Beauty Of Music

Chapter 21

Inspector Ledoux led Carriere to a secluded room with a table and two chairs, one on each side. They sat down across from each other.

"So now, tell me about the Phantom" said Ledoux.

Carriere was reluctant to speak to the Inspector but he knew remaining silent wasn't an option.

"I know nothing more than you do" stated Carriere, refusing to meet the Inspector's eyes.

"On the contrary I think you know a great deal more, and always have" said Ledoux.

Gerard said nothing, he raised his head to look at the Inspector with a stoned expression.

"Gerard! Let us not play games. If I cannot bring things back to normal in an orderly fashion I will do so with whatever means it takes. People would get hurt" the Inspector continued, trying to appeal to Carriere's good nature.

"If I could help I would" said Carriere, still reluctant about giving the Inspector more information.

"Gerard I like you. I always have. At Christmas when others game me money you give me bonbons. I found it charming. But charm would get you just so far" said Ledoux, warning Gerard he would not get out of this interrogation so easily.

"You think I know the Phantom?" asked Carriere, with fake innocents.

"I do" stated Ledoux.

"Why?" asked Carriere, trying to make Ledoux reveal what he knew.

"Because when you were in change disturbances of this kind never happened" stated Ledoux.

"Coincidence" said Carriere, shrugging his shoulders.

"You think I'm a fool?" chuckled Ledoux.

Carriere made no comment.

"Gerard, if this is not resolved very soon I will be forced to go back down. For God's sake, help us!" continued Ledoux, his tone showed he was beginning to lose patients with Carriere.

"I will do what I can" said Carriere, finally agreeing to help.

"Thank you. That's all I need to hear. If I can be of any assistance" said Ledoux, breathing a sigh of relief.

Carriere smiled at the Inspector as he rose from his chair, nodded his head, and then left the room without another word.

XXX

Catherine and Erik laid together on the picnic blanket, holding each other close, resting after making love to each other. Erik was the first to awaken, he looked down at Catherine feeling content and prayed that this was not all a dream. As he watched her, he started stroking her upper left arm with the tips of his fingers, while her lower arm rested on his chest. The sensation was like a tickle and it gently arose Catherine from her slumber. She looked up at Erik and smiled at him, lovingly.

"Are you alright my love?" she asked in a sleepy voice.

When she referred Erik as 'my love' he looked at her with a smile, bigger than one he had ever made in his life, leaned his head towards her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Yes, my darling. I am more than alright. I am so happy now, happier than I have ever been, especially now you are in my arms" said Erik as he held Catherine closer.

"And I am so happy to be in your arms just as much, it is just..." sighed Catherine as she looked down.

"What is wrong Catherine? Tell me" begged Erik, fearing he had done something wrong.

"It is just...if only I could see Christine again. Just to let her know that I am safe, she must be so worried about me" said Catherine in a saddened tone.