Chapter 9:

Jason Taylor was very amused by the morning newspapers that ran with the most scandalous story of the year. On the front page was a full colored photograph of Elena Lincoln, dressed in her usual black being escorted to court by the Police. She had found someone to post her million dollar bail, but he knew that it wasn't his boss. If Grey had done such a thing, Taylor would have quit without a two weeks' notice! He placed the paper on the island counter where Mr. Grey would have his breakfast and pressed it nice and flat.

"Good Morning, Mr. Grey." Taylor said with a nod. "Gail had a very early morning doctor's appointment, however she left you a very nice breakfast. May I serve it, sir?"

"Yes, yes, that will be great. Thanks Taylor." Christian took his seat and picked up the paper. The blonde witch stared at him from the paper and he wondered when she would point the finger at him. So far, his name had been omitted from the papers with only a small blip that Mrs. Lincoln had been friends with the Grey Family but that relationship had been severed many months ago. No reason was given, however the gossip rags alluded that Dr. Grey did not trust the femme fatale around her husband. Elena's ex-husband hinted that many a high society wife did not like her and she was pushed off many charity boards and her membership at the Country Club had been nullified. She was persona non gratia among Seattle's Elite!

"She doesn't photograph well when she is pissed off." Christian said lowly.

"Evil never does, Sir." Taylor placed the plate of food that Gail had made before his boss and poured the man's orange juice and coffee. "Is there anything else, Sir?"

"Pour yourself a cup of coffee, Taylor and join me."

Taylor was shocked. He stood in front of his boss not moving.

"Jason, get yourself a cup of coffee and join me."

"Yes, Sir."

The men sat quietly as they drank their coffee. Christian read through the financial section while Taylor read the sports section that his boss had offered him.

"Did my mother have anything to do with Elena's arrest?" Christian finally asked breaking the silence.

"She had everything to do with Mrs. Lincoln's arrest." Taylor lowly said. "She was the one who gave us the heads up to protect ourselves with backdating papers and cutting all ties." Taylor put the sports section down. "Sir, may I make one more suggestion?"

"Yes, go on."

"The room upstairs." Taylor's dark brown eyes lifted toward the ceiling then settled back on his employer. "We need to dismantle it just in case Mrs. Lincoln points a finger your way." Christian nodded agreement, but Taylor knew that Christian was not happy about it. "I will get right on it today."

"And, the other woman in my life?"

"Miss Steele is still in Italy, but is scheduled to return to England either today or tomorrow."

Christian sighed heavily thinking about Ana. She left soon after she ended her engagement with the actor. He never got the chance to talk to her or even see her. She had lunch with his sister, went and visited with her father then she left for England. "I won't be going into the office today. I'll be at my parents for the rest of the day."

"Yes, sir. I will have Reynolds drive you."

Christian only nodded. His mind was still on Ana. He could see her walking along the stone streets of some quaint Italian village with the sunshine dancing off her dark curls. She would be wearing a flowing dress that would make her look like an angel in flight. She would be smiling and dancing about him, teasing him…and ringing. Ringing? What the hell? Christian realized that his cell was ringing. He pressed answer. "Grey."

"Christian, you have to help me! I need money and a way out of the country." A desperate voice furiously whispered.

"Who is this?" Christian demanded. He knew who it was.

"Christian, you damn well know who this is. Now, I need money and a jet."

"Mrs. Lincoln, why in the world would I break the law and risk jail for you?"

"You owe me! I made you, Christian! It's because of me that you sit up there in your glass tower and have billions to play with. I taught you everything you know."

"Really? Did you teach me to read a spreadsheet? Was that between whipping me and caning me?" His voice got deeper. "Did you stay up all night researching and working out strategy on how to take over a company? Did you teach me how to negotiate contracts? Lady, I don't owe you a fucking thing!"

"Christian, don't make me do something that you will regret."

"Goodbye, Elena." He tapped the end button and dropped his phone on the counter. "Taylor, that room needs to be dismantled ASAP!"

Christian always prided himself about the ability to read people and predict their next move. It served him well in business and he wished to hell that he had used it against Elena Lincoln years ago. However, that was water under the bridge and he figured he had a few hours before Seattle's finest would be knocking on his door once again asking questions about his involvement with the notorious Mrs. Lincoln. Taylor was taking care of the dismantling and was already in the process when Christian left with Reynolds for his parent's home in Bellevue where Christian suspected he would be approached by law enforcement to reconcile whatever Mrs. Lincoln had informed them.

