A.N. Thank you, Happy Lizzy, Joan, liysyl, Nanciellen, Colleen for commenting. You've made my day. As usual, this is unbeta'd. Please bear with me for any mistakes. You will have some answers in this chapter. Happy reading! Do remember to review! Thank you.


Chapter 23

"Please, ladies, we should not let our imagination run rampant. It is entirely not possible for Collins to arrange such a lackey in 1811."

"Why not?" Elizabeth said.

"If Collins were going to know about Miss Elizabeth knocking him unconscious and leaving him to be killed, why would he still go near Oakham Mount?"

The two ladies looked at each other and nodded. But Lucy still wanted to make sure. She speculated, "What if Collins could not prevent his fate from happening?"

"Then what is the point of sending Miss Carlina to 2009, if he knew he would still die?"

"What if it was Miss Carlina's descendants beyond 2009 who sent her here?" Elizabeth murmured.

Darcy considered that for a moment. "That is a more probable possibility. If Miss Carlina was sent by Mr. Collins's descendent from another future further than 2009, it could explain why she dressed in such an outlandish manner. She would also have known about the Deputy Police Chief's relationship with us. But if her purpose of appearing in 2009 were to kill Miss Elizabeth, she would not have prevented Collins's murder. As you, Miss Elizabeth, is the 1812 one, not the 1811 Miss Elizabeth. Collins was already dead. Miss Carlina's mission could only be revenge for Collins's descendent."

Lucy and Elizabeth nodded. The three of them discussed several scenarios until they decided to retire for the night. Darcy offered to sleep on the floor outside the room to protect the ladies. Lucy said she would return to her room but Elizabeth did not want Lucy to be alone, in case Lucy was the real target of the evildoers. In the end, they agreed for Lucy and Elizabeth to sleep in the bed with Mr. Darcy on the floor in the same bedroom. It was not proper, in Darcy's view, but they all felt more reassured of their safety, by staying together.

After a fretful night, the three time-travellers woke up and went downstairs to break their fast. Lucy told Elizabeth about the condition of her dare with God Janus. This reassured Elizabeth about going back to the past in time to help Mary. Darcy and Elizabeth then concentrated on reading about the fingerprinting method from the mobile telephone while Lucy explored the museum.

"I wonder why there is nothing in the display that talked about Mr. Darcy and my life. Not to sound egoistic, I would have thought a museum about the Foundation established by Edward Darcy and I would have something about us." Lucy murmured after she completed a brief look around the display in the museum.

"You want to know when you die?" Elizabeth arched her brows. "I prefer not to know about it."

"I do not really want to know about it either. But it will be interesting to see what I will be doing in the next few years. I can then save my effort to decide what I should do."

"I do not think it is good to know too much about the future," Darcy joined in the discussion. "It will make us too fatalistic."

The three travelers continued the philosophical debate until they heard the sound of the front door and Hannah's voice announcing her presence. What they did not expect was the Deputy Police Chief in casual clothes, with his arms wrapping around Hannah's waist.

Darcy and Elizabeth were too polite to comment on the situation but Lucy had no qualm in doing that. "Oh, I see that you have right the wrong and kick your scandalized former girlfriend out and grovel before Hannah. Well done, Joe!"

The Deputy Chief grinned in a silly manner. Elizabeth, therefore, added, "you must not give in to Mr. Fitzwilliam's requests too quickly, Miss Hannah. That will teach him to be humble in the future."

"Perhaps we should all sit down," Darcy said.

"Too late for the advice, Lizzy! Hannah has bowed to my demand already. It's good that you had breakfast and dressed. We don't need to wait. Let's get the show on the road," Joe exclaimed and hurried the time-travellers out of the museum. "I will ring the pilot and my dear Hannah can explain."

"Where are we going?" Lucy asked as they sat inside Joe's car and sped away from D&H Foundation.

"We are getting married at Oberlin today. Joe was supposed to invite the three of you to attend our wedding but it seems he just kidnapped you."

"Oberlin, Ohio? But that was Lucy's birthplace!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Oh, really? I only know that the Miss Lucy Hill, the founder of the D&H Foundation, was born there. I didn't know you were born there too, Lucy. That is great, you can visit your family."

Elizabeth immediately knew she had misspoken. Lucy covered for her mistake by saying, "My family no longer lives there. Congratulations, Hannah!"

Darcy and Elizabeth also offered their congratulations to the newly engaged couple.

"It is nearly 400 miles to Oberlin from D.C. Do we have…are you going to drive there?" Lucy asked, worried about getting back to Rock Creek the next day, in time for the travel back to 1892 and 1812.

