Elsie wished she had somewhere to crawl and hide from this. What must Will think of her family now?
Kat tapped on her phone. “You didn’t mention the marijuana in the car. So, I’ve been Googling vandalism. It’s going to be a felony for sure. It says here if it’s over $400 in damage and maliciously done, she’s screwed.”
“We’ll have to get her a lawyer,” their mother screeched, pacing around the room. “We have to post bail and get her out of there right now. Think of the dangerous criminals she might be sharing a cell with.”
Jane walked in, and Elsie moved over, making room for her on the couch while they filled Jane in on what they knew.
And the more they talked, the more Elsie dreaded what she knew would have to be done. Someone would have to go to L.A. and fetch Lydia. And someone needed to apologize to Will and try to repay him. The thought made her want to vomit because she knew it would have to be her.
Jane squeezed her hand. “I know what you’re thinking, Elsie Bennet. We’ll take care of this together.”
“Okay.”
***
Gianna stared and stared at the video surveillance they were about to hand over to the police. An officer was supposed to stop by for it soon, now that they had suspects they’d arrested and could compare to the video. He wasn’t surprised to hear they’d found Jeff. But Lydia Bennet? It hadn’t taken long for him to drag her down.
“I’m sorry, Will. This is my fault.”
Will’s head whipped around. “Gianna, how is it your fault?”
“This is Jeff getting back at us for putting him in jail. And it could have easily been me driving that night. I could be the one with my license revoked.”
“Gianna.” Will bent down to look her in the eyes. “Jeff is an idiot. A dangerous idiot. He may very well go back to jail because of this and I wouldn’t sleep any less over it. But, I actually don’t think this prank is about the car accident. Lydia Bennet is Jane and Elsie’s little sister, and he put her up to this to hurt me.”
“How does Jeff know the Bennets?” Gianna’s head tilted, her face showing a disappointed frown. “You’ve been keeping things from me.”
Will sighed. “Jeff showed up in Meryton and latched himself onto the Bennets. He’s like a bad rash I can’t get rid of.”
“I’m so glad he got caught for this. Can you imagine what else he might try if he’d gotten away with it?”
“You have more faith in the judicial system than I do. We’ll be lucky if he gets more than a small fine. But I’ll start parking in the garage again. I called an auction house. They’ll store Dad’s Bentley for us until it goes to the highest bidder.”
Gianna patted his shoulder. “It’s long overdue. But that’s not our only problem here. What are you going to do for poor Lydia Bennet? I keep picturing myself in her situation.”
Will stiffened. He kept hearing that muffled giggle in his head. One he now realized was Lydia, gleefully helping Jeff slash his tires. He wasn’t feeling much sympathy, only disgust. But by the time the cop showed up for the surveillance video, he knew the anger he felt inside wouldn’t fix this.
Lydia was convinced he was the bad guy, that Jeff was merely a victim. Changing that perspective was the only way to make this right. He called up a lawyer friend and convinced him to take her case and help her make a good plea deal. Then he posted her bail. He couldn’t bring himself to meet with her though. He didn’t want to know if she was grateful for his help or resentful. Honestly, it didn’t matter.
Chapter 21 ♥Anonymous Benefactor
Lydia’s incessant humming while she straightened her hair in the hotel bathroom was about to drive Elsie insane. They’d driven all the way here to rescue her, only to find out she was fine.
Her bail had been posted, she’d gotten her phone and car back, and she was sooo glad she wouldn’t miss her audition after all. She just needed to get that annoying meeting with her lawyer out of the way first.
“Is this a public defender we’re meeting?” Elsie asked, trying another tack to get the information Lydia insisted on not sharing.
“I don’t think so. Richer than that. I hope it means he’s good.”
“Who is paying him?” Jane asked. She exchanged glances with Elsie. None of this made any sense.
“Not me. But I can’t tell you more than that. I’m just mad he won’t help Jeff. His bail hasn’t even been posted. I’ve texted Denny, like, a million times, but he’s not answering me.”
Elsie rubbed the aching spot in the middle of her forehead. “Jeff doesn’t need help. This is a mess of his own making. And you! How could you do this, Lydia?”
Lydia turned to them, her face turning into a rehearsed mask. “I admit to nothing. They totally searched my car illegally.”
Elsie jumped up from the bed, but Jane gripped her arm. “Don’t kill her yet. We have to return her to Mom and Dad first.”
