Phoebe's Discovery

Chapter 7

The Lunch Date

A/N: Sorry I'm always so late with updates. I'll try harder next time. But, here you go, enjoy.

Christian's cracker-jack security team wasted little if no time at all searching for Kingsley Bennett one of the culprits responsible for Phoebe's accident. They discovered the poor man lives in Tallassee, Florida now and has for the pass three weeks tending to his ailing grandmother, the only family member he has left. Seeing that the fellow couldn't possibly have been involved, Christian and Taylor took the personal GEH jet back to Florida anxious to speak to him; hoping to fit some very important puzzle pieces that pertain to the accident together. They arranged to meet Kingsley for lunch the next day at a little quiet out of the way eatery. Kingsley accepted of course but was still baffled why the great Christian Grey would want to have lunch with a dumb nobody like him about what he hadn't a clue.

It isn't a ritzy place they are meeting at more quaint and casual but best of all clean. 11:55 a.m. on a Saturday. Kingsley, dressed in dark blue levis, a green plaid shirt and blue denim jacket strolls into Nancy's, a little restaurant not far from town the delicious smell of home cooking fills the air, intent on being on time. He looks every inch the nerd. From his shaggy brown hair, unshaven face and black wire-rim glasses he is a nerd to the gazillionth degree. He sets sight on two men sitting at a table in a far corner and his heart stops. One man looks familiar. He'd seen in the papers many times but the other just looks plain dangerous. Kingsley swallows hard and warily makes his way over to join them. Holding his hand out he tries hard not to sound like a tongue-tied jerk but fails miserably. "Hello Mr. Grey, I'm Kingsley Bennett."

This thin, gentle, pale-skinned man looks exactly like a certain graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry only older. Right now he wishes he had the cape of invisibility to crawl under.

He was not at all what Christian had expected. He despised the Kingsley he thought sure he'd be meeting but is pleasantly surprised to find otherwise; that he actually likes the young man. He motions him to sit down, introduces Taylor and gets right to the point. "Mr. Bennett,"

"Please, call me Kingsley."

"Kingsley, I want to talk to you regarding my daughter."

Kingsley's confused for he has no idea that Phoebe is his daughter or that she's been in an accident. "Your daughter, sir? Who's your daughter?"

"Phoebe Grey. You two have classes together at UC Davis, correct?"

"Y-you're Phoebe's dad? Christian Grey, CEO is Phoebe's dad?" The guy is too astounded to think coherently. "Wow, I had no idea."

A young blond waitress comes over to hand them menus and to enquire on drinks. She is very attentive and flirtatious toward Christian but of course, he ignores her. They order a coffee each.

"But you do know Phoebe? You've met her?" asks Taylor.

Kingsley nods, "Not really. I know of her. We've never actually met outside of our classes. Heck, we've never even spoken! And those classes, I had to drop them so I could move back here and take care of my ill grandmother!" He puts his elbows on the table, leans over and sighs, "Mr. Grey I don't understand why you would fly almost three thousand miles to speak to a person who has no connection to your daughter other than a college he won't be able to return to."

"But there is a connection Mr. Bennett, I mean Kingsley!" Christian says folding his hands on the table, trying to maintain his composure, "One I doubt you're aware of. You see, she was in an accident."

Kingsley cannot believe his ears, "What? What kind of accident? She's not dead is she?"

The waitress returns with three coffees and takes their order: three 'Nancy burgers' since that's what they are famous for plus a piece of apple pie each, another of their specialties.

"We're very fortunate she's not." Christian says pouring cream in his coffee, "It was an automobile accident. Hit from the back and the side. She was pulled out and kicked in the ribs."

Another look of astonishment pales Kingsley's face. " Oh my God! When did this happen? Will Phoebe be okay?"

"Two weeks ago and yes she'll be fine. A few broken bones, cuts and bruising but she's mending nicely."

"Oh thank God!" sighs Kingsley heavily and shakes his head. "Why would anyone want to hurt dear Phoebe?"

The poor guy's emotional reactions concern Christian deeply. " You sound overly worried about a girl you hardly knew. Why is that?"

Before Kingsley has a chance to answer the waitress come back with their order, naturally setting Christian's plate in front of him first. She bats her eyelashes, swivels her hips and leaves.

Kingsley looks down at his plate and blushes, "Mr. Grey I admit I'm fascinated with Phoebe, fascinated by her beauty. She's the most beautiful girl on campus. I've wanted to go over and introduce myself a million times but never had the nerve. I mean, why would she want anything to do with someone like me? So I decided to worship her from afar but not in a sick perverted way. I wanted to protect her, make sure she was never in harms way. I guess I wanted to be her self-appointed bodyguard. Incase she got into trouble or in a bad situation I wouldn't hesitate to help her. I suppose that's why people assumed I was a stalker but I wasn't. I was just making sure she was always safe. I would have done anything for Phoebe but one thing I would NOT have done is hurt her. So when you told me she'd gotten in an accident I kinda took it personal, like I'd let her down by not being there when really needed me. Sounds silly huh, to care that much about a person who doesn't even know you exist."

