Secrets from the past - Grace's POV 4

The day after my emotional and very disturbing encounter with Ms.X, my husband Carrick called to me from the drawing room, where he was sitting. I stopped what I was doing and went to see what he wanted. As I walked in, I saw him standing by the tall window overlooking the garden and the Boathouse. I embraced him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He turned around and looked at me with serious blue-grey eyes. “What is it, darling? “I asked. 
"Come and sit down, sweetheart, I need to tell you about something that happened in my office this afternoon. I will keep it brief, but I wanted you to know, who walked into my office earlier on."
My heart hitched. I had a foreboading, that it must have been "Her".

I squeeze Carrick's hand and leaned forward to pour him a "JD" to calm him down, he seemed quite emotional. I had never seen him like that before, not even when Charlie Tango went. Missing and Christian's whereabouts were unknown for a number of hours. After taking a generous sip from his glass, he continued to talk, holding on to his tumbler as if it gave him strength to repeating his conversation with 'her'. 
"Ms. Atkins, I do not quite follow you; why exactly are you here? Do you have something to tell me about your son Christopher and who his father is?"
Carrick then described how her dark eyes filled with tears and she moved nervously in her chair. Looking straight at him, she started to talk again in that low, husky voice of hers: "I was told to come here and state that your son Christian Trevelyan-Grey is the father of Christopher. 
But I can't go through with that lie, because I know, he is not."
Carrick continued:" I nearly leapt to my feet with rage, how dare she make these accusations? 
Realizing what she just had said, I sight with relieve, thank goodness, it was not my son. Finding.my composure again, I spoke to her as calmly as I could: "If my son is not the father of your son Christopher, then who on earth is it?" 

They're happiness can't be disturbed

Carrick replaced the tumbler, which he had cradled in his hands for the whole time he was talking, back onto the side table. 
A sharp intake of breath was released from his lungs as he slummed back into the seat, obviously relieved, that he had finished talking about his harrowing encounter with Ms.X, now known to be Ms. Debbie Atkins. 
Neither of us spoke another word for what seemed to be an eternity. 
The skies over Seattle had darkened, storm clouds were gathering on the far horizon, signs, that nature would unleash its powers very soon. 
My heart was heavy with worries and unwelcome thoughts about the future, how Christian and Ana would receive the news about this claim by Debbie Atkins. 
Although she had already admitted, that Christian was not the father of Christopher, and a minute doubt remained. 
Who was that, as yet unknown, halfbrother of hers? 
What was his name? 
A quick glance at the clock on the wall told me, it was late afternoon; Carrick had talked to me for over two hours about his meeting with "Her". 
When I turned my head towards him, he sat with his eyes closed, breathing evenly and peacefully; my darling husband had drifted off to sleep. 
I picked up the plaid from the arm of the settee and placed it gently over him to keep him warm and cozy. Smiling at him sleeping like a baby, I got up and went to the kitchen in order to prepare our evening meal. 
Tomorrow is another day- I thought to myself; the search for Ms. Atkins's half-brother will begin in earnest.

My soon has suffered enough. He deserves to be happy

The next day started with a visit by Welch and Sawyer. Carrick contacted them the night before and asked for their help. After they entered they disappeared into his office. 
I would have given anything to know what they were talking about. 
After a good hour or so, they emerged; Welch turned to me and said: "Mrs. Grey, ma’am, Sawyer and I will drive down to the marina and try to locate that half brother of Ms. Atkins. We believe, we know what he looks like from police mug shots; he has been previously charged with narcotic offences."
Carrick came over and put his arm around my shoulders. "It will be alright, Grace," he said. "Welch and Sawyer know what they are doing". 
The two men nodded politely in our direction and left the house. 
After hours of waiting for some news, Welch called Carrick on his cell phone. 
My husband listened attentively and after a few minutes finished the call. 
I looked at him expectantly:" Grace, you must know what has happened”, he said. 
"Welch informed me, that the man in question had indeed worked at the shipyard for a number of months, he seems to be s drifter, moving about a lot. 
But he left there a couple of weeks ago and no one knows where he has gone. 
It is possible, that he might look for work at the hospital, where you work. He mentioned it to a co-worker at the yard. 
Taylor will arrange arrange additional security details and observe the hospital from now on. I want you to safe at all times, my love. Promise me, you will not do anything at all without checking with any of the details first. There isva likelihood that the man will try to infiltrate the place as a porter or kitchen help in order to gain access to you somehow."
"What is his name?” I asked with a trembling voice. 
"Antonio Mendossa", he said quietly, "he calls himself 'Tony'."