr. Grey's schedule," she tapped her pencil on the written schedule for the day. Kate leaned over and saw Elena Lincoln's name. Bitch, floozy, harlot, ho, hooker, hussy, snatch, strumpet, tart, tomato, tramp, trollop, whore...Kate fumed. She headed for the door to Christian's office when Taylor appeared.

"Miss Kavanagh," he started to say.

"Taylor, unless you want my new Manolo Blahniks to lift and separate the boys…I suggest you move," Kate threatened him.

"May I open the door for you?" Taylor suppressed a smile.

"Not necessary," Kate reached for the door knob. "But be ready, because I'm throwing that bitch out of his office." She entered and left the door wide open. "You asshole! You jealous bastard! How dare you hit Elliot – giving him a black eye when we're supposed to get our engagement pictures taken this week?"

"Uh…Kate…I'm in a business meeting right now…" I started to say.

"Business meeting…with that skank? I thought you were done doing business with the Seattle Slutmeister. No wonder Ana won't have anything to do with you. We keep telling her you've changed and you're a decent guy…and then you hang out with this snatch! You gave Elliot a black eye for NO REASON AT ALL. No wonder Ana doesn't trust you." Kate shook her fist at Christian…flashing the three-carat Princess-cut diamond solitaire which announced Elliot Grey had settled down.

"Excuse me?" Elena stood to face off against Kate. "Who are you calling a snatch, you blonde bimbo?" She demanded to know in her best Domme voice.

"I'm not talking to you, Botox Barbie. Taylor," Kate addressed him. "Get her out of here before I use her as a cheap Mexican piñata."

"Mrs. Lincoln," Taylor held the door open.

"Hitting Elliot? You are completely out of control! I'm not leaving until we discuss this situation!" Elena shrieked at me.

"Yes, you are," I retorted. "I told you in September I was done with your salons, done helping you financially… done, done, done. I don't care if you are having legal, financial, social or professional issues. I'm not responsible for your health, well-being or happiness. Taylor, get her out of here and then have HR fire whoever let her into my building, let her into my elevator, and let her into my office." I directed.

"They would be Perkins at the front desk, Marquez at the elevators and Blandino outside your office door." Taylor reported.

"I don't care who did what. You know the routine: HR, signed papers, relinquish security passes, invalidate computer and email security codes, and remove them. Tell HR and IT I want them out of here within the hour. No severance packages, just accrued wages and leave time they have on the books." I demanded. "Hold Mrs. Lincoln in Security. Notify SPD, Mrs. Lincoln violated her no-contact order and we're holding her for arrest and removal. Have them impound and remove her car from Grey House parking. Have IT duplicate the security CCTV from this morning and provide SPD a copy when they arrest her. Have a copy of the no-contact order prepared for them also." I watched with some amusement as Taylor took Elena and Oliva by the arms and escorted them to the elevator.

"Now, Kate," I concentrated on placating my soon-to-be sister-in-law. I closed the door to my office. I didn't want the universe to hear what Kate had to say to me.

"Asshole," she hissed at me.

"I know you are angry with me…but I have an issue at Grey Publishing which I need to handle. I told Elliot to come to dinner tonight, with you, and both families. We'll discuss reparations." I try the Christian Grey CEO mode which fails miserably.

"Fine, my first demand is leave Ana alone while you are at GP. She's already upset over you storming into the condo this morning and assuming she was sleeping with Elliot. We're like sisters and you assumed she betrayed our trust and our relationship. I will not understand to my dying day why Ana loves you. You certainly aren't worthy of her. You don't think before you act, do you?"

"Do you mind telling me when the great move took place?" I am still confused over this part.

"Elliot proposed New Year's Eve. Ana and I had the conversation about Elliot moving in with me and fixing up his condo for her. Elliot paid for movers, cleaners, painters, carpenters, carpet layers, materials and paint. Ray and Laura helped with the move. The movers didn't set up Ana's bed properly. In the middle of the night, she was sleeping on the couch. Ray and Laura, Elliot and I are sharing a suite at the Fairmont Olympia this week while painting and work at my condo is completed before Elliot and I merge households. Elliot dropped by Ana's condo this morning with business cards to give to the concierge for people who come looking for him. He went up to the condo to check in with Ray about work they were doing today. He helped Ray reassemble the bed properly. They had just finished when you arrived and went berserk." Kate snapped. "Obviously you were seeing red and not the clean condo, painted walls, changed furniture, etc.!"

