Chapter 18: Prison Break
"NO!" William shouted. "How on earth could the police have allowed that to happen?"
Richard had just phoned him to tell him that George Wickham had be released on bail. Despite his bail being set astronomically high to prevent this happening; a lawyer had walked in, paid it and secured his release. He had had to surrender his passport but that did not mean anything for people like Wickham, he would have a new passport in days.
"Due process was followed, there was little they could do.
It had been two days since Elizabeth had been at his house and they had been discussing Georgina's birthday party, and the ring.
"We need to warn the Bennett's, the Kings and Anne, we really need to talk to Anne and if nothing else establish the authenticity of the ring. If it is your mothers ring, there is more evidence against Wickham when we go to court, we could even get him rearrested. His lawyer will know where to find him, one would hope." William had told Richard the previous evening about Anne and the ring, Richard knew there was more to the story than William had let on, but it was not the time to be teasing his cousin.
"You are right, I will contact Elizabeth and perhaps you can contact William Lucas, he can talk to Lisa King and her uncle, she works for him after all, it would make it easier. Why don't you come over here and we can go through to see Anne." William did not see any reason to delay speaking to his cousin, he had given the matter a lot of though, he and Richard had both realised that Anne de Bourgh was not on the register of girls to be sold, they both doubted that George had any feelings for Anne, he had no time for her when they were growing up, he did not even bother to tease her like he did Georgiana or Henriette, Richards sister.
After ending the call with Richard, William went and found the Reynolds, explaining to the husband-and-wife team that Georgiana was not to leave their sight for a moment, Wickham would be desperate now and there was no telling what he was capable of.
Then he made the call he really did not want to make, informing Elizabeth that Wickham was at large.
"The Light Fandango, Elizabeth Bennet speaking" her voice was lovely over the phone.
"Morning Elizabeth, its William Darcy here, how are you?" He felt so lame being so formal. Why was he like this around her?
"Hey William, I am good, how are you?" she seemed happy to hear from him, well sort of.
"I am fine but I am the bearer of bad news this morning. George Wickham has been released on bail." He was not going to mess around with small talk. "You and your sisters are going have to be really vigilant. In fact, if you do not mind, we would like to put a security detail in place for you, that way you will be able to go about your lives more or less the same?'
"Oh…" the dismay in her voice was so tangible, "After what happened to Lydia, we would be stupid to turn down a security detail, wont that cost a lot of money?"
"Do not worry about that, it will be covered in our costs with William Lucas. Richard will hand select the people who will be watching you. I would suggest incorporating them into your day to day activities, they can be a lot more effective that way." He really wanted to keep her, and her sisters, safe.
"Oh, I was not expecting that, you can't pay for it, we will find a way." She said stubbornly, a rush of affection? No, appreciation washed over him. It must be appreciation.
"If my family had dealt with George Wickham back in the day, the proper way, he would not be around to cause this kind of trouble for your family or anyone else. For this reason, I must insist on bearing the costs. "He could be just as stubborn.
There was a slight pause, and just as he was about to fill the silence.
"There is something I must tell you" Elizabeth said, her voice dropping in tone and volume. "After I left your house the other night, I was followed. And I know that sounds paranoid, but I did check. I did a couple of unnecessary turns and back tracked on myself a few times and whoever it was, did not know the area well enough to realise, or they were not too clever. I ended up going to Charlottes place so that they could not follow me home. I hope I did not endanger Charlotte as well!" The thought suddenly hit her as she was talking to him. What if they went for Charlotte.
"Richard has already thought of that, as William Lucas's daughter, she and her sister will also have to have security on them, Richard is discussing this with their father as we speak." William reassured her. "Did you get a make, registration, anything?" he asked her.
"Only that it was white, the thing is I did think I was being followed when I was driving to you, by a black car but then it turned off and the car behind me was white, so I did not think anything of it, and when I stopped at your gate it drove right past without slowing. It could have bene the same car that followed me later, but I was so relieved when the black car turned off, I did not pay attention to the white car. But it was dark by that time so I could not see much other than its headlights and was so relieved to get to Charlottes I did not think to pay attention as it drove passed, even though it slowed down. I will ask Charlotte if she saw anything that can help." Elizabeth felt stressed but at the same time relieved to be talking to William about the incident. She and Charlotte just had some tea and went to bed, both expressing their relief that she was safe.
"Richard and I are going to see Anne in a short while, I am worried about her as well, we don't know how desperate Wickham is right now and there is no telling what he is going to do next. Either Richard or William Lucas will be in touch regarding the security detail. Please speak to your sisters, it is important that they understand the danger they are in. I would hate for anything to happen to you or them because of this." William wanted to rush over and guard her himself, but he knew well enough that he did not have the skills and right now he might be a homing beacon for Wickham who knew he and Richard were involved in his arrest.
"I will, after seeing Lydia, I think we are all aware of what can happen, and what kind of a man he is but again, you are right we do not know what he is going to do next. Will you have protection for you and your sister? "She seemed to have read his mind.
"Georgiana already had twenty-four-hour protection, simple because George Wickham breaths, and I will be with Richard so we will be okay, just make sure you are. I will be in touch later tonight if you don't mind?" He wanted her to know that he was there for her.
'That would be nice, I hope it goes well with Anne." With that they said goodbye and hung up.
William started to pace as he waited for Richard to arrive. He was not joking about Georgina, he had engaged two more people to assist the Reynolds, both posing as household help and under the guidance of the Reynolds.
It seemed like eternity, but Richard arrived an hour later, having spoken with William Lucas about a security detail for the Bennett girls, Mary King, and his own daughters. As they drove to Anne's, Richard updated William on the plans that had been set in motion. A team of six would be deployed to the Bennet girls, one man and five women, each Bennet girl would be brief as to how to introduce their security detail under the guise of visiting friends or family. Mary King and her uncle had chosen to leave town, well the country in fact, her uncle felt a fresh start for them would be the best all round. William Lucas had arranged to move Maria to the apartment in town and set her up to work remotely.