Mr. Welch isn't a hacker. In fact, he has never done anything that would get him in jail to obtain information. Sometimes, he encounters complications which require him to dedicate more time but nothing a man of his experience would call a barrier.
However, Ana is one of those people who don't share their personal information freely for all to see. He has got the profile picture, which Grey could have provided from the CCTV, and her e-mail, which Grey has got already. After some time, he has to call Grey and ask him whether there are any additional pieces of information which he can share. Grey is annoyed, as expected, but he divulges the identity of Ana's roommate.
Katherine Kavanagh is more exposed - after all, she is in the student paper. Still, he can't find their address. That is, if they truly live together. He finds himself doing some research into Kavanagh and her family instead of his real task and stops himself from going that direction any further because it is proving to be pointless.
And yet, he can't simply call Grey and tell him that the girl is a ghost - because that's not true. The school must have her social number, driver's license number, home address, flat address, and so on. It seems he must dig deeper than usual to get what Grey wants. He also needs to ask for more money but not until the job is done.
It is early morning when he hears a soft voice. "Do you know what I wonder about?"
Welch yelps and turns around. In the dim glow of his monitor, he can see a figure leaning on a wall behind him. He is gripped by a fear even direr than his situation.
"I wonder why are you researching the governor's sister," the man answers his own question.
It clicks for Welch right away. He didn't make the connection with John Black before - it is a common surname, after all. Then again, the only family member the governor is ever photographed with is his wife so it would have been difficult even if he had (made the connection).
"How..." he stammers and starts again. "How did you get in here?"
"The door was unlocked and I took your grunt as a permission to enter. Now, I have answered your question. Why don't you answer mine?"
Jasper's voice remains silky but Welch is gripped by that fear again.
"I'm not doing anything illegal! It's just a routine background check for Christian Grey."
"You aren't doing anything legal either. And you are wasting taxpayers' money. And you are suspicious. Now, do tell me, what does this Grey have to do with Ana?"
Normally, Welch would be going for his gun already or he would at least demand to know who the intruder is. As it is, he is too meek and complies.
"She's, you know, his girlfriend. He needs to check that she's not a terrorist before it goes any further."
He has chosen the word "girlfriend" even though he knows its not true yet and even though he has some idea that Grey's relationships aren't that traditional.
The aura of fear abates partially. Jasper has heard that Ana imprinted but he doesn't know any details.
"That's news to me," he opts to say. "A moment please."
Jasper makes a phone call. Welch glances at a drawer where his revolver is but Jasper catches his eyes and gives him an almost imperceivable head-shake.
Welch can't understand the conversation because Jasper moves away from him and talks very quietly. The phone call is over quickly and the rest of the unnatural fear gripping him dissipates. His natural feeling of being quite unnerved remains.
"Well, your story checks out so far. The question is, are you really working for Mr. Grey? We can have Ana call him and clear it out but I suspect you want me out of your hair as quickly as possible. Does he accept calls from you this early?"
Welch nods. Jasper takes Welch's phone and scrolls through the contacts until he finds Christian Grey. He sends a quick message from his own device to have the number verified. Welch has the contact stored under the real name, there is no reason not to. Jasper puts the call on speaker.
"Hey, do you have a search warrant?" growls Welch while it dials.
"I'm not a cop, I don't need one. Besides, if you are truly working for Mr. Grey, you won't be complaining."
Christian picks the call up and growls, "Have you run into another snag?"
"Mr. Grey, we are sorry for bothering you this early. I'm Ana's uncle Jasper. Well, granduncle, actually, but they all call me uncle."
"Call cops!" shouts Welch.
"Now, now, Mr. Welch, you'll wake your neighbors."
"What's going on there?!"
"Mr. Grey, Mr. Welch has crossed certain limits while investigating the governor's sister. However, if he truly works for you, then no harm done. In fact, we might even let him continue his work, just to see how far can he get."
"Fat chance of that, I'm done with this!" avows Welch.