"Kate, I offered Elliot first class plane tickets anywhere you want to go for your honeymoon." I explained.

"That's a beginning, but your largesse doesn't cover that black eye!" Kate fumed.

"I'll give you two thousand dollars in mad money for every day of the honeymoon if you will let me leave and handle Grey Publishing right now," I offered.

"Ten thousand," Kate countered.

"Two thousand dollars, and the news scoop about Elena Lincoln's arrest for violating a no-contact order for me and Grey House. That is my final offer," I reached for my suit jacket.

"Fine," Kate huffed, "but you're telling MY MOTHER why Elliot is unavailable for pictures this week."

"I can do that," I refrained from rolling my eyes. "Now, please exit, I have to talk to my PA, Andrea. Have Anders take you down to Security. Tell Taylor I said you could have a copy of Mrs. Lincoln's arrest and removal video and a copy of the no-contact order. You need to get down there before SPD does or you'll miss the fun. Text your dad on your way to security so he claims he is the source. He'll post online before anyone else. I don't want the Seattle Times pissed at either of us over missing this scoop."

Kate grabs her phone out of her purse and races to the elevator. I buzz Andrea.

"Sir?"

"I need you in my office, please." My calm and efficient PA appears in my office...I think she is nervous because I said please. "Close the door," I direct her. She has her tablet with her. "Olivia is being fired with cause."

"Sir, Olivia is Senator Blandino's daughter." Andrea protested.

"Olivia knew the repercussions of discussing Grey House outside the executive floor. Security announced Elena Lincoln was persona non grata in all my buildings, or within one thousand feet of me on September thirtieth. She should not have given Mrs. Lincoln access to me. HR will help you hire someone more qualified to help you. Additionally, I want Ros to have an assistant PA. When you and Andrew are busy on projects, you need a qualified assistant for backup and so does he. Additionally, I want a dedicated receptionist for this floor and provide backup for you and the executive support staff. With your direction, Security will clear Olivia's personal items from her desk."

"Yes, Mr. Grey." Andrea takes notes calmly and efficiently.

"Thank you. Please notify Ros, Barney and Taylor – we're leaving within the next ten minutes for Grey Annex. Please call Sawyer and ask him to meet me in reception at Grey Publishing in the next fifteen minutes. We need three sets of security and a set of Grey House HR at Grey Publishing in the next twenty minutes. Will you call Eamon and Celeste Kavanagh, my sister Mia and my parents? Invite them to dinner and a family meeting at Escala at seven. Please call Mrs. Jones and explain I need a gourmet meal for eight at seven o'clock. Please ask if Mrs. Jones has time to make a chocolate cake for dessert? Please tell her I must make amends so the food, wine, table, flowers, etc. should be opulent. That's all, thank you." When Andrea smiles, I know she's back on board. She's a good PA, I don't want her to quit because I'm being a hard ass. I also don't want her to quit in protest about Olivia being fired.

XXX

Ros headed immediately to Ana's office. "Ana, will you join us?" She gestured toward me, Taylor, Barney and Sawyer.

"Did you call security for some reason?" Miss Wardrobe Malfunction stormed out of Hyde's office and rudely spoke to Ana. "I'm trying to prep for the editorial meeting for Mr. Hyde; I don't appreciate being interrupted."

"Are you the reason security is interrupting my day?" Elizabeth Morgan entered from down the hall and snapped at Ana.

"I think I've had all the interrogations and accusations I can stand for one morning! I don't have a clue why Mr. Grey and his entourage are present!" Ana snapped at both women.

"Miss Steele, will you introduce these two rude women? I know who they are. I just want the rest of my staff brought up to speed." What I really want is to take feisty Ana behind closed doors and bury myself in her until she's somnambulant.

"Mr. Grey, this is Elizabeth Morgan, director of GP HR. This is Lauren Hudson, support staff for Jack Hyde." Ana replied calmly. "Ladies, this is Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings. This is Ros Bailey, Chief of Operations at Grey Enterprises Holdings. This is Jason Taylor and Luke Sawyer who work for Grey Security." She paused and looked at the nine people who just arrived, escorted by Grey Annex Security. "Sorry – you or Ros must finish the introductions."

