That night, the household retired early. Antoinette was dressing for bed, brushing her long locks, when a thought occurred to her. She put down her brush and went to her door, only to jump in surprise at Lucy placing a plate of sandwiches at her feet.
"Oh Miss! I thought you were still up!" said Lucy standing.
"Uh, Lucy? What's all this?" asked Antoinette pointing to the platter. Lucy smiled shyly,
"Well Miss, if it's not too bold to say, I noticed that Mister Erik couldn't stop looking at you at supper. So I took the liberty of fixing him some sandwiches."
"If the sandwiches are for him, why don't you leave them by his door?" asked Antoinette still confused.
"Oh no Miss! You don't understand! I guess I thought this was a common custom!" said Lucy.
"What is? Heavens Lucy!" laughed Antoinette. Lucy looked around the halls and then whispered to Antoinette,
"Well in England Miss...if a gentleman looks at a lady like Mister Erik looks at you, then the lady leaves out sandwiches by her door so he can know she wants him to...well you know!" Antoinette dropped her jaw and said,
"You can't be serious!"
"It's a fairly common practice Miss! We've had dozens of quests over the years with empty platters outside their doors in the morning! The sandwiches are common courtesy for the gentleman callers." Lucy told her.
"Lucy. I don't care if that is the way things are done in England! M. DuL'Soir and I are from France! We have no such custom! "
"Sorry Miss." said Lucy lowering her gaze. Antoinette softened,
"I don't mean to snap at you, dear. Say, Lucy...would you like to know something about M. DuL'Soir and I in confidence in exchange for a piece of information?"
"Like what Miss?"
"Like...what you and Mr. Jefferson were doing together last night?" Antoinette asked. Lucy hung her head,
"Alright...we...were on the front porch last night kissing! We didn't get to bed until three in the morning. We even saw his Lordship coming down the stairs getting his cigar ready...oh if I had known that would be the last time I saw him Miss! And then Miss Harould caught us while on her way to get a drink of water! We were so embarrassed we swore her to secrecy! She's always favored our coming together anyway, though. And poor Lord Bowler! He gave us a wink! Poor man! Please don't tell my mother Miss! She doesn't care much for Billy!"
"You're secret is safe with me! And per our agreement, I will say that...If I weren't such the proper lady I am...And if M. DuL'Soir had any idea...I would let you keep that platter where it is! Now take these sandwiches away right now! And don't take this the wrong way, but could you ask M. DuL'Soir to come talk to me? Outside my door?" Antoinette told her. Lucy curtsied,
"Yes Miss!" After Antoinette closed her door, Lucy sighed and bent over to pick up the sandwiches. But as she turned, she gave a quick squeak when she found Erik behind her.
"Quiet Lucy! You'll wake the whole house." he told her.
"Sorry sir! It's just you scared me! You walk so softly!" she said.
"I've had lots of practice. What are those for?" he asked pointing to the sandwiches.
"Well...I just thought you'd like a late night snack sir!" Lucy said cautiously. He grunted and said,
"Well I am a bit hungry, say...what were you speaking with Mlle Carone about?"
"She asked me to fetch you sir. She'd like a word!" said Lucy.
"Thank you!" he said crossing over to the door. Lucy held out the platter,
"Your snack sir!" He took it without a word and Lucy walked away with a triumphant giggle. When Antoinette opened the door, her eyes grew as big as saucers when she saw Erik, his white blouse open, and he mouth chewing on a sandwich from that infamous platter.
"What are you doing with that!" she squeaked. He said with his mouth full,
"I always become ravenous when I'm inspired to write a new composition. You wish to speak with me?" As he licked his fingers, she said pulling him in and checking the hall,
"Get in here before anyone sees you! Lord in Heaven!"
"What's the matter with you?" asked Erik.
"Did you know in England, they have the quaint little custom of ladies leaving sandwiches for their lovers!" she said folding her arms upon closing the door. Erik smirked,
"And yet...if someone saw me come out of here with an empty platter..." She paled,
"O Lord! I'm ruined!" He took another sandwich and waved her off leaning against the desk,
"Don't worry! No one in their right minds would ever believe a stunning girl like you would care for a vile looking creature like me!" She looked at him and smirked,
"Don't underestimate yourself Mousier! And you are certainly anything...but vile..." He gulped down his sandwich and said while trying not to blush,
"What do you want to tell me?" She took a sandwich and said,
"First give me one of those. I'm always become ravenous when I'm inspired to crawl under a rock from humiliation!"