Christian has half the mind to hang up and do as Welch said. Then again, involving police will garner negative publicity.
"How do I know you are whom you claim to be?" he asks.
"We can bring Ana into this conversation, if you wish. Or perhaps the governor? However, Mr. Welch is getting increasingly nervous here. I think he'll appreciate if you confirm his claim."
While Jasper talks, he receives a message and takes a glance at it.
"Just tell him that I work for you," pleads Welch. "I've told him what's this about already."
Christian hits the mute and thinks while pacing nervously. This is a rather novel experience for him. Does this guy implication mean that Ana is John Black's sister? Well, their last names match but that can be a coincidence.
In the end, he remembers how loyal Welch was for all this time. It would be a bad form to deny knowing him, despite his screwup.
"Yes, Mr. Welch does background checks for people I get involved with. Someone in my position needs to be careful. All strictly legal, though."
"I understand. As for Ana, I have an obligation to appraise her of this development. Let me give you an advice: Ana is a straightforward girl. If you want to know something about her, simply ask. Do you need a way of contacting her?"
"That won't be necessary," declines Christian, deciding not to comment on the fact that Ana was avoiding most of his questions.
"Very well. Pleasure."
Jasper hangs up and turns to Welch.
"I reckon that he'll either give you an extra bonus for this ordeal, or he'll fire you. If the latter happens, call this number and tell them that I've sent you."
He gives Welch a hastily scribbled number.
"That's Jenks's office," mumbles Welch.
Jenks has retired some time ago and his successor stepped in his shoes, just like Jenks himself replaced his own predecessor.
"I can't say I'm surprised that you know that. Well, I'll be off."
Welch feels something like a draft and when he raises his eyes from the paper, Jasper is gone. He redials Grey immediately. This isn't what he signed up for.
Well? Jasper told me what happened. I hope Mr. Welch is all right.
I can't say that I'm upset or surprised, that kind of thing is to be expected from someone like you. I guess it's one way to say that you are interested. In case you weren't able to tell from the way I ran away, I feel the same way. I would like to meet.
There is her phone number attached below. Christian reckons that she has got his already.
He rests his elbows on his desk and rubs his forehead. This isn't going the way he wanted. But how could he have known that the girl was the governor's sister? He copies the number in his phone.
Ana probably doesn't have regular classes this close before the finals. Seeing no reason to delay, he dials the number.
"Mr. Grey?" she answers.
"Miss Black. If you don't mind, I think we can use our first names given the situation."
"Very well. I believe there are things you wanted to know about me? My criminal record and such?"
"That's hardly necessary any longer."
"Because my brother is a governor?"
"Yes. Was there a specific reason why you didn't mention this? Later on, I mean. Or do you simply refrain from advertising the fact because you don't want people to look at you differently?"
"I don't hide the fact when somebody asks. Almost nobody ever does and I see no reason to advertise it. I guess it's not that important. For my everyday life, I mean."
"And yet you protect any information about yourself. Is that because of him?"
"Not quite. I just am not one of those people who are eager to publish their personal information for all to see."
Christian thinks that is no explanation why her uncle is on a lookout for anybody trying to access the information. But he has been sidetracked enough already, he needs to get to the point.
"Anastasia, I'm calling to see if you are all right. How's your preparation for the finals going? You say you aren't upset but I would hate this business to break your concentration."
"That's nice of you, but there's not much to tell. I've submitted my last essay and I'm done with cramming. In fact, I've been considering making a mistake or two in my finals on purpose."
Is she being flippant, arrogant, or is she so confident?
"Definitely not," he answers nonetheless. "You should do your best."
"Being a perfectionist is my brother's domain. The rest of us like little flaws on ourselves."
Christian doesn't comment.
"So, you are mostly free now?" he asks instead.
"Besides working at Clayton's, yes. It's not like I need the money but I promised to keep working as usual until the graduation. I'm sure you of all people would understand."
"Clayton's?"
