CHAPTER 13

The meeting was set at 9am at Steele Enterprises, Inc. Martin and Karen Daniels, Ana, Christian, Taylor, Welch, Barney, David Ross (Chief of Security), Harry Culligan SEI Tech Leader), and FBI Special Agent Griffin Howe attended.

Everything was explained and Ana filled them all in on the information she dug up on who was involved so far in the scheme of both companies.

Christian had brought to the meeting a full work history report on Jackson R Hyde. It seems the assistants or Assistant PA's who were all female had been fired every two to three months for unknown reasons through his work history since two years into working at DTE. They never reported anything to HR or anyone else. They just up and quit. Welch said most of the women departed after business trips, and has shone as a trend.

Harry Culligan, SEI Tech Leader, handed over reports and banking information on the two SEI supervisors work history Patrica Ziare and James Devlin that were known to have been complicit and involved with GEH/DTE Jackson R Hyde. He also had reports on the supervisors in Finance, Accounting, Accounts Payable, Auditing, and Accounts Receivable Departments. The supervisor in the Finance and Accounting Department had the same money amounts transferred into their bank accounts from the shell company.

Welch gave a report on work history for Jackson's PA, Elizabeth Morgan. She had been in the company five years and had followed as his secretary up the ladder to the CEO's office. Welch believed she could be involved too. Her bank account has suspicious money transfers coming in at various times from the shell company. He was trying to locate the last four assistant PA's.

John Davis, SEI's Chief of Security, submitted reports on all background checks of suspected supervisors and an audit trail of downloaded information in the departments tracked by the network in SEI.

Barney, from GEH, had the money trail from DTE to the shell company, Capital Marketing. It seemed that Hyde had in the Payroll Department, four ghost employees set up to skim money in biweekly checks for the last year and a half for substantial amounts. He also had vendor payments routed through to the shell company. The vendor payments were altered in the DTE network for the last year and a half. So Payroll, Accounting, Finance, Accounts Receivable, and Accounts Payable were compromised in DTE.

Barney also added a list of the names of the employees in Accounting, Finance, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and CCTV of the unusual downloads of information off the system that was captured seeing them pocketing thumb drives at GEH.

The FBI Agent said that it would seem that there is solid evidence of corporate espionage involving all three companies so far and maybe more later. The FBI was going to do a corporate sting on GEH and SEI first involving the four employees of each of the two companies and glean as much information off of them to see how far it goes. The FTC will get involved when the employee retention happens after tomorrow. The agent did not want to go after DTE until all information they could get was accumulated. She said she would set up the rounding up of employees tomorrow morning. She said to let the sleeping dog lie and not alert employees of anything. The agent said to place a promotions meeting for the four employees to be rounded up in a conference room so agents don't have to hunt them down. Christian and Ana set the meetings up with their PA's.

When the meeting was over everyone went back to their jobs. Christian kissed Ana goodbye.

—--

The next morning Ana went into work and at ten o'clock she went with five FBI agents to a closed conference room and the supervisors were arrested for suspicion of corporate espionage. One man started wailing and crying that they were threatening his family if he didn't cooperate. The agent said, "Then I guess taking the money and spending it was ok? None of you left it sitting in your accounts if you were forced so I guess that doesn't count? Get them out of here." They took the four supervisors down to the transport van in cuffs. The same occurred in GEH's conference room.

The next day, Christian and Ana were notified that they got full confessions from all eight of the supervisors that were being retained. They identified all of the players they knew of so far. The agent said the only way to get how far spread the compromised actions go was to retain the players in the DTE company, most exclusively Hyde. The FBI was setting up a wide net over the DTE company for the next day.

The next day, The company Dynamic Technical Engineering was in a state of chaos after the FBI retained everyone except Hyde and Elizabeth Morgan. They had not planned on Hyde somehow getting tipped off and both of them cleaned out their bank accounts into cash and were gone. Over a period of a week later, they lost the trail of cars being switched and motel rooms rented crossing three state lines.

The FBI and FTC went through everything with a fine tooth comb. They found all the players and went through everything in Elizabeth Morgan and Jackson Hyde's home and work.

It seemed Jack Hyde had complete files on every person in the Grey family. He had been following and tracking them with information he collected over many years.

