Chapter Forty-five
Erik fought the temptation to slide his hand into his pocket, to close his fingers around the revolver in readiness.
He knew, though, if that any trouble tonight would hinder his plans for the following evening.
"What are you doing here, Giry?"
The Inspector gave a lazy shrug as he helped himself to some brandy and took a seat at the bar.
"I was passing by and saw a light coming from the club. Knowing you just happened to be closed, I thought I should investigate…wouldn't like to hear that you'd been robbed."
He moved to refill his glass, but Erik stepped forward and pushed the brandy bottle out of his reach.
"Enough with the lies, Inspector. You followed the men here. On orders from Major Hetzner."
Out of the corner of his eyes, Erik saw Raoul de Chagny's hand reach for the brandy bottle, his fingers curling about the slender neck.
Erik caught the younger man's eye and gave a slight shake of his head.
You have to trust me…for now, at least.
To his relief, Raoul let go of the bottle.
"I'm afraid, Erik, that I will have to arrest your two friends here."
"On what grounds, Inspector," Raoul demanded with admirably coolness.
"Come, come, Monsieur. You don't mean to tell me you weren't at the meeting tonight."
Erik casually stepped closer to the Inspector, relying on the dim lighting to give him the advantage. He leaned back against the bar as he spoke.
"Inspector, these men will not be leaving with you tonight."
"I hardly think you are in a position to say anything about it, Erik. I'm quite sure that you have those letters of transit on you. It might be very unpleasant for you if Major Hetzner found them in your possession.
The Inspector rose and picked up the brandy bottle to pour himself another drink.
"In fact," he added with a chuckle, "you might find yourself in need of a larger mask."
The Inspector's laughter died abruptly as he felt Erik's revolver pressed to his back.
"Monsieur de Chagny, there should be some rope in the store room. The door is at the far end of the kitchen…through that archway. I want you and your friend here to tie up the Inspector."
When the two men had taken the Inspector's own revolver from him and secured his hands beside his back, Erik set his own gun down on the bar.
"Put a gag in his mouth and take him back to the storage room. It won't be the first time he's spent the night there after a long evening of gambling and drinking. Then get out of here, both of you."
When Monsieur Philippe and Raoul de Chagny had left through the club's rear exit, Erik return to his room.
He switched on the light, half-hoping to find that Christine was still there…waiting for him.
He felt the weariness seeping through his body as he sank down on the rumpled bed.