"Clayton's Hardware Store."
"I see. Give me a moment, please." He looks it up quickly. "You know what? I think a I need a few things."
Let's see how perceptive she is. The fact that she is the governor's sister might complicate things but for all he knows, she may be used to way weirder stuff.
Christian pulls in a parking lot outside of Clayton's. Before he steps out, he considers the unusualness of the situation. He has never pursued a woman before. He has never been involved with somebody with a relative in high politics. The irony that he himself voted for her brother isn't lost to him.
Ana is stocking shelves when he enters the store. From the way she handles some of the heavier items, he can tell that she is no flyweight. That's good, he needs his women to be athletic. She is also moving rather quickly.
"Finished, just in time," she greets him as he approaches.
"Anastasia," he responds.
"Well, what can we help you with today?"
"Anastasia, I want you know that this is a rather novel situation for me."
"Well, same here."
As they go about his shopping, Christian mentions that he voted for John.
"You and quite a few other people in Washington. Tell me, did you do it because he's, well, not Caucasian?"
"Actually, no. But many of the people I know did."
They pick Christian's items one by one. When Ana cuts and folds a length of rope for him, she lets some of her superhuman speed show. He notices.
"Anything else you need?" she asks when he has no further requests.
"I don't know," he replies. "What else would you recommend?" He wants to see her reaction.
Ana understands. She strokes her chin in a display of giving it a thought.
"Plastic sheet, rubber gloves, and a cover for your hair. Coveralls as well, unless you fancy burning your clothes afterwards."
"What?" That wasn't what Christian expected.
"You are trying to tell me that you are a vigilante, right?"
"No, Anastasia, I am not," he grinds out in a measured tone. He has to admit though, the supplies he is picking do suggest a serial killer.
"Pity," remarks Ana as they walk to the counter. "That's makes you less like my grandparents."
Christian chooses not to comment. At the moment, he is half-convinced that she is making things up as she goes. Or maybe she means that her grandparents were ruthless in their time? If things work out with her, he'll have to teach her that lying to him is bad.
"How's the article going?" he asks as he pays.
"Kate is quite happy with it and from what I can tell from looking over her shoulder, she isn't taking any liberties. I guess we'll both be satisfied when she sends it to us. By the way, can she use your profile photo from the web of your company?"
"Sure."
Ana's shift is almost over so she sees Christian out of the store.
"Would you like a coffee?" he asks after he puts his purchase in the trunk. He cringes internally as he says that. Not only is it quite late, but it also sounds like a date invitation - he doesn't do dates.
"I don't do coffee," deadpans Ana. Christian has no time to ponder what it means when she adds, "Have you eaten yet?"
He shakes his head.
"Are you opposed to venison?" she asks.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Would you like to try my rabbit stew?"
Is she inviting him to a dinner at her and Kate's place? He realizes that it is actually less weird for him than going for a coffee - most of his girls cooked for him at his place.
"That would be lovely," he answers.
"Just a rabbit," she cautions.
"That would be lovely," he repeats.
There is some confusion about transportation. Christian thinks that her own car is parked somewhere around. She clarifies that she usually takes a bicycle but she walked today (in expectation of his visit).
As they drive, Ana takes her cellphone and texts Kate. The military design catches Christian's eye and then he, once again, spots her inhuman speed. It takes his attention for a moment.
"Please do watch out," utters Ana and nods at the street. Christian notices that he is veering into the left side of the street and makes a correction, angry at himself.
"Kate won't be joining us," informs Ana when they stop in front of their apartment. "It was almost cruel of me - she wanted to meet you but... well, you know what I've told you about her and the rabbits."
She leads him in and goes to what they have instead of a backyard to fetch a rabbit. She takes her jacket off on the way. Christian checks the time and calls Taylor and tells him to make a reservation at The Heathman.
When Ana returns, she holds a rabbit. The interesting bit is that it is still alive. And she is petting its head. The rabbit appears to be calm.