They found a journal taped to the bottom of a drawer of his desk at home. Hyde hated Christian Grey believing he stole his life by the Grey's adopting him instead of himself while in foster care at the Colliers home. He planned once the company was bought by GEH, he would set up a financial nest egg in a shell company account and begin skimming money off various places to be able to acquire people in strategic places in GEH and DTE. His intent was to undermine Christian Grey and set him up for a big fall. He knew once these people accepted the cash, he had control of their lives. He said that he learned that from his mentor, Elena Lincoln and got an abundance of information on taking down Christian Grey through her. After his mentor was put in jail, he learned about Christian's girlfriend and her company. So he decided to insert and steal her products to systematically destroy her company and find a way to kidnap her afterward because she should have been his if Christian Grey had not screwed up his life.

The FBI agent said, "He is a sociopath and desperately trying to avoid capture. He may come back and exact revenge on Mr Grey and Miss Steele. Being he already planned on kidnapping Miss Steele, he may just try that. If I were you, I would double my security, both of you until he is caught. We are still trying to pick up his trail."

In the meantime, Christian and Ana had to replace people in their company's positions, due to firing each of the eight complicit employees.

Everything had moved so fast with the FBI involved. In a matter of a couple weeks everything was contained and never went public other than the obvious arrests. The FBI did a sweep through DTE's management to find all of the guilty involved people. Christian and Ana pressed charges accordingly, but Christian made sure that Ana's company products information was returned to her after the investigation.

—--

Ana and Christian spent the night participating in long vigorous lovemaking sessions. The stress of the corporate espionage in their companies had them both very occupied and glued to the facts. They then were focused on how to fix their companies in concurrence with the FTC.

Ana was breathing heavily as Christian rolled off of her to the side. He panted, "Anastasia, why didn't you close the doors to the balcony when you were out there?"

Ana said, "I haven't been out there in weeks." They both quickly looked at the curtain blowing outward into the room. Ana jumped up put on her robe. Christian texted Taylor and put on a tshirt and sweatpants. Taylor came in and went out to the balcony with his gun drawn. There was an envelope with a letter sealed inside taped to the sliding glass door. Taylor put on his gloves and took the letter after locking the sliding glass door. He took it to the security office dusting it for prints that matched the set that they had on file of Jack Hyde's. Ana's skin crawled that that bastard was out there and opened the door while they were having sex. The note said:

—--

Dear Anastasia,

I will be back for you soon so don't get too comfortable in his bed because you will be in mine soon. I'll fuck you better than than that life stealing bastard ever could, just you wait. Times ticking. You'll be mine soon.

JH

—--

Christian took Ana back to the bedroom. Ana stated angrily, "I am going to kill that mother fucker. His days are numbered if he comes after me. I want to know how he got up here. Was it over the balcony or from the roof? I want seismic and infrared sensors on all balconies, Christian. I will be keeping my gun by the bed from now on, in my purse. I will not be caught unaware by this prick. I'll put enough holes in the bastard, he'll think he's a lawn sprinkler."

Christian chuckled because she sounded like a spitting kitten. He said, "I bet you you could do it too, baby." She had a smirk and tickled him in the ribs making him run into the bathroom shower. Ana turned on the water.

Christian yelled, "Anastasia, I have my clothes on!"

Ana took off her robe and walked up to him saying, "That's not my fault." She stated in a sexy tone, while peeling him out of his wet clothes. Ana started kissing every patch of flesh she could find. He started panting and moaning when her lips captured his nipples.

—--

A week later, it was the beginning of May and the Coping Together Gala at Christian's parents home was that weekend. Christian asked Ana to go with him. He bought her a beautiful violet blue gown, shoes and full La Perla underwear set with hold up lace stockings all in navy blue. The gown was a violet blue purple velvet mermaid dress, off the shoulder and long sleeved. He also bought her a beautiful kyanite and white gold filigree set of jewelry.

Once she had her hair done in a 1940's barrel roll style with her hair pinned back away from her face in barrel curls flowing down her back. Her makeup and hair was done perfectly at The Four Seasons Salon earlier. Ana stood in front of the mirror looking at the beautiful navy lingerie with her jewelry on. Christian walked up behind her and was gazing at her like a hungry predator with dark gray eyes full of desire.

He asked softly, "What are you thinking about in here, Anastasia? Do you know that you are looking very edible, baby?"

Ana glanced up at him blushing. She said, "Only you make me feel so very wanted and desired. I love you, Christian Grey."

Christian said, "I have something for you."

Ana said smiling, "I don't think you'll be able to fit another thing in that dress once I put it on, Christian?" He smiled and held up two Ben Wa balls.

Ana said looking at the two silver balls, "What's that and how do they work?"