"My HR and IT people informed me there is a situation at Grey Publishing which needs to be resolved today." I addressed the ladies and everyone within earshot who was more interested in my presence than working. "Jack Hyde was arrested for insider trading on December twenty-eighth. His work contract states he works at will and I am not willing to ignore his criminal activities." I paused to let Ms. Morgan gasp in surprise.

"SPD served Hyde with termination papers and a no-contact order. My security staff is retrieving Grey House equipment and work from his condo. He won't be in today or ever again…so the editorial staff meeting is postponed indefinitely. Sawyer, please have Miss Steele identify Hyde's personal items in his office."

"I'm his support staff," Lauren protested. "I'm the one who should clean out his office."

"You were his support staff. You are Olivia Blandino's roommate?" I coldly appraised Miss Wardrobe Malfunction.

She nodded.

"Well, she was fired with cause," I consulted my watch, "about fifteen minutes ago also. You will be fired with cause within the next hour. So will you, Ms. Morgan." I loved the look of shock on their faces.

"Grey Annex Security – please escort Morgan and Hudson to separate conference rooms until their termination paperwork is prepared." I caught a look in Ros's eye. "Ensure they do not speak to one another, speak to staff, touch computers or remove files. They are not left unattended anywhere, not even the powder room. Deny them access to company electronics – no emails, texts or social media. Ensure there is no sabotage. You will be notified when you are to watch Miss Hudson and Ms. Morgan remove their personal items and depart."

Barney coordinated GP IT to pull Hudson's and Hyde's computers. He spoke curt instructions into his phone to the IT team to take the items from Hyde's home to IT at Grey House. No one was to touch anything; equipment was to all be locked down at Security until he could handle the situation.

I turn to Robb Loeder and two of his staff. "Robb Loeder, HR from GEH, you know Elizabeth Morgan, former director of GP HR. This is Lauren Hudson, former support staff for Jack Hyde at GP." I conducted terse introductions before turning back to address Morgan and Hudson. "Your final paychecks will reflect accrued work hours to eight o'clock this morning, and any accrued leave time. No separation package will be prepared or offered to you. GEH will not blacklist you from seeking employment in Seattle. We will not give you glowing recommendations either. We have your non-disclosure agreements on file. If GEH becomes aware you discussed this situation with anyone, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. You will be served with no-contact orders. You are not allowed within one thousand feet of any Grey House business, or personnel. Hudson, this will not be a problem for you as your roommate, Olivia Blandino, was fired from Grey House this morning. After your exit interview with Robb Loeder, you will leave the Grey Annex building and grounds with your personal items."

I waited for the two of them to be sequestered in conference rooms before speaking again.

"Loeder, take a set of security with you. Security sequesters GP HR in the large conference room until the Grey House HR team finishes exit interviews with Morgan and Hudson. Any of them who oppose the removal of Ms. Morgan are terminated with cause also."

I turned to Ana. "Miss Steele, please identify Hyde's personal items. HR will deliver his items to his home today with his final paycheck. Sawyer, no one interrupts or interrogates Miss Steele. If people want explanations, they can speak with Ros or me."

"I'd prefer Prescott," Ana reached for the banker box offered by an Amazon. "Mr. Loeder…perhaps you should talk to Claire Carter, the GP receptionist, before you conduct conversations with Miss Hudson or Ms. Morgan."

Loeder's face questioned Ana's suggestion.

"Claire knows who was and wasn't in the office last week. You need to know these things before determining compensation for leave time." Ana led Prescott to Hyde's office.

Ana knows a female security guard at Grey Annex? I'm surprised, but try to cover by issuing more orders. "Barney, where are we with Hyde's home equipment?"

"My IT team just pulled Hyde's GEH-issued laptop, tablet and smart phone. They found a stand-alone hard drive which had a SIP IT business card taped to the bottom. The police let them take in case there are GEH materials on it."

"Barney, pull Hudson's computer, followed by Morgan's, followed by the one in Hyde' office. Email and server passwords for all GP staff are changed within the hour. Let staff know Jack Hyde was hacking their GP emails, and possibly personal emails. Check the firewall, I don't want Hyde hacking emails any longer." I ordered, watching Barney direct IT to Hudson's cubicle and Hyde's office.

"Does Miss Morgan have GEH assigned equipment at her home?" I asked Barney.

"She has a GEH-assigned smart phone and a laptop she takes between work and home. They are in the building with her today." Barney checked his information. "We confiscated both, they are in route to Grey House where they will be examined by Security and IT."