"Well?" She sighed,
"Well, Lucy finally told me the truth."
"About what?" asked Erik growing interested. She took a bite and said,
"About she and Jefferson. They were on the front porch together...shall we say...making sandwiches?" Understanding her innuendo, Erik nodded,
"Given her mother's disapproval I can see why they would lie."
"And they said Miss Harould saw them on their way to bed. We can ask her to confirm the story, but the really interesting bit is...on their way upstairs...Lucy and Jefferson saw his Lordship coming down the stairs with his cigar! They said it was about three in the morning!" Antoinette told him as she leaned on the desk next to him.
"Well that gives us our time of death..." said Erik in thought.
"But it still gives everyone an opportunity to kill him!" said Antoinette.
"I know...how did you figure out Lucy and Jefferson were together last night?" asked Erik looking at her.
"Remember when her mother said she was waiting up for her...and then she came in with her hair messed up? And when they both lied well, it was easy to see they were keeping their passion a secret!" she said with a wry smile. Erik sighed and stared down the carpet,
"If I had a beautiful woman I could make love to I would shout it from the rooftops!"
"Would you now?" asked Antoinette amused.
"But it will never happen." said Erik.
"And why not?" she asked him. He scoffed,
"It's it obvious? I'm too ugly to have a wonderful thing like love happen to me!" She stopped him from taking another bite by taking away his sandwich and putting it back on the tray. She then looked him square in the face and said,
"Erik. Get this into your head. I don't know what is under that eye patch, but I know even if it is horrid it is not enough to make you ugly. It is only a small part of a body that is desirable and attractive to the point of driving a woman mad with passion."
"You...you can't possible think I'm handsome...what physical traits about me could possibly inspire you to say that?" he asked with disbelief. She leaned towards him and said with a sly smile and a dry wit,
"Do you want the whole list or just...highlights?" Erik shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. This had to be a dream. A wonderful dream with a gorgeous woman with a open, soft face glowing in the candlelight, her lips parted open, her dressing gown open revealing her blue and white toile patterned nightgown flowing down her curves. He tried to speak,
"No...you can't...you just can't..." She raised a hand over his lips to stop the sound,
"The whole list then...I've always favored tall men, it's so much easier to hug and embrace. Your shoulders, your arms, your chest...all inherited from some Greek god no doubt..." She put her hand to his cheek,
"Your strong jaw...that wonderful cleft in your chin that you stroke with your thumb when in thought ...that warm...shy, sweet smile of yours that brings out premature crows feet...and those intoxicating and deep green eyes of yours...that are so intense and focused...yet always looking so lost...oh yes Erik...a girl can easily lose her heart to you." He covered her hand with his own and said,
"But you've only known me a few days..."
"Sometimes...a few days is all it takes!" she told him. He stood and brought her with him. Cautiously, he turned his head, so that he could kiss her palm. She closed her eyes in delight and asked,
"Are you still hungry?"
"Yes..."
"You said you were writing a composition...what were you writing?" she said her voice trembling. He brought her closer, so close she was leaning on him.
"I forget...but the hunger remains...Toni..." he said beginning to lean into her smiling face. Then a knock on the door made them jump, and Andre called from the other side,
"Mlle. Carone? Are you decent?" She sighed and whispered,
"Unfortunately!" Erik stepped back,
"I'd better hide. He might fire you for misconduct." he said.
"I wish!" she said going to answer the door. She closed her robe and opened the door to see Andre still in his shirt and breeches but with his robe on ask her,
"You didn't happen to see my bag with my shaving kit, did you? It seems to be missing from my luggage." She said,
"Let me check." But when she turned back to the room, she saw Erik and the platter gone. She searched the room for him, to which Andre assumed she was searching for his shaving kit. When Erik was nowhere to be found, she returned to the door and muttered,
"Not here..."
"Oh bother! I hope Firmin doesn't have it! He's terribly rude when awoken!" huffed Andre.
