Chapter 85 Witness

Emilie could not believe her ears. For all her protestations to Erik to the contrary, she now stood in her manager's office as the Vicomte insisted they not only accept Erik's opera as their next production, but it would be performed within the week.

"Is that even possible?" Andre asked, turning to M. Reyer, whose head was still deep in Erik's libretto.

"What? Yes, it is but - " Reyer said, running his fingers over the music. An opera of this complexity, this genius, within a week? "I cannot possibly do it justice with so little time to rehearse."

"I don't care a whit about doing it justice," Raoul said. "I just want it done." He was sick to death of these people defying him. Most especially some damn tutor – a position no higher than a servant in his mind.

Reyer bristled with anger at his ignorance. He'd never read anything so wonderful in his life. It was such a challenge, such an honour, and such a change to the second-rate mediocrity he usually conducted there. His fingers itched to start straight away, just to hear the notes flowing and feel the music rising through him. But a week? The orchestra would probably walk out when faced with such a request. "The orchestra would have to rehearse day and night, they have families, M le Vicomte. Some have work in the daytime that they can't afford to be absent from."

In answer Raoul reached into his pocket and took out a large black wallet. It thumped down on the table in front of Firman, who grasped it immediately and looked inside. "I'm sure that will cover any extra wages my request may generate," Raoul smiled without humour. "Will it not?"

Firmin looked inside the wallet and had to suppress a gasp. God above, with that much money they could do anything. With that much money he could solve some rather pressing personal debts too… He put it quickly into the inside pocket of his jacket. "Why yes, that absolutely will."

Emilie fumed with anger. How dare they accept de Chagny's thirty pieces of silver for Erik's life. She kept her eyes to the floor, unable to even look at the Vicomte. Steeling her face into an impassive expression she concentrated on not trembling with rage.

"Are you quite certain this will work though?" Andre asked. He wasn't entirely comfortable with any of this idea, least of all having armed Police waiting to shoot the man as soon as he showed up to the performance. To think of Brigitte being in the line of fire made his mouth dry with panic. "There'll be so many people in the theatre. And Mlle. Daae…" the words died on his lips as Firmin gave him a thunderous look. "But if you think it's best," he muttered feebly.

"Can you suggest any other way to capture this madman?" Raoul asked, his tone brooking no refusal. "I realize the situation is far from ideal. But you've never been able to find him before now, have you?" he arched an eyebrow in Emilie's direction. "And I cannot allow this - situation – with Christine to continue."

"Of course not, of course not," Firmin blustered. He'd agree to walk naked across the stage if it meant he could keep hold of the large sum of francs in that wallet.

"But you don't think he might just, well, arrive in the middle of rehearsals?" Andre asked, "to see how his opera is shaping up?"

"I will attend all rehearsals," Raoul said. "And I will be by Christine's side, day and night."

Andre lifted his eyebrows at that statement, but knew better than to say another word.

"And I'll have the finest marksmen waiting for him on opening night," Raoul said, his eyes darkening with determination. "So, are we all in agreement?"

"Yes," Firmin said, hoping his haste to answer hadn't been too unseemly.

"Madame?" Andre ventured.

Emilie looked up at last, setting her eyes on Andre. "Yes?"

"Will your dancers be ready? The costumes, the sets? What do you think?" Andre asked, wondering if she perhaps thought as he did – of all the other lives that could potentially be lost if shots were fired across the theatre.

"We'll be ready," she said, setting her eyes on de Chagny and wondering if he realised her answer had nothing at all to do with her ballerinas.