Chapter 26: Framed

Claire could only watch and follow as Erik rushed to Christine's chambers upon telling him of the tragedy.

Erik felt numb as he slowly approached Christine's bed and hesitantly sat down on the side of her bed... Her face was pale, she looked so peaceful as if she was sleeping but it was unfortunately an eternal sleep... Erik slowly lifted Christine, pulling her limp form close and held her to his chest,

"Christine..." he whispered, hiding his face in her shoulder as he began to sob and Claire silently thanked that she had left little Charles with Madame Giry who had gone to make the young boy a mug of hot chocolate.

It did not take Darius long to come running and he wore a 'shocked' expression,

"What... How on earth..." he struggled as Erik gently laid Christine's head down once more upon her pillows and reluctantly checked her eyes hidden beneath the lids,

"... This was no accident. She was poisoned" Erik growled,

"Who on earth would do such a terrible thing?" Claire murmured horrified,

"I don't know but when I find them... I'll send them straight to hell" he vowed as Claire moved towards the bed and covered Christine's body with her duvet out of respect,

"No one but the staff and permanent residents have access to this wing. If Miss Daae was indeed murdered... Then it has to be someone we all know... They must have had a key" Darius murmured causing Erik to nod in agreement,

"Search all the rooms. I want the person responsible caught" he growled and Claire was quick to follow after him as he stormed out of the room leaving Darius to give a secret smirk.

Every room was searched and with every room, Erik grew more and more frustrated,

"You must have found something!" Erik demanded to his trio whom shook their heads sadly,

"Did you search everywhere?" Darius demanded,

"Indeed. We checked every room three times and we found nothing" Gangle assured; It was then that Darius through an accusing look towards Claire,

"What about Miss Claire's room?" he pointed out. Claire looked at him outraged,

"Excuse me?!" she demanded,

"Well you weren't exactly Miss Daae's number one fan. I'm sure it's no mystery to us all that you have feelings for the master... After all he did love her once didn't he?" Darius sneered,

"I have nothing to hide" Claire growled in response and the trio looked towards Erik whom gave a nod causing them all to head towards and enter Claire's chambers and began searching.

Erik moved to Claire's side as the trio searched and he looked at her guiltily,

"Are you alright?" he asked,

"You let him speak down to me as if I were nothing but dirt under his shoe. You let him accuse me of murder" she grumbled, not looking at him,

"Claire, you cannot blame his accusation... You did tell me that Christine would have to deal with you if she caused any trouble" Erik murmured and Claire looked at him horrified,

"How dare you..." she tried,

"We've found something" Fleck called as she was rooting through an air vent and pulled out an empty vial and a key to Christine's suite,

"That... That's not possible" Claire murmured as Erik made his way over to Fleck and took the bottle which he uncorked and took a sniff before shaking his head quickly in disgust,

"... Persian Snake Venom..." he mumbled before looking towards Claire firmly,

"Don't be ridiculous, Erik. Claire would never do this" Antoinette scolded,

"You know she wouldn't" Meg added firmly and Claire stepped towards him slowly with a sad expression,

"Do you truly believe that I could do this?... She had Charles with her, Erik... He's three years old. I would never make a child lose their parent... I lost my son, remember?... I know that pain. I would never force it on anyone" Claire told him desperately,

"... You were jealous... All that anger for everything that has happened to you in the past must have built up inside of you... You hated her and knowing my past feelings for her you must have snapped..." Erik grumbled more to himself, clenching his fists as Claire slowly shook her head,

"No..." she murmured,

"You... YOU MURDERED HER!" Erik yelled, launching at her but she dived backwards and Fleck, Squelch and Gangle were forced to tackle their employer as Claire quickly had no choice but to flee upon the encouragement of Meg and Madame Giry.

Erik had the whole island searched but there was no sign of Claire,

"I want her found!" Erik growled and Darius held a hidden smirk,

"Have no fear, my friend. You'll get exactly what you deserve" he told him before heading off to 'help with the search'.

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TheAuthor1996