"M. Andre?" called a voice down the hall. Antoinette looked out and with shock saw Erik leaning against the doorframe to his room three doors away. He held out a small bag and said,
"I believe this is what you are looking for." Andre came down and took the bag smiling,
"Oh yes! That's it! Thank you Erik! Well, goodnight all!" As the older man returned to his room, he never saw Antoinette and Erik still staring at each other; her expression of delighted astonishment, his own, fond amusement. Erik nodded to her, while taking a bite out of a sandwich,
"Goodnight Toni."
"Goodnight Erik!" she said with a smile as they continued to look at each other while shutting their own doors. Antoinette giggled and caressed the hand that had his kiss on it.
Meanwhile, Erik undressed, a smile on his face. He knew he should tell Toni in the morning they must stick to propriety, but he still smiled at the thought that she had come to him willingly. He never held a willing woman in his arms before, and it was quite the experience. Taking off his shirt, he noticed she had left her scent on it. He breathed it in and then looked aside to the vanity. And for the first time in his existence, Erik didn't see a repulsive carcass.
He took off the eye patch to make sure he was looking at the same man, and sure enough he was...but now that man in the mirror didn't seem too ugly. Was he always in such good shape? He never noticed. And she might be right. His deformity was only a small part of his body.
He shook his head. This was all a little too much to grasp all at once. And a voice in his head was still hurling insults at him, cursing his face, but that voice was smaller than it had been before. He blew out the candle and slipped under the covers, not noticing he still had his shirt in his hand, but taking in her fragrance still.
In the morning, Lady Bowler joined them in the dining room for breakfast.
"How are you this morning Madame?" asked Firmin as Andre pulled out her chair for her. She gave a weak smile,
"Better. Thank you! Lord, I have so much to do! The funeral is tomorrow. So much to do between then!" she said shaking her head as Miss Wilcox came in to serve breakfast. She gasped and told her mistress,
"Milady! The ball! I believe we've forgotten all about it!"
"What ball?" asked Firmin always interested when it came to a party. Lady Bowler sighed and held her forehead in her hand,
"Charles and I were to have a ball this weekend! It's too late to stop people from coming, most of them are to arrive today!" Andre patted her hand,
"Well, look on the bright side Milady. You won't have to send as many impersonal telegraphs telling people His Lordship is dead. You get to do it in person and have your close friends comfort you!"
"That's true. In fact, If my guests are up to it...I believe we shall still have the Masque...in Charles memory. He loved to dress up in costume so!" she said with a smile at the memory. Firmin exchanged glances with Erik and said,
"A Masque you say? How convenient!"
"Not for me, Mousier! Now I must change my costume! I shall simply have to wear a black Domino mask I suppose." she sighed pushing her eggs around her plate. Antoinette smiled and leaned towards her saying,
"Madame, I should be most happy to help you prepare the funeral services and the Masque. So that you may properly grieve and not strain yourself during this difficult time." Lady Bowler smiled,
"Thank you Mlle. Carone! That is very kind! And I insist you all come to the party while you are here. To give you a break from your investigation."
"Thank you Your Ladyship. We shall all enjoy it immensely, I'm sure!" said Firmin.
"And don't worry Mousier. Mlle. Carone and I can go into town and pick up some costumes for you while you and M. Andre stay at the house and look for clues." Erik told him. Antoinette smiled across the table at Erik's cleaver mind. Andre said taking a bite of his sausage,
"Excellent idea, Erik! Maybe we can get this mystery solved before the ball and really have something to celebrate!" Firmin eyed Erik. He knew Erik was going into town to investigate, but, he also knew he was giving him and Andre an opportunity to show they could do real detective work by looking about the house. Lady Bowler said to M. Firmin,
"It must be wonderful having such capable assistants who take such pride in their work." As Firmin replied,
"Yes and Andre and I took care to hire only the best and brightest who understand business comes before pleasure, " Antoinette slyly slipped her foot out of it's shoe and reached across the table underneath to go up Erik's pant leg and stroke his ankle. Erik froze mid bite and looked at her across the table stunned at her action and her flirtatious wink at him and she casually sat in her seat as if nothing was going on and as if Erik's skin wasn't on fire from her touch. Oblivious to the happenings at the other end of the table, Andre asked Lady Bowler,
"So has England had much rain this year?"
