The Man Behind the Monster: Phantom of the Opera Story

26: The Interrogation

ELIZABETH'S POV

"Chief Bouchard will see you now, Ms. Daae.", Deputy Javert said, as he walked into the sitting room.

I was a nervous wreck. They interviewed Raoul, Christine, and Raphael before me, one by one. I was in no mood to talk with the police right now, especially under these circumstances.

I stood up from my seated position and Deputy Javert escorted me down the hall towards the dining room, which I'm guessing is where Chief Bouchard is conducting his interviews.

"No. Elizabeth is not in the right state of mind to be put under a spotlight and interrogated. I refuse to leave this room. I demand that I am in the room with her.", I heard Raphael yell from the other side of the door, as Deputy Javert came to a stop.

"You will leave this room so I can conduct a thorough investigation. If you don't, Monsieur le Vicomte, I will have you carted off to jail for obstruction of justice. Trust me, pretty boy, you wouldn't last a day. Now, leave this room this instant.", I heard Chief Bouchard fire back.

I wrapped my arms around my body to try and stop my hands from shaking. I didn't want to do this. What are they going to ask me? Are they going to throw me in jail for the things I know about Erik?

My head shot up once I heard the heavy wooden door swing open. The door open to reveal an extremely pissed off Raphael. His expression softened once his eyes laid themselves on me.

"Lizzie!", he exclaimed, rushing towards me and pulling me into his arms.

"Raph, I don't want to do this. Don't let them do this.", I cried, burying my face into his chest as I felt the tears start to stream down my cheeks.

"Shh, shh Lizzie, it's okay. Stay strong, okay? Stay strong.", Raph whispered, laying a delicate kiss to my forehead. He ran his hand up and down my back to try and soothe me even more.

"Deputy, can you see how outrageous this is? Can this not wait until she is well enough to conduct this interview?", Raph said towards the Deputy.

"I don't write the rules sir, I just follow them. The Chief wants to catch this bastard just as much as I do. We have to act as fast as we can, or else he's gone like the wind. And don't you want to catch him Vicomte? He did kidnap your lady, didn't he?", the Deputy replied.

Raph's body tensed as soon as he heard those words come out of the Deputy's mouth. He didn't respond, but I could just sense Raph's eyes shooting daggers towards the Deputy.

"Mademoiselle, shall we start?", I heard Chief Bouchard say.

Raph let go of our embrace and rested his hands on my shoulders.

"I swear I will be right here if you need me.", he softly said, looking into my eyes. He leaned forward and placed a delicate kiss to my forehead before I stepped away and into the makeshift interrogation room.

"Good morning, Ms. Daae. How are you doing this fine morning?", Chief Bouchard said, as I took a seat at the table.

"Wishing I could be anywhere but here right now, officer.", I mumbled, looking down to my hands that were folded in my lap. There was a slight pause before Bouchard spoke again.

"Well okay then, Ms. Daae. I have some questions that I need to ask you. Do you promise to tell the truth, as God as your witness?", the Chief state.

"I promise, as God as my witness."

"So, it seems to me, as well as pretty much every witness, that this Phantom took a very personal interest in you, Ms. Daae. And why is that? Did you have a relationship with that man?", the Chief asked.