Carrick and Christian were discussing business in Carrick's home office when the housekeeper informed them that the lead detective on the Lincoln case was wanting to meet with them for a follow-up interview. Carrick stood and put on his suit coat and buttoned it, ready to go to battle for his son. He told Gretchen to show the good detective in.

"Mr. Grey." The detective said offering his hand to the older Grey. He turned toward the handsome copper-haired man. "And, Mr. Grey." Once again offering his hand. "I am sorry to bother you on this matter, however I have a few follow-up questions that I need to ask."

"Please, Detective Werman, have a seat. Can I offer you some coffee?"

"No, no, I'm fine." Derrick Werman was a distinguished member of the Seattle Police Department with almost thirty years of service on the badge. "But, thank you, for the offer." He sat in the offered chair and unbuttoned his suit jacket. "Mr. Grey, you are free to answer these questions or not. You are not a suspect in this case."

"Detective, which Mr. Grey are you inferring too?" Carrick asked as he sat behind his desk. "Both, my son and I know Mrs. Elena Lincoln socially."

"Yes, I know." Werman fumbled in his inside jacket pocket and found his notebook. He flipped it open. "Christian Grey, you loaned Elena Lincoln the capital to start her beauty salon business, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct, and that is also public knowledge." Christian said with a shrug. "I've been known to have a benevolent side to help others help themselves."

Werman smiled as he made his notes. "Yes, I am fully aware of your charitable endeavors which are very impressive. Mr. Grey, are you a member of "El Dolor"?"

"No, I am not." Christian said sternly.

"Did you bankroll this business for Mrs. Lincoln?"

"No, sir, I did not. I didn't know this establishment existed until it was reported in the papers as being raided."

"So, you had no idea that Mrs. Lincoln, a woman that you had loaned money to years ago had this as a side business? It has been told to me that you and Mrs. Lincoln had a very close business relationship and that you met almost weekly for business lunches or dinners. I am also told that Mrs. Lincoln had total access to your apartment at Escala and was very much at home there. Are you and Mrs. Lincoln having an affair?"

"Detective Werman, whether my son is having an affair with anyone is none of your business and has no merit upon this case." Carrick said using that lawyer voice that demanded respect.

"I am just throwing mud at the wall and seeing what will stick, Counselor."

"Mrs. Lincoln was a friend of this family for many years, however, that friendship began to sour when she defaulted on the loan that my son made with her on good faith. I advised him to cut business ties with the woman which he did and all this is public knowledge as well as the severing of social ties with Mrs. Lincoln."

"And, why was that, Mr. Grey? Why did you and your wife suddenly sever social ties with Mrs. Lincoln?"

"Detective, it was made known to my wife and me that Mrs. Elena Lincoln had attempted to seduce a couple of husbands of the ladies that sit on the Coping Together board. Mrs. Lincoln was asked to resign her position in this charity. Our charity has a stellar reputation for being family friendly and we did not want the dark publicity that Mrs. Lincoln could bring if she succeeded in her notorious plans. I also understand that she was asked to resign from other boards and social groups for what I assume is the same reason."

"She was also asked to relinquish her membership at the Seattle Country Club." Christian offered. Christian sat relaxed in the other club chair facing the Detective. "Is there anything else?"

"Mr. Grey, I was given a phone tip that you were in partnership with Mrs. Lincoln at "El Dolor" and that you were about to help her escape out of the country."

"Anonymous tip, I assume." Christian stated with a laugh. "Detective Werman, here I sit before you. Do you honestly think that I would put my life's work in jeopardy for such a person?"

"No, sir, but I had to follow up." The Detective took a deep breath and looked like he was dreading the next question. "We were also informed that you have a sex dungeon in your home and that you keep women chained to the walls there."

Christian had to laugh. "I also sleep suspended wrapped up in my bat wings." He shook his head. "Detective, I don't have women shackled to any wall in my home and I give you permission to search the place. I do, however, have a very finicky household manager that does not like her work disturbed. Mrs. Jones is a very meticulous housekeeper and will not appreciate if you and your men scuff up her floors." Christian pulled his cellphone from his pocket and dialed. After a few rings, Mrs. Jones picked up. "Yes, Mrs. Jones, Detective Derrick Werman will be stopping by … hold on Mrs. Jones …" Christian looked to the Detective. "Time?"

