I couldn't hear much through my bloody ear, but it sounded like Christine's voice. Still, I had to be dreaming, because of the string of abuse that cut through the air. Bastard this, burn in hell that; not my Christine.
"Here--my marriage certificate, signed by the bishop! What have you to say now, you pig!"
Pig? I scrambled to my feet, struggling to see down the corridor.
"Christine?"
"ERIK!" I heard scuffling. "Let me past," she hissed.
I brushed my cheek against the bars, telegraphing a caress as I surrendered to tears.
"You shouldn't be here, Angel," I called.
Several voices reached me through the commotion of inmates. Christine, still calling perdition down on the police. Raoul, taking his authority for granted, arguing with Ratman, it sounded like. Reza shouted to me in Persian, begging me to stay calm and keep my mouth shut. The children are fine, safe at home with Manon and Silke, he added.
I heard footsteps and a moment later Christine appeared. She was a vision, her hair barely contained, wearing a simple rose-colored day dress. The drunkards and thieves hooted as she passed; my rage flared. I roared and rattled the cage. Reza called out to me again to settle myself.
Then she was with me, her hands covering mine, her lips straining toward my forehead.
"God, look at you—"
"Darling, where are your gloves?" I worried.
"MONSTERS!" she shrieked! "Is this how France treats an innocent man?"
Raoul nodded a solemn greeting, squeezed Christine's shoulders. "Christine…"
"Look at him, Raoul!" she spat, fighting angry tears.
"Who is this delectable wildcat you've brought me, gentlemen?"
"It's not funny, Erik," Christine scolded, brushing her cheek against my hand. My arms ached for her.
"I know it isn't, Angel. You're quite the tigress, I won't argue with you."
"Can't you admit her?" Raoul called back to the guards. "She's his wife, for God's sake!"
"He is too dangerous, Monsieur le Comte."
Christine unleashed an impressive litany of blasphemy in reply.
"Darling, you swear like a professional," I whispered.
Reza moved closer. "Erik, you don't know who you can trust here," trying to explain why he'd reverted to Persian.
"They read off this list of names to me—"
Reza translated to Raoul. It was hard to concentrate with Christine pulling me as close as the bars permitted, fussing at my condition.
Raoul nodded. "They've got a list of all the people who've gone missing, any unsolved murders for the last twenty years."
The weight of my predicament drove me to my knees. Christine followed me to the floor, crushing me painfully against the bars. "No, no, no," she whispered. "Don't give in to this, Erik."
"Christine," I puffed. I wanted so desperately to settle. I needed to settle for her, but I was making a mess of it.
"Don't give in to this!" she screamed, hysterical. Raoul drew her away and did what he could for her.
"Raoul is working to find out who is behind this," Reza murmured. "Erik, there must be someone. Meanwhile, you've got to—"
"Don't tell me to be patient, Reza, you know I can't stay here!" With Christine distracted, I was free to tremble and fall apart momentarily. "I can't even breathe properly—"
"Erik, I know," he soothed. "Look, Raoul is making inquiries, but until we learn who's behind this, you must hang on."
"Take care of her," I pleaded. "Whatever happens!"
"You know I will. Don't worry, we're all looking after one another. Listen, have a look for a tubby officer with a wrapping on his hand. The bear bit the devil out of him." Reza fell to uncontrollable laughter. "'Leave my sister!' He was fighting like a bull, you'd've been proud."
I laughed, too. It was a cleansing moment, for as long as it lasted.
"I want my babies, Reza," I sobbed.
"Hush, now, your wife's coming." He moved aside to let Christine have me back.
"Raoul's doing everything he can, my love," she chattered brightly. "We'll bring you home the moment we can. I don't understand why we can't bring you home now."
Her façade was crumbling. "I don't understand…"
"Don't cry, woman. I can bear anything as long as I know you're holding up." I kissed her hands, front and back. "Mmm, you smell delicious. Wait til I get home." I held her as close as possible, drawing nourishment from her proximity.
"Don't say anything to them, Erik," Raoul urged. "What have you told them?"
"They read a list of names, asked me if I'd killed them. I said no, I didn't know any of them. They wanted to know here I lived, what I did for money. Did someone tell them I killed all those people, then?"
"No," Raoul scoffed. "They're just looking for someone to hang it all on. Someone put them onto the infamous Phantom, and there you have it. We need to find out who put them onto you, and why."
"I can't stay here, Beauty," my voice cracked.
"They're just bureaucrats, Erik, looking for an easy road to a promotion and their name in the papers. Don't harm anyone; don't harm yourself. I'm working as diligently as I can; please give me time."
I nodded.
"We'll come see you tomorrow."
"I'll bring you supper," Christine said.
"No, the babies need you, Angel. I'm alright."
"You're not alright!" She broke down again. "You're locked up and hurt!"
"And everything is strange at home. I'm not there, and you're upset. Masson doesn't understand. He's frightened. The little princess doesn't know why, but she can smell it on Mama that something is wrong. Please, come tomorrow if you can. Take care of my babies tonight."
"Come along, Christine," Reza drew her away. I kept her fingertips as long as I could. She tore my soul away when we lost contact. I heard her at the end of the corridor, my lioness.
"He's not a young man, you bastards! There'd better not be another freckle on him tomorrow!"