"Does Miss Hudson have GEH-assigned equipment at home?" I asked Barney.

"Not that I'm aware, sir," Barney answered. "Her GEH tablet is in her cubicle. IT is removing the tablet and the work station. Loeder, I'll need at least one hour with the HR computers to determine if there is an issue." Barney informed Loeder before he headed to HR with Security and the Grey House HR team in tow.

XXX – 3PPOV

Ana was the only staff not observing the situation. Also, she was the only one who wasn't secretly primping in hopes of catching Christian Grey's gaze. Once Ana knew the editorial meeting was postponed and she was working, she pulled her hair into a ponytail instead of curls cascading and covering her breasts. That action confirmed what Ros knew – Jack Hyde leered at Ana every chance he had, causing Ana to cover her body in order to not draw attention. Ros observed Ana's clothing for today's editorial meeting: sedate navy tweed dress, Michael Kors navy mid-range heels, tasteful gold jewelry, minimal makeup, professional attitude. She liked Ana as much as she hated Hyde and Morgan. She also liked the fact Ana was unfazed by Christian's brusque orders. She doubted Christian discussed the situation with Ana considering her reaction when Ros approached her this morning.

Ros examined the room which had gone quiet during the office drama. "I believe you all have work to do." Her eyes floated over everyone in the Editorial Pool and came to rest on Christian who watched Prescott. Ana moved manuscripts with a copy of her synopses attached to her office. Hyde wrote notes and questions on the synopsis… anticipating interrogating Ana at this morning's editorial meeting. She left the manuscripts in progress in his office. Prescott gave her another banker box and she began removing Hyde's personal items from his office. While everyone else was shocked into inaction, Ana worked. Ros intended to discuss the situation with Christian.

"Christian, let's surprise Jerry Roach and tell him there's been a change in his staff and his editorial meeting is postponed." They moved off with security following.

XXX – APOV

Ros reappeared at my desk just before noon. "Ana, if you will…" she held out her hand to indicate I was to follow her.

I was in shock. "Are you firing me?" I asked Ros quietly when we were out of range of the rest of the staff.

"Of course, not, Ana, your job is secure." Ros continued to HR. "GEH has high expectations for you. Many of the editors, your coworkers and the managing staff all praise your work ethics and your abilities. GEH would be foolish to fire an asset like you. The last time I looked, GEH is run by a brilliant young billionaire." She arrived at HR and tapped on the door before entering. "Robb Loeder, you remember Ana Steele."

Pleasantries aside, Robb Loeder launched into his spiel. "Miss Steele, GEH is grateful for your work with the SEC to prove Jack Hyde has been committing securities fraud."

Ros interrupted, "We can't talk about the SEC investigation or the SPD investigation, although Ana probably knows more than we do. What we can talk about is offering you a position commensurate with your knowledge, skills and abilities. Grey Publishing is offering you a position as Copy Editor."

"Is this Mr. Grey's idea?" I asked. "Because if this is his plan, I will tender my resignation right now and be gone within the hour. I don't need backlash from Hyde or Morgan over this."

"Christian and I agreed to fire Blandino, Hudson, Hyde and Morgan. We agreed to put Robb Loeder in Morgan's position and agreed to follow his directives about restructuring GP." Ros explained.

"This position offer is my plan." Robb Loeder announced. "While Hyde's title is Commissioning Editor, he really was a Copy Editor who also recruited new authors. Essentially, every editor commissions new works, as evidenced by the manuscripts given you to read by all the editors. Hyde was able to read manuscripts and know if there were consistency issues. These are the Work Performance Standards for a Copy Editor. Look them over before you make a decision. As a matter of fact, when you leave for lunch, take the rest of the day off. Think about this and let me know first thing tomorrow morning. If there are items to negotiate, we'll set a time to discuss them."

"You are not eliminating my job as Editorial Reader?" I sought clarification.

"No. If you choose to keep your job as Editorial Reader, we would like you to act as an interim Copy Editor until we could fill Jack Hyde's position. We need to conduct your thirty-day employee evaluation this week. You submitted forty-eight manuscript synopses which means you will receive an Exceeds Expectations for that portion of your employee evaluation, in case you were worried. Meets Standards is fifteen percent of your evaluation. Your overall total is Exceeds Expectations. You will receive a two and a half percent raise and five days of leave for the bonus."

