Beauty Of Music

Chapter 24

Whilst Christine and Phillippe were having a very productive day, Monsieur Carriere's day was a whole other story. After his meeting with Inspector Ledoux he returned to his apartment in the city, he tried to sleep but his mind was so occupied with worry over Catherine's safety he only managed to get a few hours rest before dawn broke the next morning. He rose from his bed and dressed in a casual sandy coloured suit with a dark brown tie and brown leather shoes and then left his apartment. He did not return to the Opera House right away, fearing his presents would cause too much suspicion for the police, he decided to take a walk around the city of pass the time and then return to the Opera House after dark. Many hours went by and just before sunset, Monsieur Carriere returned to his apartment and changed into the suit he wore the previous night and in the cover of darkness he returned to the Opera House. He only went as far as the top of the Grand Staircase and was pacing back and forth, contemplating what he was going to do to get Catherine out of Erik's home without being noticed since Erik his warned him not to go back down every again and he dreaded to think what Erik might do to him for disobeying him. His thoughts were then interrupted by the sound of the main entrance door swinging open, abruptly, and when Monsieur Carriere turned to see who entered he was relieved to see it was Christine and Phillippe.

"Ah Phillippe! Mademoiselle Daae! I need to speak with you both" he said as he made his way downstairs towards them.

Phillippe and Christine met him halfway, Phillippe shook his hand to greet him.

"Thank goodness you are here Monsieur Carriere, we hoped you would be" said Christine with a sigh of relief.

All three of them then made their way down the stairs.

"You did? Why?" asked Carriere, confused.

"We received word from Catherine this morning, informing us she is safe and well. She asked that we meet her in the lobby at nine o'clock and for us to bring you along. She mentioned you knew some important information. Do you know what she meant?" said Christine.

Carriere looked back and forth between the young couple and was shocked by what he had heard .

"Yes, yes, I know things. I have seen Catherine" said Carriere.

Christine and Phillippe looked at him with wide eyes expression as both of them walked down the stair on either side of the older gentleman.

"Where!?" they both asked simultaneously.

"But I can't tell you, but as the letter you received stated she is alright. And it seems without my help she will be returned to you very soon" said Carriere.

"What are you talking about?" asked Phillippe as he quickly got in front of the older gentleman, making him stop in his tracks.

Christine came up beside Phillippe and looked up at the older gentleman with pleading eyes.

"I had thought I made a terrible mistake and left her where I shouldn't have and was about to go back and get her. But it would seem she has proven me wrong and has managed to get through to him" explained Carriere.

He gentle pushed his way between the young couple and continued on his way down.

"Him? Do you mean the Phantom?" asked Christine as she turned, watching Carriere walk past her and Phillippe and go down the stairs.

Carriere stopped dead in his tracks, turned around and looked up at the young couple with a wide-eyed expression.

"Catherine explained in her note that he is the one keeping her safe" explained Christine.

She and Phillippe then walked down the steps until they were one step up from the older gentleman.

"Please Gerard, no more secrets. Tell us how it is you know where he lives?" begged Phillippe, no longer wanting he and Christine to be kept in the dark.