He also realizes that he sees Ana without a jacket for the first time. She is more robust than he estimated. In fact, she doesn't remind him of his skinny mother that much. Anymore? Or ever?
"Now that's a new level of fresh, if you ask me," remarks Christian, raising an eyebrow.
"Or a new level of me over-thinking things. I don't kill rabbits in front of the other ones, that would be weird. But then I thought, bringing it back here and killing it in front of you would be weird for other reasons."
"Ana, I'm no stranger to venison. And no, I don't want to pet it before we eat it."
"OK, I'll get on with it."
Cradling the rabbit in one hand, she takes a big plastic basin from a cupboard. There is a another plastic container in the basin. Christian notices a shape under her shirt on her right hip.
He doesn't have time to examine it or think about it for that matter. Ana disappears in the bathroom and he hears a crack of the rabbit's neck snapping. Is she going to butcher it in there? Gross.
She is back soon enough, the rabbit skinned and gutted. That was quick, thinks Christian. Is it a different rabbit, bought at a butchery?
"Would you mind me washing my hands?" he asks.
"Please. Use the towel next to the sink."
When he returns, he wishes he wasn't so curious. However, he has noticed some of the organs to be missing - heart, liver, kidneys, and such. Has she eaten those? No, that's nonsense.
He notices that the rabbit is boned already and the meat is being cut into small pieces quickly. He moves in closer to get a better look at which point Ana slows down. He notices that shape on her right hip again.
"I'm not using spices," she turns to him. "They don't agree with me and there's little need with fresh meat. Is that a problem? I do use herbs, though."
"You're the expert."
Ana cleans and chops some vegetables and adds them in the pot.
"Well, there's no speeding up of this part," she comments when the stew is on the stove.
"How fortunate. You would be the first cook I know to turn venison into fast food."
She cocks her head to a side in acknowledgment.
"Would you like some water?"
"Yes, please."
She tosses a sprig of mint in a jug, fills it with filtered water, and refills the filter pitcher. She takes two glasses from a cupboard.
"Does anyone in your family keep rabbits or something like that?" she asks.
"No, but grandpa grows and sells apples."
"You mean your adoptive grandfather?"
"Yes, of course."
Ana studies the table before her for a moment.
"You know, I'm going to ask you about this one day," she divulges finally. "But not today."
"I have to warn you that I'm quite a private person," he responds coldly.
"So I have figured."
Another moment of silence.
"What are you doing with the pelts?"
"I don't have much use for them but I do cure some of them. Maybe I'll make myself a nice rabbit coat one day."
"A rabbit coat? Aren't you afraid some tree-hugger is going to throw paint at you? And won't your roommate protest?"
"Oh please. Rabbits in my care live longer than they would, in average, live in wilderness. John and Sue would tell the press the same, if they asked them about their rabbits."
So the governor and his wife share Ana's diet? Then again, that's not so surprising, if their parents taught them that.
"This reminds me," continues Ana. "I came across a female cottontail while on a run in a forest. She was caught in a jaw trap. Those are, as you probably know, illegal in the State of Washington."
"And elsewhere."
"Thank you. I put the rabbit out of its misery, ate it, and destroyed the trap."
"Destroyed the trap?"
"Yes, I'm quite strong. But then I considered the age of the rabbit in my stomach and thought, what if she has young ones somewhere? So, I backtracked her path..."
Christian hides his face in his hands. He'll have to spank Ana one day for all of those make-believes - until her behind is red. She is governor's sister though. Then again, he won't be in the office forever.
"And just like I thought, there were three young rabbits in her lair. My savage heart broke for them, just like Kate's civilized one breaks for all the ones I eat. I brought them home and tried to breed them with mine."
"Cottontails can't breed with domestic rabbits. It would be almost as foolhardy as trying to breed rabbits and hares."
"Oh, is that so? Come and see, I haven't eaten those three yet."
Ana grabs Christian's hand and pulls him to the hutches. Damn, she is strong. Not like his mother at all indeed.