"No, Joe's family has a private jet. We will fly there. It will only take an hour and a half."

"Flying…jet…," Elizabeth repeated with wide eyes.

"When did you all come back from Ghana? I assume you did not fancy another flight so soon. But Joe needs to be back at the Police Headquarter tomorrow and I really want my parents to attend the wedding. We think a quick flight is much better than a twelve-hour drive, round trip."

"Why do you wish to get married in such haste?" Darcy asked.

"We have wasted over a year," the Deputy Chief said. "No, I have wasted over a year, by that piece of scum called Carlina. I don't want to waste another minute without Hannah by my side. And Hannah agreed to take pity on me."

Hannah gave a brilliant smile and nodded. "There is no waiting period to get married in Ohio. We have already applied for the marriage license online. We just need to go to the Probate Court Office in person and then we can have our wedding. I talked to my parents last night and this morning. They are arranging a ceremony for us at a hall at Oberlin College. My father is a history professor there. He would be honoured to meet you, he said."

"Don't worry," Joe added. "If you need to leave for London or back to the wildness in Ghana soon, the jet can take you back to D.C. anytime today. The jet is a bit small for the long haul so I'm afraid I can't offer to fly you all the way transatlantic."

Darcy exchanged an anxious look with Elizabeth and Lucy. They nodded reluctantly. The trouble was, Lucy, Elizabeth and he could not express their anxiety about air travel. They were all supposed to have travelled from Ghana or London to attend President Obama's inauguration.

Reading about the invention of airplane was an eye-opener. Darcy had learned from the Internet that it would only take people to fly from Washington to London in about seven hours. He had seen images of airplanes and London in 2009. There were so many tall buildings, cars and people. For one moment, he was envious of the air travelers. But now, even just to fly for about an hour and a half, Darcy was dreading it. Was it safe to be thousands of miles up in the air? He was not impressed by the driverless carriage of Mr. Elders. The so-called 'car' was loud and shaky, like it would break apart any minute.

Joe had quickly introduced his Jeep to him just now. It was more stable and quiet. Darcy hoped the circumstances of the Fitzwilliam family still allowed them to maintain a safe 'carriage in the sky'. Darcy fidgeted with his signet ring and asked the Deputy Chief about Miss Carlina.

Joe tightened his hands on the steering wheel as if he wanted to strangle someone. Hannah squeezed his arm and took up the explanation. "This is strictly confidential as Joe has been taken off the case due to his personal involvement."

The Deputy Chief grumbled as Hannah continued. "We are sure you will not breathe a word about this to anyone. Based on the financial transactions found on the two intruders' cell phones, the major crime team was able to trace them back to Carlina Collins. She was arrested shortly afterwards and her cell phone and computer were torn apart. Joe's IT team worked throughout the night and was able to recover enough deleted files to pierce together her criminal activities."

"It involves children and teenagers like those our Foundation vows to protect?" Darcy speculated.

"Yes. Carlina works with a global pedophile ring and helps those perverts from around the world to access children and teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds in orphanages, group homes, care facilities, etc. Their abuses were also streamed live on the Internet. Unfortunately, her background and connections allow her to access about nine big charity organizations in the country already. Carlina's group has their heart sets on D&H Foundation and it has taken them a year to get this close."

"We are here now," Joe said glumly. "Let us not talk about that woman until after our happy event."

"I do not quite understand what Hannah said about the ring and so on. But it seems the children protected by our Foundation have a lucky escape!" Elizabeth said, as she walked besides Darcy. "Oh, my goodness!" Elizabeth stopped when she saw the plane in front of her. Her feet felt heavy. "Are we really going to get inside that thing and fly up the sky?"

"Let us embrace the adventure!" Lucy joined them. Her enthusiasm made Elizabeth bolder and continued the walk. Darcy had the same trepidation but he vowed to be as courageous and adventurous as Lucy.

In the next two hours, Darcy had the exhilarating experience of flying in the sky, looking down at the clouds, the houses and land on the ground. The feeling embedded in his mind was indescribable. But when he was shown into the hall at Oberlin College and greeted by Hannah's father, a sense of past-life experience erupted. Darcy almost had his breath knocked out of him. "Mr. Paul Fisher!"

~0~

"Colonel Fitzwilliam, my men interviewed the servants and innkeeper at Kings Park Tavern. They did not see any carriage passed by on its way to London five days ago." Sir William said.

"Did I say Darcy go by a carriage? Oh, I must have been too distracted by my worries of Miss Mary. No, Darcy went to London on horseback."

