100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 83: The Dragon

Present Day, Anna’s Office

Anna’s rouge lips streched into her best seductive smile,

"Mr. Fredricksen, welcome." she greeted, in feign cheerfulness.

Ivan Fredricksen made his way towards the platinum blond and he stretched his hand towards her, Anna accepted it and shook his hand firmly.

Ivan looked down at the woman,

"How are you faring Anna?" he asked, although the expression on his face showed he didn’t really give a damn. He just wanted to get the synthetic pleasantries over with, something Anna appreciated. This was ’business meeting’ afterall.

"Well enough, Ivan. To business then?" the platinum blond proposed, gesturing for Ivan to take a seat in her office lounge.

"Thank you." The blonde replied while Anna sat directly across from him. She offered him refreshments which he declined, saying he wasn’t planning on staying long.

Anna scanned the man’s face, he had a nice set of gray eyes. His chiseled jaw was cleanly shaven, and the way his face was shaped reminded Anna of Sam. They resembled each other closely, yet the shade of their eyes and mane was completely different.

Sam had a calming manner to her, she was neither intimidating nor threatening. However, the platinum blond knew that if the redhead was placed on the spot. She was capable of wreaking havoc like her older sibling.

On the other hand, Ivan was different. He had an edge to him, even in the way he spoke. The danger in him, Anna found slightly alluring. If only she wasn’t married, but then again she’d only make a fool of herself if she even attempts to play her tricks on him. He was too smart of a man to fall to her tricks.

Sam and Ivan really must have grown up separately, Anna thought, as she watched his actions and mannerism. Identifying them to be very posh. Even the way he balled his hand in a relaxed manner made her feel like choking.

She could feel the danger in his sharp eyes, she felt like a dragon was seated opposite her and he could breathe fire any time he pleased.

"Where shall we start?" she asked. Ivan seemed thoughtful, and a fake smile crept on his thin lips. "I propose we start with how you are acquainted with my sister." he offered, getting to business. He had better things to do, after all, he has a billion dollar company to run.

Anna thought for a moment,

"Levi Jackson," she replied both vaguely and directly. That was how she was acquainted, if Levi just didn’t meet her. This meeting would have never happened.

Ivan expelled a sigh, he knows who Levi Jackson was. Since the day his younger sister met him, he had been like a koala stuck on a tree. He remained in her life consistently enough that Ivan had decided to arrange surveillance opposite his flat just in case.

"Of course, it seems like your brother has a knack for trouble," he commented, hinting on Anna and her history together. Levi was the very reason why the two did ’business’ together in the first place, well, the root of it. But that was another story to tell. The story of Jason Murdoch, the famed Media mogul who ’died’ as the news reported 6 years ago. The two had hoped they wouldn’t have to cross paths again, but there they were...forced to play together yet again because of their sibling complexes.

"And as though by fate the two crossed paths and they refused to separate," Anna replied dryly, honestly, between the two older siblings, she was far more supportive of the so-called friendship.

Ivan looked unconvinced, and he arched his thick brows. He thought the worst on the platinum blond, she was clever in ways most people weren’t. She was manipulative, conniving and a genius in her own way when it comes to dealing with people, especially men.

She did not hold any official position in the goverment. But her mind and opinion were highly valued by those in power. She was like a puppeteer, strings attached to each of her manicured fingers. Making people move the way she please, worse was she doesn’t need to force anyone. They were all willing to ’help’ her. Always the one to use the damsel in distress approach.

He considered her as much of a threat as any official, and now she was married to the man leading the British secret service. The inside knowledge she could use to get her way more. As if she wasn’t dangerous enough before, she was now partnered with the best strategist in the country Taylor Ryan.

Together, they were the power couple.

One, who was an expert with seduction and emotional manipulation. Her husband, a clever strategist. Valued by both the crown and the Prime minister for his expertise and genius.