When they get near, Ana puts her finger to her lips. She leans in and whispers in Christian's ear.
"For some reason, they start rutting when I take one of them away. I guess they aren't as dumb as I believe them to be."
True enough, there is one of the cottontails with one of the other rabbits. Christian thinks that he shouldn't worry about Ana talking with press about him - John Black should worry about him talking with press about Ana!
"That's nothing out of ordinary, you know," stammers Christian. "I saw a video on YouTube with a rabbit and a cat."
"Nasty," comments Ana. "Let's go back, the stew is well enough for me now."
Christian wonders whether it has been long enough but when they return to the kitchen, Ana elaborates as she takes a bowl from the cupboard and a spoon from a drawer.
"I like my stew undercooked so I'l risk making a faux pas. You have to admit that it's better to eat while the food is hot rather than to reheat it later. I would advise you to wait for a few more minutes."
She prepares a soup plate next to the stove for Christian and sits down.
"Bon Appetit... to myself," she utters and wolfs the food down as if it was an appetizer while washing it down with gulps of water. She washes the bowl and the spoon in the sink a little and puts them in a dishwasher.
"You like your rabbits rare," comments Christian as Ana flops down on a sofa and burps lightly with an apology.
"Or raw. Deer is better though."
There goes a tall tale. Again?
"Haven't you heard about rabbit fever?"
"From my grandma. Does nothing to me. Don't worry, it doesn't transmit between humans."
Glancing at a clock, Christian decides that his portion should be medium rare. Good enough for him. Unless those rabbits caught rabbit fever from Ana. Or her brother. Or his wife.
"Does the governor visit you here sometime?" he asks as he dumps the rest of the pot on his plate.
"You know where cutlery is," calls Ana and points at the drawer. "Rarely, but yes, he does. Him or Sue. To trade rabbits. We don't live so far from each other, after all. As you might have heard, keeping the bloodlines healthy is half the challenge of keeping rabbits. Something like growing vines, I guess."
Christian sits down with his plate and Ana, remembering her good manners, asks, "Blimey, you would probably like a slice of bread with that, wouldn't you?"
"It crossed my mind."
"Kate surely has some somewhere around here," mumbles Ana and gets up.
"Let me guess, you don't eat bread."
"That's right."
She finds a loaf of bread and cuts a slice for Christian. Then she refills her glass and seats herself opposite from Christian.
"So, you have deftly deflected my inquiry about you and turned the conversation back to rabbits a while ago," she comments.
Christian is eating at the moment so he responds by giving her a look. He has to admit that the food is surprisingly tasty. He remembers a passage from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe which he read as a kid. In the passage, the children eat freshly caught fish with with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver and are amazed how different it is from every other fish they ever ate. Something at the edge of his mind is telling him that he is about to undertake a similar journey through a rabbit hole but somebody like Mr. Grey isn't listening to such gut feelings - he is the master of his universe.
"Let's return to my grandparents," continues Ana, catching Christian's attention. "And related topics, such as yourself. Would you consider yourself a visionary?"
"You mean like Steve Jobs? My primary responsibility is to make the company prosper. But yes, it would be nice to improve the world a little along the way."
"Huh. So you are like them a little. My grandparents, I mean. Though I guess you would like my youngest brother Billy more - he's the tech-nut in our family."
Christian is chewing at the moment.
"How many of you are there?" he asks after a while. "Siblings, I mean. Your brother John is rather tight lipped about his family. In fact, public knows more about your father Jacob and his family." He doesn't mention the fact that "no one" has actually seen Jacob lately.
"Yeah, that comes with being descended from our maternal grandparents. Six, including me and John."
She wants to add "for now" but keeps silent. Christian remains silent as well for the moment and eats. Ana refills his glass of water.
"Just like I thought," she utters suddenly.
"I beg your pardon?"
"That's Kate's car. She avoids joining us for meal but still gets to meet you. I need to clean the stuff in the bathroom away."