"I was a bit nervous," I admitted. I was a lot nervous, especially when I saw Ros and Christian. I thought I was about to have a contentious job review with Elizabeth.

XXX

I stop at the concierge desk at my condo building to introduce myself. I complete paperwork for the condo association. The concierge showed me where to put trash and recycling. They have separate bins for aluminum, glass, white paper, newspaper and cardboard. They took me to my storage unit on the first floor. They ensured I knew where my parking spaces were and asked about vehicles and license plates which might park there. I tell them mine, Dad's and Kate's plate numbers. They still have Elliot's on file. They ensure I have my own elevator code. I ask them not to cancel Elliot's code as he and Kate are my emergency contacts. I ask them to announce all visitors. They give me a folder with flyers from local stores, restaurants, and places of interest. The folder holds the list of trash and recycling days, the CCRs for the building, along with a list of the homeowner's association meetings and a contact page.

I surprise Dad and Laura when I arrive. Laura finished grocery whopping; Dad finished all the tasks for me today. I have renter's insurance. Lita's registration and insurance are paid. Dad submitted a change of address for my driver's license. I changed into jeans and a t-shirt.

Dad made tea and Laura made me a snack while I told them about my work situation. Ros and Loeder gave me the rest of the afternoon off. I can finally disclose my real relationship with Harley and Shawn. I explained my suspicions about Jack Hyde and Elena Lincoln and insider trading. I reveal Elena Lincoln was Grace's friend and Christian's business partner until September thirtieth. I share the newspaper articles about the SEC arrests. I explain about today's terminations and the Copy Editor job offer. I explain I need to make a decision before tomorrow morning.

"What happened with Elliot this morning?" Laura was curious because Dad was in a mood.

"Out of control jealous Christian Grey yelled at me and gave Elliot a black eye."

"Why?" Laura was speechless.

"He misunderstood the situation." I understated the facts.

"Yeah…misunderstood," Dad comments dryly. "He thought Annie slept with Elliot."

"He didn't accuse us…but he jumped to conclusions and punched Elliot before asking for the facts," I spring the ugly news.

"I thought Elliot liked blondes?" Laura looked at me with questioning eyes.

I nodded. "Kate's pissed. Elliot has a monster black eye – almost as bad as the one from their Labor Day accident. I'm glad both of you are in town. I used you as the reason I can't attend the dinner at Escala tonight for the Kavanaghs and the Greys. Elliot and Kate are telling Carrick, Grace and Mia about their engagement. They will reveal Elliot is moving in with Kate and my move to Elliot's condo."

I threw myself into unpacking and sorting my home office. I shut my mind off the best I could, loading the desk, setting up the printer and computer, rearranging bookshelves, positioning the rocker and reading lamp. I put the books from the sliding trays on the bookshelves in the living room. The sliding trays will go home with Dad to Montesano. They can use them under the bed in the guest room to hold more linens and pillows.

Laura cleaned and organized the guest bathroom. She put things away in the linen closet. Dad shopped for replacement legs for the Laura Ashley chair. Laura recommends professionally steam cleaning the living room furniture. I search the concierge folder, find a company with a discount coupon and give them a call.

Before five, I've come to a decision. I email Robb Loeder and explain I plan to take the Copy Editor job. I ask for the rest of the week off, utilizing the leave I earned with the Exceeds Expectations review at ninety days. I explain I would start the new position tomorrow, but I'm in the process of moving and I can't deal with anything else right now. I include my new address. I believe if I start the new position on Monday, fewer people will believe I'm taking advantage of Hyde and Morgan being fired.

Robb emailed within the hour and asked for a meeting at ten on Friday morning to sign paperwork, etc. He will conduct my thirty-day employee evaluation of the Editorial Reader position. I'm to email requests and negotiations for the copy editor position. More stress I don't need right now.

I email Mary. My emotions are in a quandary. I tell her about Kate and Elliot's engagement and switching condos with one another. Two days of packing, cleaning, moving, and SHOPPING. I tell her I nibbled on breakfast because I was upset over Christian storming the condo this morning. He also made no attempt to apologize for yelling at me. I explain I turned down a dinner invitation at Christian's condo. I tell her about the excellent job offer which will utilize more of my abilities. I reveal she needs to read the information regarding the SEC arrests. I want to discuss the situation with her. I plan to refine my morning and evening routine to fulfill job duties and acclimate to my new condo.