Later, Erik was in the stable waiting for Grady to hitch up a pair of horses to a buggy. Grady said, with false respect dripping in his voice,
"Sorry sir, I can't take you and the lady to town myself, but I have a lot of work to do by myself here." Erik slipped on his brown leather gloves that went with his forest green jacket and tan vest and said,
"We'll manage thank you." Then Antoinette entered the stable adjusting her hat as she asked Erik,
"Ready to go?" Erik watched Grady go to the other side of the stable out of earshot and say,
"Yes...may I speak with you?" She smiled,
"Always!"
"Mlle. Carone...Antoinette...Toni...about last night...don't get me wrong...I've waited my entire life for something like that to happen to me...but I don't want you to do anything we might regret. May we...take things slowly?" Erik asked, pleading her with his eyes. She smiled softly and said,
"You're right. I suppose my independent nature got the better of me. We shall start off as friends if you wish it and see what progresses from there." He smiled and said,
"Thank you. And yes, I'm ready to go. I can't wait to get to the village and ask about Canter...did you happen to notice the lamps on this buggy are filled with kerosene?" She nodded and said knowingly as Erik helped her get in the seat,
"I did...and I already asked Thompkins about it. He said the only kerosene they use is in the stables. Her Ladyship doesn't care for the smell. It would appear Erik, that Grady is looking more and more guilty!" Erik climbed in, not taking his seat yet as he took up the reins,
"I know...but something isn't adding up. I just can't picture Grady sneaking up behind his Lordship and taking him by surprise. Grady is too arrogant and too hotheaded not to have a full confrontation. And what...WHOA!" Erik had just began to sit down, when he felt something pinch the flesh of his bottom hard. He stood and rubbed the spot looking suspiciously down at Antoinette who batted her lashes and grinned,
"That was just for the road!" He sighed and sat beside her giving her a disapproving look, but she noticed a smirk dancing about on his lips. Erik started the team and they drove away, not seeing Grady come out of the shadows of the stables and look after them with a dark scowl across his features.
Once in the village, Antoinette and Erik split up to do their investigations. Erik went to the pub to find Tom Kelsey's brother, and Antoinette went about asking for John Canter's sister. She finally found her selling wonderful and colorful patchwork quilts at a small booth.
"Yes Miss! My brother was a good man! A cheap man! But a good one!"
"Mrs. Thomas tell me. Has anyone made any threats or such towards you since your brother died?" asked Josephine.
"Nothing of the kind! John didn't have an enemy in this world God bless him! But I wouldn't be surprised if someone was after his money!" she said pointing a wrinkled old finger at Antoinette.
"Money?" she asked confused.
"Aye money! See there was a reason John Canter was so cheap, my dear! From the time he started working at Dogwood as a lad till the day he died he saved up his wages and spent almost nothing on himself! He'd always hide his money away someplace but during the winter when there was no gardens to tend he kept it close by him. Didn't believe in banks he did. Why...when my son Joe came down with a fever when he was twelve, I asked John for a loan to buy some medicine." said Mrs. Thomas.
"And he gave it to you?" asked Antoinette.
"Of course! He knew family always came first, but Lord! Did he kick and scream while he did it! He kept telling Joe, 'Why couldn't you get sick after I'm retired?' Saints, I miss that man!" said Mrs. Thomas wistfully.
"Mrs. Thomas, didn't your brother tell you where he hid the money? After all it is yours now by right!" asked Antoinette.
"He didn't expect to die before he could! I tried to tell the Bowlers about John's stash, but they brushed me off and told me all John had was what they had given me. Swells! What do they know about going without?" huffed Mrs. Thomas.
"Mrs. Thomas, you have helped me more than you could know! Now if you could just help me once more. Can you lend me Mr. Canter's belongings? So that my employers could have a look?" asked Antoinette.
"Certainly! They're of no use to me! And besides, I'm not selling much today." she said preparing to load up her booth. Antoinette stopped her and smiled,
"Actually, I was wondering if you might sell me one of your blankets...and...how fast can you sew a dress?" Mrs. Thomas furrowed her brow in curiosity at the young French girl.
Back at Dogwood, Firmin and Andre crept about the hall and tiptoed inside the study.
"Why are we sneaking about?" asked Andre.
"Because Lady Bowler didn't give us permission to search her husband's desk!" said Firmin.
"Why didn't we ask her?" asked Andre.
