Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades 3) - Chapter 122

“In the end I – I took him down.”

Clark’s eyebrows rise in surprise. “Took him down?”

“My father is ex-army. Hyde . . . um, touched me, and I know how to defend myself.”

Christian glances at me with a brief look of pride.

“I see.” Clark leans back on the sofa, sighing heavily.

“Have you spoken to any of Hyde’s former PAs?” Christian asks, almost genially.

“Yes, we have. But the truth is we can’t get any of his assistants to talk to us. They all say he was an exemplary boss, even though none of them lasted more than three months.”

“We’ve had that problem, too,” Christian murmurs.

Oh? I gape at Christian, as does Detective Clark.

“My security chief. He’s interviewed Hyde’s past five PAs.”

“And why’s that?”

Christian gives him a steely glare. “Because my wife worked for him, and I run security checks on anyone my wife works with.”

Detective Clark flushes. I shrug apologetically at him with a welcome-to-my-world smile.

“I see,” Clark murmurs. “I think there’s more to this than meets the eye, Mr. Grey. We are conducting a more thorough search of his apartment tomorrow, so maybe something will present itself then. Though by all accounts he hasn’t lived there for some time.”

“You’ve searched already?”

“Yes. We’re doing it again. A fingertip search this time.”

“You’ve still not charged him with the attempted murder of Ros Bailey and myself?” Christian says softly.

What?

“We’re hoping to find more evidence in regard to the sabotage of your aircraft, Mr. Grey. We need more than a partial print, and while he’s in custody we can build a case.”

“Is this all you came down here for?”

Clark bristles. “Yes, Mr. Grey, it is, unless you’ve had any further thoughts about the note?”

Note? Which note?

“No. I told you. It means nothing to me.” Christian cannot hide his irritation. “And I don’t see why we couldn’t have done this over the phone.”

“I think I told you I prefer a hands-on approach. And I’m visiting my greataunt who lives in Portland – two birds . . . one stone.” Clark remains stony faced and unfazed by my husband’s bad temper.

“Well, if we’re all done, I have work to attend to.” Christian stands and Detective Clark follows his cue.

“Thank you for your time, Mrs. Grey,” he says politely. I nod.

“Mr. Grey.” Christian opens the door, and Detective Clark leaves. I sag into the sofa.

“Can you believe that ass**le?” Christian explodes.

“Clark?”

“No. That f**ker, Hyde.”

“No, I can’t.”

“What’s his f**king game?” Christian whispers through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know. Do you think Clark believed me?”

“Of course he did. He knows Hyde is a f**ked-up ass**le.”

“You’re very sweary.”

“Sweary?” Christian smirks. “Is that a word?”

“It is now.”

Unexpectedly he grins and sits down beside me, pulling me into his arms.

“Don’t think about that f**ker. Let’s go see your dad and try to talk about the move tomorrow.”

“He was adamant that he wanted to stay in Portland and not be a bother.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

“I want to travel with him.”

Christian gazes at me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to say no. “Okay. I’ll come, too. Sawyer and Taylor can take the cars. I’ll let Sawyer drive your R8 tonight.”

The following day Ray is examining his new surroundings – an airy, light, room in the rehabilitation center of the Northwest Hospital in Seattle. It’s noon, and he looks sleepy. The journey, via helicopter no less, has exhausted him.

“Tell Christian I appreciate this,” he says quietly.

“You can tell him yourself. He’ll be along this evening.”

“Aren’t you going to go to work?”

“Probably. I just want to make sure you’re settled in here.”

“You get along. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“I like worrying about you. ”

My BlackBerry buzzes. I check the number – it’s not one I recognize.

“You going to answer that?” Ray asks.

“No. I don’t know who it is. The voice mail can take it for me. I bought you some magazines.” I indicate the pile of sporting periodicals on his bedside table.

“Thanks, Annie.”

“You’re tired, aren’t you?”

He nods.

“I’ll let you get some sleep.” I lean over and kiss his forehead.

“Laters, Daddy,” I murmur.

“I’ll see you later, honey. And thank you.” Ray reaches out and catches my hand, squeezing it gently. “I like that you call me daddy. Takes me back.”

Oh, Daddy. I return his squeeze.

As I head out of the main doors toward the SUV where Sawyer is waiting, I hear my name being called.

“Mrs. Grey! Mrs. Grey!”

Turning, I see Dr. Greene hurry toward me, looking her usual immaculate self, if a little flustered.

“Mrs. Grey, how are you? Did you get my message? I called earlier.”

“No.” My scalp prickles.

“Well, I was wondering why you’d cancelled four appointments.”

Four appointments? I gape at her. I’ve missed four appointments!

How?

“Perhaps we should talk about this in my office. I was going out for lunch – do you have time right now?”

I nod meekly. “Sure. I . . .” Words fail me. I’ve missed four appointments? I’m late for my shot. Shit. I follow her in a daze back into the hospital and up to her office. How did I miss four appointments? I vaguely remember one being moved – Hannah mentioned it – but four? How could I miss four?