XXX – CPOV

"We have an issue," I informed Ros and my department heads. I told them about the SEC investigation into Hyde and Lincoln and Grey House's involvement. "Hyde and Lincoln are looking to share their securities fraud charges with other people. He's blaming Anastasia Steele, an employee at Grey Publishing. Elena Lincoln is blaming me. Elizabeth Morgan is blaming Hyde because she stupidly loaned him money for stock purchases, but did not ask what stock he planned to buy. SEC is investigating Oliva Blandino at Grey House, and Lauren Hudson at Grey Publishing, for providing proprietary information to Elena Lincoln."

"The SEC begins a review of Grey House books beginning tomorrow. I need each of you to be available if the investigators want to interview you. Andrea, provide a large, private conference room for their use. Ensure they have a plenty of beverages and a catered breakfast and lunch buffet every day they are here. GEH has nothing to hide. Any files the SEC wants to see are open to them, after Legal gets a signed nondisclosure agreement concerning our pending projects. HR, make sure they have two or three administrative assistants to help – perhaps one from M&A, one from Financial and one from Legal? I want nondisclosure agreements signed by the administrative assistants…they are not to gossip about anything they hear in the SEC meetings. Barney, I want the SEC to have a dedicated, secure WIFI connection."

"Can do," Barney replied. "The analysis of Hyde and Morgan's computers will be finalized first thing tomorrow morning. Hudson's computer analysis is complete; she had nothing questionable other than a few personal emails to Olivia Blandino. I printed the emails, and am in the process of scrubbing the computer clean." He hands a folder to me. "Grey Publishing IT will retrieve cleared electronics from my team by the end of the week and reinstall them as needed."

I peruse the emails and hand the folder off to HR. "File a copy of those with Hudson's HR file and a copy with Blandino's HR file in case of lawsuit against us. Note the date and time of each email, and add a copy of the company policy regarding personal emails." Somehow, I'm not shocked because Blandino and Hudson discussed me, Ana, clothes and personal issues at all hours of the work day. Blandino warned her roommate Hudson about the inappropriateness of her showgirl costume for Halloween.

"You're not worried?" Legal inquired.

"About what?" I seek to reassure Legal. "GEH is not a publicly traded company. The funds acquired in buyouts are reinvested to strengthen the new acquisition's usefulness as a GEH subsidiary. GEH had nondisclosure agreements in place before we began mergers and acquisitions. If any of my staff committed securities fraud or facilitated securities fraud, like Blandino, Hudson and Morgan, they will be fired with cause."

I dismiss everyone from the room except Andrea and Taylor. "Andrea, Taylor – I need one more task completed before the end of the day. I need a bottle of Bollinger Grande Année Rosé 1999. Here are the names of three takeout/delivery food places near Elliot's previous condo. I need a $100 gift certificate to each of the three, delivered with the champagne to Ana Steele at Elliot's condo. Taylor, please update Elliot's address to Kate Kavanagh's condo. Please update Ana's information at Elliot's old condo. Andrea, I'll write a card to go with the champagne and gift certificate delivery."

XXX

Ana – good luck in the new condo.
Thank you for uprooting your life to help
Elliot and Kate start their new life together.
I am sorry I was an ass this morning…
I'm just going to quote you…
"I think I've had my fill of surprises."
Christian

XXX

"Christian," Ros entered my office at the end of the day. "We have to talk." She indicated Barney and Taylor standing at the door.

"Oh hell…come on in…the more the merrier. We must finish this discussion in the next fifteen minutes because I have a mandatory dinner with family." I explain.

Barney spoke. "We have video proof Jack Hyde assaulted seven of his interns."

I sank back in my chair, speechless. Thoughts, fears, anger…I know they flashed across my face.

"Not Ana Steele," Ros reassured me. "I'm concerned for her safety. I believe the video proof…obviously, Jack Hyde had plans for Ana. I don't know if Hyde or Morgan know her involvement with the SEC, but I don't trust him. I think Jack Hyde is the worst sort of human. I believe he will attempt contact with Ana. I would like her to have security…a full CPO detail…until the SEC investigation and prosecution are completed."