"And give her or anyone else an opportunity to hide any evidence? Andre, I'm beginning to wonder if Erik was right in his previous disbelief that we couldn't be detectives!" said Firmin going to the desk.
"I'm not used to sneaking about and snooping through people's things I guess. After all it isn't very polite!" said Andre keeping watch out the crack in the door. Firmin riffled through papers,
"Well get use to it! This is what detectives do! We sneak and snoop!"
"Are we looking for that post that came for his Lordship?" asked Andre.
"Yes. If we find that, it would explain what put Lord Bowler in such a happy mood before he was hit in the head with a shovel!" said Firmin.
"Why would there be a shovel in the house anyway? The only two people who have use of it in this house, are the gardener and that Grady fellow. And both were unaccounted for when Canter died!" said Andre pointing a finger at him.
"But Tom has a solid alibi! Grady lied!" pointed out Firmin.
"Yes, but Tom's alibi is his brother. And family could say anything to defend their loved ones from the guillotine!" said Andre.
"They don't use the guillotine here, they hang them by the neck!" said Firmin. An image of five years ago, and a dead stagehand came to mind, and they both shivered.
"Michael, did we do the right thing...asking the Phantom for help?" Firmin shook his head,
"Giles, I don't believe we asked the Phantom for help. I believe we asked a scared young man named Erik."
"Yes, he certainly hasn't acted like the Phantom has he? You only see a hint of it when he tells us what to investigate! And even then...you can see the trust he has in us that we can do it. And you have noticed they way he's acted around Mlle. Carone?" asked Andre with a pointed look to Firmin. Firmin smiled while reading a letter,
"I have! And he certainly never appeared to be as the shy school boy with Christine Daae! And you have noticed she finds him attractive?"
"Of course! And Mlle. Carone's never taken such interest in anyone before! And she flirts with him constantly! The poor man...I think he's overwhelmed!" laughed Andre.
"I would be too if a beautiful young lady gave me attention I never had before!" said Firmin. Silence fell for a moment, save for the rustle of papers, when Andre said in thought,
"Firmin? Doesn't it strike you odd a grieving widow would give an expensive Masque when her husband had been in debt? And she still had to bury him?" Firmin held up a paper,
"Not half as odd as this!" said Firmin. Andre came over, trying to read over his shoulder,
"What is it?" Firmin read,
"To Lord C. Wittingham Bowler. Stop. Grady was in jail for robbery. Stop. Also charged with arson since he burned houses he broke into. Stop. Fire him immediately or call the constable. Stop. Your Friend, Sir James Fletcher, Barrister. Stop. August 16th, 1875. Stop! This is it Andre! This is what the Lord received in the post! Grady's criminal record!"
"But why would he be happy about it?" asked Andre. Firmin looked out the window, but then pointed to the scene below,
"Andre! It's Bowers again! And he's got a team of dogs sniffing about!"
"What is he looking for?" asked Andre. Then it occurred to them.
"The shovel!" they said at once rushing out.
Meanwhile, Jake Kelsey told Erik as he was unloading kegs of beer outside his pub,
"Aye, my brother was with us the other night! And you can ask any of those old gents in there. They're here almost all the time!"
"I know. I already asked them. And they told me how your wife shouted at you both for having too much to drink!" said Erik with a wry smirk.
"Aye, that we did. My wife Sarah, God save her and make her a saint! She had to drive Tom back to Dogwood in the wee hours of the morning! Good thing she had our dog Rusty with her! No one finds favor with him and he'd protect her at all costs!" said Jake. Suddenly, a door was opened from the pub and a large brown-red Great Dane came out and jumped on Erik.
"Rusty no!" shouted Jake. But the dog merely licked Erik's face and Erik laughed, scratching the dog behind his ears,
"It's alright! I've always had a way with animals!" Jake shifted the cap on the back of his head as his young, blond wife came out to fetch the dog,
"Well I'll be the King of England!"
"Sorry Luv, he got away from me!" apologized Sarah taking the dog by the collar.
"It's alright dear! I was just telling Mister DuL'Soir here, that you took Tom home two nights ago." said Jake.
"Have they caught Lord Bowler's killer yet?" she asked with worry.
"Not yet. Mrs. Kelsey, what time did you take Tom back to Dogwood the other night?" asked Erik.
"Well we left about two-thirty, and got there twenty minutes after. Why do you ask, sir?" she said.