Christian said sexy like, "First you put them in your mouth to wet and warm them up." He put them in her mouth once she opened her lips. He continues after pulling them out of her mouth, "Then you bend all the way over and I'll do the rest." She leaned all the way over and he pushed them into her pussy one at a time. She made little noises as he did it and it made him grin at her perfect behind. He kissed her butt cheek when he was done and stood up.

Ana said, "It feels weird but alright. What do they do?"

Christian grinned at her and said, "You'll see, baby." Ana walked over and picked up her dress, the balls shifted and she squeaked looking at him in the eyes. He started chuckling. Ana got her dress on and Christian zipped her back up.

Christian said, "You look enchanting, my beautiful Anastasia. Let's go, baby." He helped her out by putting on a faux black fox stole with two tails on each side. Ana had her purse with her Kel-Tec P-11 9mm pistol. It was very small and fit perfectly in her crossbody Dior lock mini case bag.

They left Christian's penthouse with Taylor and Sawyer. Reynolds and Ryan were following in the second SUV. Christian was so glad to finally show off his beautiful girlfriend to the world.

When they arrived the line of cars was being valeted. When Christian opened his door the lights exploded on the red carpet entry. People were shouting in a jumbled mess. Christian put out his hand and Ana took it and the lights went crazy and the shouting of both of their names was immense. He tucked her hand into his elbow and walked her into the tent, stopping for pictures just before. The tent was extraordinary, it was a Casino Royale theme. There were games in one area, silent auctions, regular auctions, dance floor and a dining area. Christian went to find his family even though everyone was trying to get his attention. They found his mother in a fancy gold trimmed green brocade high waisted gown. It was beautiful on her.

Grace said, "This year wasn't as smooth as last year and changing it from August to May would make everything cooler than the heat of August, I thought. You had everything already done and not such a rush job in the last two days like this time."

Ana said, "Grace, you look great and it looks wonderful here. You did great. I can't wait to eat and play the games."

Grace said, "You're so sweet. I just love you, Ana."

Carrick was at the podium and told everyone to take their seats for the dinner service. Christian whispered in her ear as they got to the table, "How are you feeling, Anastasia?"

Ana said softly in his ear, "Wet and ravenous." She took off her stole, her purse and sat down.

Christian leaned over and whispered in her ear, almost touching it with his lips, "Now you know what they do." Ana bit her lip and turned her head looking at him. He said, "Oh God, please stop biting your lip. I'll take you right here, baby." She stopped biting it.

He sat down next to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. Grace sat down next to her and said, "You look so very elegant with that timeless 40's look. Your dress is so flattering on your beautiful figure."

Ana said smiling at her, "Christian bought my outfit and jewelry. He was happy I let him spend money on me. It was his first time I let him. He is such a sweetheart." Grace smiled happily knowing that they were so perfectly suited. She knew Christian would spoil Ana and it would only be when she let him. Grace adored Ana for being her friend and saving her son and showing him love. Grace just couldn't get over how he always has to be touching her. Christian's hand was over hers on the table.

Elliot brought a girl in pale pink. The girl looked familiar but she ignored it. Elliot sat down next to her. Mia walked up with a dark haired man about early twenties. They sat down together.

Mia said, "Ana, you're stunning in that color your eyes look darker blue than usual."

Ana said smiling, "Thank you, Mia. You look good in red with your dark hair." Mai smiled at her. Dinner was served.

~~~~~~~

Appetizers

~~~~~~~

Aged Prosciutto

Lightly Breaded Eggplant

Oysters Rockefeller On The Half Shell

~~~~~~~~~~

Soups Salads

~~~~~~~~~~

Braised Oxtail Soup

White Onion Soup

Lemon Fennel Salad

Tomato Vidalia Onion Salad

~~~~~~~~~~~

Main Course

~~~~~~~~~

Oven Baked Lobster Tail

Roasted Red Snapper

Fettuccine With Parmesan Chicken

Pan-Seared Venison Medallions

Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

~~~~~~~~~~

Desserts

~~~~~~~~~~

Raspberry Vanilla Creme Brulee

Apricot Trio

Chocolate Lava Cake

The Captain's Sundae

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After dinner, they started the live auction of a one week vacation at a ranch in New Mexico, a week's stay in Aspen by Christian, a full spa package for three to The Four Seasons Salon and Spa, dinner for two at Canlis, ect. Ana bid on the full spa package for three and won it for $3600.

Christian said deep and sexy, "Let me show you something in the house, baby?"