Chapter 34
Poppy was talking a break from therehearsals. She stood outside the doors that led to the stage. God. They were a bunch of idiots. She sighed. Poppy was about ready to go back in when she heard Christine call her name. Shit. What did she want?
"Poppy! May we speak with you?"
We?
"Afternoon, MademoisellePoppy."
Oh. Damn. Raoul as well.
"Poppy, I want to ask you. Are you really singing in the Opera?" Christine wondered.
"Yes. I am singing in it. Why?"
Raoul pipped up, "I believe that this could be the chance to ensnare our clever friend."
"What!"
"We shall play his game. Perform his work. But—we hold the ace. For if you sing, he is certain to attend. We'll make certain the doors are barred. And that armed men well be there…"
"Shut up!" Poppy shouted, "Just shut up! Why do you want to do this?"
Raoul opened his mouth in surprise, "Is he not holding you prisoner? Like he held Christine? Plus he killed. He must be brought to justice."
Poppy shook her head, annoyed, "Listen here. He is not holding me prisoner. He did not hold Christine prisoner. I know, I was there. Nothing happened."
"Well, that may be so. But he still killed…"
"He did not kill that man."
"And how do you know?" he asked skeptically.
Poppy thought of a quick lie. Hopefully they both where stupid enough to believe it and know that the time lapse would be impossible. "Because, I was with him that night. I left the opera early and met up with him." She blushed for show.
Raoul raised an eyebrow. He wouldn't have thought…
"And there is no crime for him to have the mangers produce his opera."
"They are going to do that? Did he threaten them any way?"
Poppy scuffed "No. They want to. In fact, I must be going back to rehearsal." She turned to walk back though the doors when she stopped, "By the way, when are you two getting married?"
Christine blushed as Raoul answered, "Soon. She wants to see the opera. Then we will leave for London."
"Well, congratulations." With that she turned to walk back to the auditorium.