"Did you notice anything strange about the place? Did you hear anything?" asked Erik.
"Now that you mention it, Rusty began to bark at something. I looked up to the east part of the property and I see someone walk to the brush and throw something. And I thought to myself, 'Why would someone be doing up at this hour?' Then I realized I was up and about, so I paid no more mind and got Tom inside." she told him.
"Does this have to do with the murder?" asked Jake.
"I think it has everything to do with the murder! Thank you both, now I must be on my way. Good day!" said Erik walking away to where he had parked the buggy. Coming up the street to meet him was Antoinette, her arms full of packages.
"You will NOT believe what I discovered!" she said.
"No, what I can't believe is that you expect all of this to fit in the buggy!" joked Erik beginning to take the packages and put them inside.
"Oh come now Erik! I thought you wouldn't be the sort of man who assumes that just because I'm a woman I love to shop!" she laughed.
"When are you having the rest delivered?" he asked not batting an eye.
"Tomorrow afternoon after the funeral!" she admitted bluntly.
"Well what would you say if I told you Tom Kelsey's sister in law saw a figure throw something into the east brush at Dogwood grove at about three and twenty the night of the murder?" he said.
"I'd say my news is bigger than your..." But she was interrupted when a large crash of wood was heard, and someone yelled,
"Lookout!" Antoinette screamed when Erik pushed her to the ground out of the way of a rampaging horse, bucking and neighing uncontrollably. Erik stood and growled in frustration at the poor attempt on the villagers to control the animal. He looked around and saw a piece of rope. He grabbed it and quickly formed a lasso and he ran after the beast and threw it in the air where it jerked tight around the animals neck. Erik was dragged on his feet a bit, but with a great tug, he had pulled the stallion to the ground. The men of the village jumped on top of the animal and got it under control. As some women helped a dazed Antoinette up, they said,
"That horse could have easily run you down and kill you!"
"Good thing your husband is so strong!" said another as Antoinette locked eyes with Erik who was trying to control his breathing and hold the animal at the same time. She saw all the muscles in his powerful arms rippling, and a seam where the shoulder meets the armhole of his jacket had popped. Never in all her days had she seen a man so strong...with such a wild look to his eyes...that she wanted so much.
"This horse was prodded with a knife to go wild! They cut him in the hind leg and left the knife in!" said a villager. When Erik saw he was right, he threw the end of the rope he held to the ground and came over to Antoinette and grabbed her by the hand pulling her to the carriage.
"We have to get back now!" he growled at her. She had barely sat when he started the team with a snap of the rein and took off. When they drove up the drive to Dogwood, they saw a group of men wrestling with a struggling Grady to get into the back of a carriage with bars on the back windows. Other carriages were in front, and confused guests came out and to the door, where Thompkins stood behind Lady Bowler watching the display. As ladies gasped at the stream of obscenities flowing from Grady's mouth, Erik stopped the buggy and helped Antoinette down in one fluid motion before stomping over to Andre and Firmin and demanding,
"What's going on?"
"Grady has been arrested for Lord Bowler's murder." said Firmin. Bowers came up to them and said cockily,
"We found the missing shovel in the east bushes. Everyone in the house confirmed it was Grady's. Had blood on it."
"But anyone could have thrown it into the woods!" snapped Erik.
"We found the post Lord Bowler received before he died. It told of Grady's criminal past." said Andre somberly.
"That's right. And Scotland Yard sent over a description of a thief who burned down the houses he stole from to get rid of the evidence. Probably thought his Lordship would turn him in. It's Grady alright. Been on the run for the past three years. Not anymore!" said Bowers.
"So you're dropping the case?" barked Erik.
"Case is solved Mousier! And you all helped crack it! Her Ladyship should be giving you your commission any second. And you'll get a little something from the Yard for helping catch him, you can be sure of that! Well, good day!" said Bowers with a tip of his hat. Erik somberly watched Grady being shoved in the back of the paddy wagon and the officers closing the doors. But when he saw Grady look out the bars, he followed his line of vision to the step where Lady Bowler stood. She was regarding him coldly, but Erik knew the passion that burned in Grady's eyes. That was the look of a man who was obsessed with a woman who didn't love him back. He knew that look because he had seen it in his own reflection. The answer came to him clearly then.
Grady was in love with Lady Bowler.