The Man behind the Mask (The Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 28

"Where the frickin heck is he?!" Karissa exclaimed in a panic estate. "Andrew said he would be here at 1200 and it is 1208!"

"Karissa we get it, chill," I said trying to calm her down.

"We has a set time and if he is not here soon I'm going to be late for my hair appointment!" Karissa exclaimed.

"Hair appointment? Do you have more important plans than this for the rest of the day?" Jen asked.

"Spill all the juicy details girl!" Jason said.

"Actually I have a date with Sawyer tonight!" Karissa gushed.

"Oh my gosh that's so exciting!" Jen exclaimed.

"Yeah I'm really nervous though so that has put me on edge even more than it usually does," Karissa said.

"It's going to go great! And Jen how's it going with Derek?" I asked.

"Well even though we danced at the ball we still haven't had much tune to really talk. But that's okay because when we perform swan lake I have a dance solo in a great costume so after that he'll be mine," Jen said seriously.

"Tamara you haven't told us anything about The Phantom yet!" Georgie said.

"Yesssss we are dying to know how the rest of you day went." Jason said.

"What I'm sure I told you guys when we were on the roof," I said trying to avoid their questions. Truth be told I don't love everyone knowing the details of my personal life.

"I just want to know, does he have nice hands are they big or are they small? Because you know what they say about small hands." Jen stated.

"Jen!" We all said in unison. 

"What? I'm just voicing what we all want to ask," Jen said.

"Amen to that," said Georgie.

"I'm not hearing this, la la la la la," Karissa said trying to block out the conversation.

"Oh look! Here comes Andrew now!" I said.

I was so thankful to change the subject. We decided to meet in our usual spot again. Even though rehearsals are not on right now it's just too risky to meet anywhere else.

"Andrew! You're late!" Karissa exclaimed.

"I'm so sorry but there was some confusion at the station with the results at the autopsy. But first I want to what Georgie found." Andrew said sitting down on the edge to join the rest of us.

"Of course you do," Jen said winking at Andrew. Andrew's turned to a deep shade of candy apple red. Luckily for Georgie she didn't see the wink so she was not embarrassed by it.

"Right now it doesn't look good. Scottie has photos of The Phantom at our first show and there's one of him and Raul together before he died. He has a lot of intel on him and pretty much has the story written out. He is planning on coming to the opera house tomorrow night to try and find the secret passageways." Georgie said.

"Well isn't that just spit in your face, kick you in the shins fantastic!" I said sarcastically.

"What did you find out Andrew? And make it snappy," Karissa said while she constantly took out her pocket watch.

"I actually have some goodish news. Well as good as it can be considering the circumstances. The police just found out that Raul was actually killed with poison, but not just any poison. It was this extremely potent stuff that you can only buy in Italy." Andrew said.

"Interesting, and have they found a way to link it to The Phantom?" Georgie asked.

"So far they are looking for the entrances to his lair. Which means-

"They are going to find him soon once they start asking people around here about them. Especially because everyone here knows where they are even if they don't believe you can access to them anymore," Karissa said nicely interrupting Andrew at the same time.

While the rest of my friends were talking I couldn't help but remember what Andrew said of poison. It reminded me a lot of the one I almost tripped on a couple nights ago. The night we all met with Erik before we entered the secret passageways.

"Hello! Earth to Tamara!" Jason said frantically waving his hand in my face trying to get my attention.

"I just had an idea! Or I guess a theory. I have a hunch and if I'm right you guys have to do exactly as I say," I answered.

***

"Ah ha! I knew it!" I yelled.

"What is it?" Karissa asked impatiently.

"Okay here's my plan. Karissa I need you to get The Phantom and to meet me on the roof. You can go after that because I don't want you to be late for your date. Georgie I need you to get Scottie, Jen get Derek, Jason get the police, and Andrew I need you find La Carlotta and bring them all up to the roof. I think I know who framed The Phantom," I said.