Christian smiles and takes those words to heart being as they are similar of his feelings for Ana.

With the burgers in hand they all three chomp down. They must have been pretty delicious for Taylor to exclaim and for Christian to nod in agreement, "Fucking good burger!" and sheepishly add "But, not as good as Gail's."

A squeeze of the ketchup bottle, a bite of French fry and Kingsley asks, "So tell me Mr. Grey, what's the connection between me and the accident?"

"The automobile that hit her belongs to you, Kingsley."

Poor fellow nearly chokes on his food. Thank goodness for Taylor and the Heimlich maneuver. "Excuse me?" he coughs extracting a bit of food at the same time. "Is that why you wanted to talk to me? You think I'm the one responsible? Hell, I sold that car three weeks ago prior to moving here, I had no choice! I needed the money to come take care of my ill grandmother. She raised me. She took care of me when I needed her now I'm taking care of her because she needs someone. Sorry, but I'm not your guy! And like I told you before I would never have hurt Phoebe!" Clearly insulted Kingsley doesn't care about lunch any longer, throws his napkin on the table and gets up to leave.

Christian couldn't feel more embarrassed. He grabs Kingsley's jacket and pleas with him something Christian hardly ever has to do. "Then help us find out who did."

He agrees feeling it's the least he can do for Phoebe. Taking a seat he goes on to give Christian and Taylor as much info as he knows. "I sold the car to a guy named Darryl Ellis. Young guy like me, kinda Jersey accent. Paid cash for it which blew me away but I was in no position to refuse."

"How much did he give you for it?" asks Christian, taking a forkful of the apple pie.

Taylor takes a forkful too. He devours every last crumb on the plate but still claims it was not as good as Gail's!

"About ten grand which also blew me away mainly because I don't think the car was worth that much. But he wouldn't argue. I felt bad because in my mind I took advantage of the guy but like I said…"

Christian nods understanding his predicament. Taylor grabs his Blackberry to request a background check on Darryl Ellis.

"Mr. Grey, Mr. Taylor, I think, no, I'm certain that the name Darryl Ellis was an alias. I've done some research of my own and every Darryl Ellis I've come up with the picture doesn't match up. I guess that's why the car was still in my name. I could kill myself now for being so hasty."

This 'dead end' did much to fuel Christian's ire. How he manages to keep from pounding a hole in the table is a mystery! "Could you recognize this man again?"

"Sure. Tall guy, buzz cut hair, has a scar on his chin, a piercing on his right eyebrow and a strange looking tattoo on his neck. Like maybe I don't know, gang affiliated? That's all I can tell you." He glances at his watch, " Sorry Mr. Grey but I have to go. Got to check up on my Grandmother. If I can be of any more help I'm more than happy to. In fact I want to. I want you to catch the asshole that did this to Phoebe just as much as you do!"

Christian admires Kinsley's passionate determination. "Then consider yourself part of the team. We'll be sure to keep you informed and don't worry, you've given us some good info to work with. Oh as far as your grandmother's medical expenses are concerned, they're all paid for."

Poor stupefied Kingsley doesn't know what to say. A hard lump forms in his throat; he tries to hold back tears. "Thank you Mr. Grey, that so generous of you. You're a kind man with a huge heart. It's been a pleasure to meet you. And you as well Mr. Taylor. I must be off now. Please, she won't know who I am or care but give Phoebe my best. I hope she gets better quickly."

Kingsley starts to walk away but suddenly stops. "Before I forget, you probably already have this information but in case you don't here's my phone number and email address." Taylor can't help but suppress a chuckle since he's right: they have that information already.

As soon as young Mr. Bennett left the restaurant Christian turned to Taylor for trusted advise. "What do you think? Do you think we can trust him?"

"I don't see why not, sir. He strikes me as an upstanding honest dude. I like him. I wish my Sophie had met a guy like him instead of the jerk she's dating now. Talk about an asshole!"

"Me too." Christian puts his hands in his pockets and gives Taylor a questioning look, "Taylor, was it my imagination or did he look like he should have been carrying a wand?"

"No sir, I got the same impression."

"Hmp. Well we should be getting back to Seattle." Suggested Christian, as they walked to the rented Audi R8, "We have our own mystery to solve."

Phoebe didn't discover anything this time but Christian and Taylor did: a person isn't always who you think they are. And Kingsley Bennett proved that point… or is he?

Another A/N: Thank you for your comments. They mean a lot to me.