"I would like to do this as soon as possible."

"Mrs. Jones, I would say in about an hour, Detective Werman will be needing access to the apartment." Christian listened carefully as Mrs. Jones was asking questions. "I don't think you will need to fix a light meal. Yes, maybe, a nice glass of ice tea."

"Christian, I think you should accompany the Detective." Carrick offered.

"Okay, Mrs. Jones, I will be there also. Don't fret, I am sure the apartment is presentable. No, you don't need to put out fresh flowers." He smiled and shook his head at the Detective. "Yes, Mrs. Jones, see you very soon."

"She must be very dedicated." The detective stated.

"Very."

"Is she married?"

"She is a widow." Christian stood. He turned to his dad. "Pops, you want to go in case the good Detective here decides to arrest Mrs. Jones for possession of dust bunnies?"

Derrick Werman had to laugh even though he was slightly embarrassed to ask to search Seattle's golden boy's apartment. He long ago believed that he was being sent out on a wild goose chase, but the powers-that-be want this case wrapped up tight with no loose ends. His job was to clear the billionaire and move on with the Lincoln case and make sure that the bitch was incarcerated for a very good long time. "I will meet you at Escala."

"I'll ride with you son, and then catch a ride home with your Mom. She is only working a half-day today since we are leaving this afternoon for Montana."

The Detective took notice of the relaxed chatter between the Greys. This was a close family that didn't seem to be hiding anything. Derrick was a bit jealous that the older Grey was going to Montana to the family cabin for the weekend to relax with his wife and maybe get some fishing in. That kind of fishing was so much more enjoyable than this "phishing" trip trying to tie Christian Grey to a sex club that catered to pedophiles. He was wasting his time and energy!

The Christian Grey lived in a fabulous penthouse that was managed well by a tall, willowy, soft blonde goddess! Werman felt tongue-tied when he spoke to Mrs. Jones. She was a beautiful woman, but she was also all business. She made it known that this was her territory and she would not put up with any tomfoolery from the police. They were permitted to search the apartment without a search warrant, but with only a member of the Grey Staff escorting them. Within thirty minutes, Werman was satisfied. The very elegant and clean penthouse was not the crime scene that the caller had insisted. There was no dungeon, there were no chains embedded in the walls, or women left beaten in a room awaiting to be called back into the "master's" dungeon. This had been a colossal waste of Detective Werman's time! After a few minutes of apologies, the Detective left and Christian was finally able to relax.

"Thank you, Gail … Taylor." He said to his most trusted employees. "How in the hell did you get everything dismantled and hauled out of here?"

"I didn't. It's stored in our residence until we can safely dispose of it. Gail was kind enough to help us clean the room and turn it into a games room. We moved the pool table up here and the ordered the other electronic games from a buddy of mine. He was more than happy to deliver and set up in our time frame for what you paid him. He also put up the televisions so it looked like a sports bar in the middle of your apartment."

"The does explain the red walls, the red leather sofa and the lack of windows." Christian actually liked the room. It would be a great place for Elliot to crash when his flavor-of-the-week was driving him insane and he needed to hide out. Christian looked about the room that once housed his fancy and expensive sex toys and apparatuses. Now it was a man-cave with a bar, bar stools, a poker table, and even beer signs on the wall along with the emblems of Seattle's sports teams. "And, the sub-room?"

"Since it was empty, I just spruced it up a bit with fresh towels and a good cleaning. It's just your average every day guest room." Gail smiled at her young boss, very happy and relieved that he had walked away from his former lifestyle. "I did find a few things that the last one left behind and I put the clothes and shoes in Mia's closet in her room for the time being. I figured the police wouldn't know if they were Mia's or not." She patted her hair down to smooth the unruly waves of her blonde hair. "Should I send them on to Miss Susannah?"

"No, just throw them away." Christian took another look around his man-cave and at the room across the hall. His life as a Dom was over. He had no inkling to return to the lifestyle. Now, he could, in good faith pursue the only woman he had ever loved.