Taylor Ryan, not much is known about him. Only that he is a quiet soft-spoken man, with a calm manner to him. The sort of man who can greet his enemies with a genuine smile on his face, always collected and never frazzled. And always, always a few steps ahead.

.... 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Ivan scoffed, "Have you tried? To separate them?" he challenged Anna.

Anna expelled and exaggerated sigh,

"I did warn Levi not to involve himself with your sister." She answered, admittedly she didn’t try hard enough if she was honest. She needed that connection...something to have over the CEO’s head. Who knows when she’ll need a favor from him. She believed it’s never too early to gather allies.

Ivan snorted at her attempt of a lie,

"Of course, you didn’t actively disagree with the friendship. It is after all in your advantage, a little piece in your game is it, Ms. Jackson?"

"It’s Mrs. Ryan now." she corrected.

"Yes, I’m aware. Congratulations by the way. How is Taylor doing? " Ivan spat in sarcasm.

Anna crossed her legs, leaning back against the chair.

"He’s as he was before. Busy," she said vaguely.

Her husband was out of the country dealing with some international issues.

"You do not know Levi, he is absolutely stubborn. Telling him not to do something will make him want to do it more. And I do not know what you mean." Anna lied through his teeth, earning a smile from Ivan.

"You will be the last person I’d consider to ’not know’ what anyone means, Anna," he said. His eyes narrowed at her dangerously, but she did not flinch. If she could deal with her husband, she could deal with Ivan. They were too much alike.

"You took her under your wing." he accused, knowing full well the older Jackson made an active effort to be involved with his sister.

Anna rolled her eyes,

"A couple of jobs isn’t something I would consider taking underwing." she disagreed. She had simply hired the redhead as per her husband’s request, all for official business.

Ivan crossed his legs, leaning back.

"You do know how I feel when my sister is used against me. Something I am certain you are very familiar with, Anna." the blond man warned, insinuating on Jason Murdoch.

Anna raised her chin, eyes narrowed at the blond. "I am very aware of the feeling," she confessed, her tone held an edge to it. She was serious.

Ivan nodded satisfied with her answer.

"I am well aware of your secret meetings, and the deals you are making with her. Be it my help or favor in the future, so be it. I respect anyone my picky sister befriends." Ivan says standing up. He buttoned his suit jacket and looked down at Anna.

His eyes darkened, "Just know that unlike you, Anna. I have no animosity towards eliminating or destroying anything; be it countries, crowns, the innocent when it comes to protecting Family." he warned. Hinting on destruction if the need arose.

Anna looked back to his gray eyes with as much certainty,

"I am well aware of it." she agreed, she knew the things that man seated before her had done. The lives he took, the people he destroyed.

The things he’d done can’t be proven of course, but when there is smoke, there is fire. Like Smaug protecting its gold, no one is safe.

Threaten any of it, be ready to burn.

"I will make a deal with you as well, Anna." Ivan proposed. Anna watched him from her seat, waiting for him to continue.

"Keep my sister safe no matter what on my behalf, and consider your brother Levi Knight Jackson, away from harm’s way. Do that, and even Death himself won’t be able to touch him." Ivan swore, a smile on his lips as he offered his hand to the older Jackson.

Anna stood up, took his hand in hers, and said, "You have misjudged me, Ivan. I may not burn countries and crowns to protect my siblings. But do know, I have no animosity slaying Dragons for him."

There was a pause, while the two sized up one another still holding each other’s hand. A newly found respect, Ivan smiled, genuinely, and gripped her hand firmly. She was a worthy opponent, better than most men he had faced.

"We have a deal then," Ivan said. He left shortly after, leaving Anna alone in the office.

She took his phone on her table and pressed it against her ear.

"Dr. Gray, your brother just came by for a chat." There was a reply on the other line.

"He basically threatened the whole country, nothing to be surprised about." Anna sassed, ending the call after.

She poured herself a glass of bourbon, and looking out at the view of the Parliament, she drank pondering.

I do hope this plan works, Samantha.

Or I would have two-man to answer to;

your Brother...

and Mine.