Kate enters and greets Christian jovially. It is the first time she meets him in person. She thanks him for agreeing to the interview.
"You have a very nice place," replies Christian.
"Thank you. That's how Ana and me met, actually. My parents wanted to buy this from her grandparents but they couldn't sell because Ana was going to enroll a year later. In the end, I was invited to stay here for as long as I wanted - and for as long as I could put up with Ana. And let me tell you, she can be a real moralizer sometimes. Our families started doing business together later and, well, let's just say that several last years were interesting."
So Ana is finishing a year early, thinks Christian. He can't say that he is surprised.
"Kate," drawls Ana, returning from the bathroom. Her tone was unmistakable: You talk too much. Christian doesn't even have time to wonder whether Kate actually meant that Ana's and John's grandparents are still alive. Ana turns to him and divulges, "By the way, has Kate told you that she'll be delivering a speech too?"
"You will?" comments Christian politely, raising an eyebrow. Truth to be told, he isn't surprised much.
"Yes, right after the chancellor's opening address. He even took a peek at the article, I think he hopes that it will be all in the same overall tune. Any chance you might give me an outline of your speech in advance? My own is finished already, of course, but I might make some last minute edits."
"Please, do concentrate on you finals first, Miss Kavanagh. Speaking of which, I've taken too much of your time already, Ana. I would hate to distract you before your studies are concluded."
Truth to be told, he needs to clear his head.
"OK, I'll see you out."
Before Ana does that, she dons her jacket again. It wouldn't do if a neighbor saw her with a gun printing under her shirt.
"Are you going to drive back to Seattle at night?" she asks outside.
"No, I'm staying at The Heathman. I'll drive back tomorrow. Would you like to join me for a breakfast?"
"I fear we have different diets. You can stop by though, if you want."
Christian opens his car, then he runs his fingers through his hair and turns to Ana.
"Look, I don't usually do this kind of stuff. In fact, I've never visited a woman at her home before."
"That's alright," laughs Ana. "I've never brought a guy here either. Kate, on the other hand, does that from time to time. Plenty of opportunities to observe human behavior. Up to a certain limit, of course. Then again, I do have good ears..."
"See you tomorrow," says Christian quickly and gets in the car.
Kate is waiting for Ana when she gets back.
"Well?" she asks.
"Nothing so far. Not one kiss. I guess he needs to protect himself from harassment lawsuits."
"Or maybe I was right. Maybe this is all just a show to cover it up."
"Oh come on."
"Don't be intolerant, it would be perfectly OK. By the way, do you know that Ros Bailey, his second in command, is living with a woman? You know, that way. Found that out."
"Perhaps you should have asked her instead of Christian to give you an interview."
Next morning, Christian stops by briefly and they agree to make plans for after the finals.
"What do we know about this guy?" asks Jacob through the "pack" mind link.
"At the moment, just the public record," answers Edward out loud. "Speaking of which, his adoptive mother, Dr. Grey, was Carlisle's student."
"Huh, small world," thinks Ana from Vancouver. "However, we should keep from digging any deeper," she insists. "It would be hypocritical to breach his privacy after we prevented him from finding out more about me. Besides, I want him to tell me about the time before his adoption himself."
"He probably doesn't remember much."
"It wouldn't surprise me if he surprised you."
"Still, if there's something dirty about him, it could jeopardize John's political career."
At the moment, he means "corruption" when he says "dirt".
"I wouldn't want us to become like the Kennedy family," interjects John. "And not just because that would make me JFK."
"Well, the dice is cast anyway," reminds them Jacob. "And Elizabeth wants me to give Ana space so we should do just that."
"Very well. But sooner or later, we'll have to take a closer look at him if he doesn't talk. In the meantime, I'll ask John Smith to prepare paperwork for him."
They touch on the subject of SIP but there is not much to be said at this point. Ana leaves but the others discuss Rufus Feller and his group briefly (Rufus Feller is one of the only two known real vampires in the world).