Christian was beyond frustrated. The Taiwanese deal was going south, a huge deal with a Korean telecom company was in limbo but more than that, it was a conversation with the police that had the Master of his Universe unnerved. If, no when, this information came out he would be ruined. None of the rest of it would matter.
How could he disappoint his family yet again? He had never felt truly worthy of love from the Grey's. Christian had worked hard to rid himself of the stigma of his humble beginnings. His time with Elena served as some kind of penance for not saving his birth mother and bringing anguish to Grace and Carrick. What Elena delivered he had deserved. Now his decisions and indiscretions were coming home to roost. Someone was indeed killing Doms and he nor were his team able to find the culprit.
The dead Doms lived all across the US but most were originally from or near Seattle. The one commonality was the Coping Together foundation. His mother, as founder had been brought in for an interrogation and was devastated to learn the fate of children she fought so hard to save. Now her reputation was in question. Elena was dead and the police found more than fifty folders on her desk; his name among them. It was only a matter of time before his connection with Elena would be in the headlines and more accusations would be hurled at his mother, the angel that saved him.
The FBI learned thru analysis of phone and computer records the murdered men had a penchant for children. It was further discovered that some of their tastes were extreme, landing more than a few Submissives in the hospital. Christian hadn't taken Elena seriously all those weeks ago, well not initially. It had taken some time but he was finally able to discover that A. Rosenblum was indeed a former "submissive ". Much to his surprise it was none other than the now formidable Anastasia Steele. She was no longer affected or intimidated by Dom Christian Grey, in fact, she was pretty much disgusted by the sight of him. When he attempted to remind her of the insurance photos, she astonished him with photos and a video of her own.
Yes she had written The Submissive's Revenge. No she wasn't a suspect. She had been thoroughly vetted. Her book was partially a work of fiction, born of the need to exorcise her own demons. They were at a stale mate. He had no choice but to work with her in an attempt to solve this mystery. She gave very little away in terms of her feelings for him but if he could name one emotion it would be contempt.
Anastasia, the consummate professional was also a very clever and astute young woman. While the FBI and his team focused on vengeful Submissives, she took it a step further. She and Luke combed through the files looking for other bits of information, connecting the dots, deciding on yet another motive for the murders; avenging a loved one.
Christian Grey was a mess and that is what brought him to Flynn's office the evening Elena's body was discovered.
Flynn sat across from an anxious, distraught, and defeated Christian Grey. This would be a long night. He was offered his patient his choice of coffee or tea and waited.
Christian looked towards the doctor without really seeing him, opening and closing his mouth a few times to speak but his vocal chords refused to cooperate. Rubbing his hands through his hair and over his face, his head landed in his hands and he cried. He cried for the four year old boy abused at the hands of his birth mother, her pimps, and her johns. He cried for the preadolescent boy afraid his new family would abandon him. He cried for the teenage boy abused at the hands of a monster. He cried for the lonely man living in an ivory tower who had everything and nothing.
The sun was rising when he finally left the doctors office having begun the process of purging the darkness from his soul. He was ready to move forward but knew he had a long, arduous road ahead. His throat ached from talking all night but he felt lighter and more hopeful than he had in, well ever. His first priority would be coming clean to his family. There was no illusion it would be easy. Flynn volunteered to be by his side once a time was scheduled. He and Flynn would get together in a few days to work out an intensive, comprehensive program that would keep him moving forward.
Taylor, back from an emergency with his daughter, was waiting for him as he stepped out of the office. The early morning breeze chilled the perspiration on his brow causing him to shiver slightly. By the time they arrived at Escala he was feverish, shaking uncontrollably and his chest ached. Taylor ignored Christian and called for an ambulance. Grabbing his chest, gasping for air, Christian sank to the floor thinking not now, not now, as darkness took him.