I pulled out my personal tablet to check my communications. There were bunch of messages from school friends, asking how I was, as well as a few last minute rsvps to the wedding. There was a message from Jean Paulhan. I didn't know anyone buy that name, but it seemed familiar to me. I clicked on it.
When O gave up the one thing she had to demonstrate how deep her love was, Sir Steven abandoned her. I would never abandon you; I would give myself for you.
I smiled.
~0~
(Flashback)
"I have to go back," I insisted.
"No, you don't," Eric argued.
"If I run, he gets away with this," I pointed out.
"You get to be safe."
"Your sister will have died for nothing. You will have risked everything for nothing," I said. "Is that what you want?"
"No," he admitted. "But I don't want you to get hurt."
"I don't want to get hurt either, but if I don't go back, he gets away with everything."
Eric look like he wanted to fight me on that, but he knew I was right.
"I could go to jail," he whispered.
"I could be killed," I replied.
"Is that a risk you are willing to take?"
We stared at each other silently for some time.
"I was willing to lose everything to take him down, even before I met you," Eric concluded.
"If you loved someone more than yourself, would you give up the one thing you have to demonstrate how deep your love is?" I asked, repeating to him his own words.
"If it meant letting him go free?"
I nodded.
"Yes," he answered.
"And If it meant nailing the bastard?" I asked.
"That too."
"Then you have to let me go."
(End Flashback)
~0~
As the day of the wedding approached, I became increasingly concerned. I hadn't heard from Maxwell Lee or Clancy since the day of the interview. I was a bit disappointed; at the end of our interview, I'd slipped the keychip Alcide had given Eric into Maxwell's Lee's hand. Between that and the information on the brothel, they should have had enough to uncover the rest. I'd hoped they would make contact and keep me apprised of the situation. I supposed they were busy investigating. I was worried what Dawn and Maudette might tell them... and there was no way to find out without raising suspicion, unless they contacted me first.
I was terrified the truth would bring down my own father by association, but I'd realized Bill was far too dangerous and needed to be stopped. I didn't have any ill will toward Bill's family, and I didn't want them to be hurt as a result of his actions, unless they deserved it, of course. I was also frightened that it would get Eric into trouble, but he'd assured me that his involvement was untraceable; Leif Nordman would take the fall. A connection between Leif and Eric would never be made, since they'd been able to destroy the MSS Sparklehorse video footage.
All I could do was wait and see.
~0~
The morning of the dress rehearsal, it rained. Given that the wedding was supposed to take place in the garden, we were forced to move inside. Mrs. Compton shuffled us into a large space that one would probably describe as a ballroom. We were just taking our places when one of the maids came and knocked on the door, asking for Mr. Compton. Bill's father stepped outside, only to return a moment later with a frown on his face.
"Bill," he said. "There are some gentlemen here to speak to you."
Bill politely excused himself from the proceedings and stepped towards the door. Before he could exit, however, Maxwell Lee and Clancy entered, along with several officers from the Authority.
Maxwell caught my eye and nodded imperceptibly. Clancy winked.
My heart started pounding in my chest, suddenly, I found it difficult to breath.
"Mr. Bill Compton," Maxwell said, stepping toward Bill. "You are under arrest for the conspiracy to abduct and murder Sookie Stackhouse..."
There was a large collective gasp from the attendees of the rehearsal.
"For the trafficking of multi-species for the purposes of prostitution, for the illegal holding of persons against their will, for profiting off illegal prostitution, tax evasion, fraud and for the conspiracy to murder of Pamela Compton..."
The list of accusations against Bill seemed ongoing and endless.
I sat down; Amelia immediately was at my side.
Bill's mother was crying and demanding to know what was going on. His father was standing there, fists closing and opening by his side. His face was ashen. I'd never seen him look so old or defeated, it made me sad.
The officers cuffed Bill. He kept repeating that none of the allegations were true, and was trying to assuage his mother's concerns.
My mother was asking my father repeatedly what was happening. I could see in his face that he wanted to tell her to shut up, but refrained.
Amelia was silent - which was extremely unusual for her.
Lorena looked pensive as she glanced back and forth between Bill and myself. She didn't look at all surprised though.
In that moment, all I felt was relief.
~X~
A/N: a bit rushed, no? I've battled Sookie and Eric on this, but they insisted. (fuck 'em.) Epilogue to follow.