"I agree with Ros's opinion," Taylor opined. "However, Miss Steele does not want any of Mr. Grey's security following her. We must devise an alternate solution. Barney has the videos and he will contact Welch before he contacts the interns. Then the intern information needs to be forwarded to SPD."

XXX – APOV

The front desk announced a delivery. Dad went into protective mode and retrieved my delivery from the front desk. "Champagne," He announced when he returned.

"Christian?" I am surprised…but yet, I am not surprised.

"I didn't read the card Annie," he handed me the card and put the champagne in the refrigerator.

I read the card and sigh. Fifty's trying to feed me, again. "Well, Christian apologized for being an ass this morning. So," I fanned out the gift certificates. "Christian bought dinner for us for the rest of the week. Do you feel like Italian, gourmet sub sandwiches or barbeque for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow?"

"Barbeque!" Dad and Laura shouted!

I found a flyer in the concierge folder for the barbecue place, offering ten percent off and free delivery for orders over $100. Laura and I work on a large dinner order for eight. Dinner for tonight, lunch for tomorrow, and leftovers to freeze?

XXX – CPOV

"Boss," Taylor interrupted my thoughts on the way home. "I have a situation I need to handle tonight. Ryan will be at the condo with you. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Personal…or professional?" I asked Taylor.

"Personal, sir. Very personal," Taylor replied.

"Take all the time you need. If you don't return home tonight, let Ryan and Reynolds know." I directed. "My family and Miss Kavanagh's family are coming to dinner. Should I ask Mrs. Jones to hold dinner for you?"

"No; I don't know how long I'll be. Please save me a piece of Gail's chocolate cake." Taylor's request is simple.

XXX – Taylor's POV

My contact at SPD meets me for an imported beer and a gourmet cheeseburger with all the fixings. He refuses to talk until we order. He has a Hawaiian burger plate with grilled pineapple and mango on his burger with Sweet Potato Fries. He orders a Newcastle Brown Ale. I order a Caprese Burger Plate. My ciabatta bun is toasted with garlic butter and garnished with heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. My burger is served with Italian greens tossed with a red wine vinaigrette. I order a Stella Artois Lager.

After we order and have a sip of our first beer, he shares his information. Mrs. Lincoln is still at SPD, awaiting arraignment for violating her no-contact order. A mysterious package containing a contact list of Lincoln's working girls, contact list of their clients, a spreadsheet of the funds the girls earned, pictures of the girls in action with clients, etc. arrived at SPD's Sex Crimes Unit. First-degree pandering is a Class B felony, with a fine of up to $20,000 and/or ten years in prison per charge. My contact laughs when he tells me the maximum sentence Mrs. Lincoln is facing for promoting prostitution is 2000 years in prison and $4 million in fines. The DA doesn't want to move forward with the charges until they can arrest the girls and the clients. Currently, SPD's holding cells are full after the holidays. Additionally, they need time to prepare 225 arrest warrants, plea deals, and ensure they have enough evidence to make the charges stick. My contact promises to inform me when the arrests happen.

He relates the mysterious package contained a list of Mrs. Lincoln's assets…including her offshore bank account which currently holds almost $10 million dollars. The Washington Attorney General's Office, working with the U.S. Attorney General's Office, the SEC, the IRS and the SPD now have a three-prong legal attack against Mrs. Lincoln. First, the SEC will continue their investigation. Second, the IRS will seize her home, businesses, bank accounts, assets and her offshore bank account. The IRS is unhappy because the U.S. Attorney General's Office directives state the funds realized by seizure and sales will be shared with coordinating entities: USAG, WAG, SEC and the SPD. Every agency gets a large slice of the Elena Lincoln financial pie.

Third, the SPD will charge Lincoln with 200 counts of promoting prostitution. Currently the Washington Attorney General's Office will determine what to do with Mrs. Lincoln. The DA has to charge and arraign her for the no-contact order violation by January sixth. He predicts the IRS will charge her and seize assets before she is released on bail for the no-contact order.

I tell him what Barney found on a stand-alone drive at Jack Hyde's home. Once Grey House speaks with the interns, I can contact him. The SEC charge against Hyde would keep him in a minimum-security federal prison – a.k.a. Club Fed. With charges of cybercrimes, invasion of privacy, sexual assault and blackmail – the State of Washington will keep him out of Club Fed and put him in the state system where inmates detest sexual predators. My contact recommends security and silence for all involved until investigations are complete.

I gladly paid the tab for our beers and food.