"Colonel, did you delay my investigation deliberately? Did Fitzwilliam Darcy flee Hertfordshire because he is somehow involved with the death of George Wickham?"

"Be careful of your words, Sir William," Richard snared. "My cousin can sue you for slander when he returns. And make up your mind! Why are you holding Miss Mary if you suspect my cousin for Wickham's murder?"

"I am the magistrate and I am the one asking the questions. My daughter told me yesterday Elizabeth Bennet has left Hertfordshire as well. Mr. Bennet spurted out another fanciful story about him sending her to Dover to learn about some skill that would improve Longbourn's yield. Did Elizabeth Bennet abscond with Fitzwilliam Darcy? Did either of them kill George Wickham?"

"I must repeat, make up your mind! Why are you still holding Miss Mary if you suspect my cousin or Miss Elizabeth?"

"Sir William, I must concur with Colonel Fitzwilliam," Lusington said. He had come to Netherfield to give Colonel Fitzwilliam an update earlier. They were in Bingley's study when Sir William requested to see the Colonel. "The evidence to hold Miss Mary for the murder of George Wickham is weak. I suggest you release her and start the investigation properly again. I do not know your reason for re-interviewing Mr. Darcy. But an express sent to London to summon him back can easily be done. The allegations are unnecessary."

"I just need to re-interview Darcy. The fact that he left Hertfordshire without taking his leave already made him suspicious to me. He is rich and arrogant. He can easily ignore my summon and refuse to return."

"Sir, I strongly suggest you reframe from judging the character of witnesses or suspects without facts," Lusington replied. "when you are in your magistrate capacity. It will prejudice the investigation. If Mr. Darcy really refuses to return to Hertfordshire for your interview, I can alert the authority in London to arrest him. You can also contact a London magistrate."

While Richard wanted to applaud Lusington chastising the infuriating Sir William, he was sweating for Darcy. He had put out a story about Darcy returning to London on urgent business. The Colonel had sent off two expresses to Darcy House in London and Pemberley, urging the trusted housekeepers to send any men of authority on a wild goose chase. He was thinking of Sir Williams then, not the sharp-minded Lushington. The Colonel took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his browse as he heard a knock on the door. He was happy for the interruption.

"Mr. Darcy asked to join the meeting, Sir!" The footman said. Richard nearly leaped out of the chair with joy and relief. But he told himself to stay calm and bid the footman show Darcy in.

"Darcy! I thought you are still tied up with your business in London." Richard exclaimed, giving his cousin enough warning about the story he had circulated to cover for Darcy's abrupt disappearance five days ago. He stared at his cousin. Besides the dust on his clothes, Darcy looked to be in good health. He even appeared surprisingly happy and excited.

"All has been taken care of, Colonel," Darcy then turned to Sir William. "Sir, I believe you asked to interview me again."

"Yes, I..I need to consult my notes first," Sir William stammered, surprised by Darcy's sudden appearance. He signaled for Manders to check on the notes. Sir William did not, in fact, wanted to interview Darcy again but the magistrate believed something was not right for the arrogant man from the North and the impertinent Lizzy to be gone from Hertfordshire at a similar time. He had come to Netherfield, hoping to shake the smiling Charles Bingley up to nail Darcy or the Bennet girl for the two murders. But Bingley was not there, blast it! Instead, he was confronted with not only Colonel Fitzwilliam but the sharp-witted Lusington.

"No matter," Darcy said. "I have some news to relate, regarding the death of William Collins at Oakham Mount."

"Really," Sir William sat up again. He suspected Elizabeth Bennet on that but never managed to find enough evidence to support his speculation. He heard that Darcy was sweet with her. He believed the arrogant man would do anything to manufacture some evidence to protect his lady love. Sir William would examine it and prove Darcy wrong. He would then have the pleasure of arresting Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy!

"As you know, Sir William, I purchased Oakham Mount about a few months ago for its business opportunity. My men have been scouting and working in the area. They have uncovered a letter down a slope near the 11th o'clock pit."

Darcy fetched the letter from his pocket. Colonel Fitzwilliam saw that it was wrapped in oilskin, similar to the one used by Miss Elizabeth for her letter left in the cave. He narrowed his eyes and stared at Darcy. He hoped Darcy knew what he was doing. Richard knew that Sir William would not wait a moment to pounce if Darcy's story had any inconsistency or hole in it.

Instead of handing the letter to Sir William, Darcy handed it to Lusington.

"I object!" Sir William exclaimed. "Rev. William Collins's death had nothing to do with the military. Lusington has no authority to interfere with my investigation on that."

Lusington had not accepted the letter yet. He waited for Darcy to continue the explanation. "While that is the case, the content of the letter made me doubtful of your impartiality. Therefore, I request Lusington to handle it."

"He was brought to Meryton by your cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam," Sir William argued. His face was bright with anger. How dare Darcy question his character! "How would I know that Lushington can remain objective?"

"Sir William, I resent the allegation. I am a military lawyer. I have only one master and that is the King of England. I cannot be bought or intimidated. As a compromise, I would hold the letter and your man, Manders, can read it aloud."

Sir William was seriously displeased but a look at the physique of the three other opposing men in the room made him nodded reluctantly.

Manders read out the address first, "Pray send this letter to a London magistrate for me, Paul Mitford of The Tickled Trout, Maidstone.

"Mitford, Tickled Trout?" Colonel Fitzwilliam exclaimed. "Is that not where one of the captives of that evil Collins from?"

"Yes," Darcy replied. "It was a letter written by Daisy Mitford's brother."

"How would you know his handwriting?" Sir William grumbled.

"The man said so. But I have also requested Lord Metcalf, the magistrate in Kent, who discovered William Collins's captives, to come to Meryton with Mr. Peter Mitford, the father, to verify it. I expect them to arrive either today or tomorrow."

"What gave you the right to interfere with my investigation?" Sir William complained again. "And to invite a magistrate from another county!"

"Sir William, your confrontational attitude does not advance the matter," Lusington said. "Let us see what Mr. Mitford had said that required Mr. Darcy to request the authority of another magistrate. Manders, pray continue."

Sir William gritted his teeth at Lusington's chastisement in front of Manders. He vowed to take his revenge on these people, by making Mary Bennet confess to George Wickham's murder, with whatever means!

Manders looked at his master and continued hesitantly. "I, Paul Mitford of The Tickled Trout, Maidstone, confess to the murder of William Collins of Kent on the 27th November 1811 at Oakham Mount, Hertfordshire. I told you exactly what happened here:

My sister Daisy went missing months ago. Our Magistrate Lord Metcalf and our good neighbours searched for her, but Daisy cannot be found. She is a good girl. She would not run away. I left my farm work, said goodbye to my brothers and parents, and searched alone.

I followed every man and carriage my parents told me that stopped at our tavern right before Daisy was gone. After months, I found the strange one, William Collins of Hunsford. My parents remembered him. He dressed like a man in trade and got angry with Daisy. I found out he liked whores from the unspeakable alleys and hit them.

I asked more questions around the roads to Hunsford. Collins lookalike was seen. The man got angry and more women were missing and never found.

I arrived at Hunsford, saw him left. I asked and followed him. I arrived at Hertfordshire a few days later than him, saw him left right after hitting a servant girl. Hannah told me her story and why Collins was in Meryton. He boasted to Hannah about marrying the most obedient cousin and using her four sisters as slaves when their father dies.

I needed to find the evil man alone and made him tell me where Daisy is. Two days later, I saw him from afar attacking another woman at Oakham Mount. I ran fast to help, but the gentlewoman did not need me. She hit him back with a rock and fled. She did not see me. Collins had blood, but was not dead.

I worried about the gentlewoman and followed her quietly. She ran across the slope and fell down a pit, before I could reach her. I searched and searched but I could not even find the pit.

I gave up and returned to Collins. He had woken up, crawling on the ground, cursing many women. When he foul-mouthed Daisy, I grabbed his throat, demanded him to tell me where my sister was. He laughed and laughed. He said he would never tell me. Daisy would die for her sin. I shook him hard. Suddenly he had a knife and stabbed my chest. I punched him hard. He hit me back. I twisted the knife from him, stabbed and stabbed until he was truly dead.

I killed a man. God will punish me. I walked slowly to town. I wanted to confess my sin. But I fainted. When I woke up again, Hannah was there. She rescued me and covered my wound. I confessed and asked her to find a magistrate. I lost faith with clergymen.

She told me I better confess to a London magistrate than Sir William Lucas, the current magistrate in Meryton."

"Stop it right there!" Sir William exclaimed and pointed his finger at Darcy. "I do not have to listen to this nonsense anymore. It is pure fabrication. I am sure there is no such Paul Mitford and this letter is all your invention. You are rich enough to hire a forger to write this letter. You intend to help your mistress Elizabeth Bennet off the charge of killing Mr. Collins! She must have fought with Collins and killed him. And you hid her in London for three months earlier before she recovered enough to return to Longbourn!"