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Bang, bang! Pause. Bang, bang! Pause.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfPcLfcsbj
A repeating rhythmical pound of a ball bounced across the office back and forth. From the hand to one corner of the room onto the desk and back to the hand.
In the center of the office stood a desk staffed with amounts of paper, files and books in a careless fashion.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXTOYESwwN
Around the small room stood small shelves filled with leather bound books. In one other corner upon a small wooden table stood a bowl with decanter filled with cold water and above them a small wooden framed mirror was hung on the wall. All the walls of the small office were painted in plain pine tree green. The floor was parquetted with firm oak. On one wall was a small window overlooking a busy side street of Paris.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LG52cjLvK
The ball continued to bounce on the same location, the empty corner, desk and the hand.
A young man in his mid 20s sat in his wooden office chair. Leaning back and letting one arm hang over the backrest. His crossed legs were half on the desk and piles of paper. He wore a sand coloured long arm shirt with long coffee black trousers and dark expanders over his broad shoulders. His long wavy hair was raven black and reached to his shoulders. The yaw and upper lip were clean-shaven. His big grey eyes were half closed glancing beyond the window. He gave a sigh and continued bouncing the ball.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6ruuZtCWi
"Bonjour old friend! You seem very bored." Popped a young man with a boyish face on one side of the door frame. Upon his clean-shaven face was a broad grin and held half hidden behind his back a folded newspaper.
"What makes you think that I am bored, Jean?" Gave the man sarcastic with a dry grin; facing slowly to Jean at the door as Jean entered.
"Have you read the news today? Some dead woman was found in the Seine. New facts have been revealed!" Gave Jean excitedly while showing the article on the desk and tapping with a finger at the article.
"Oh that story. It's a closed case for me. That woman was murdered because of money; the same old reason nearly in every case I've had till now. Boring, boring, boring. A person killed because of this, because of that. Can't I solve for once here in Paris a case where a person or object has gone missing, or at least something in that direction?"857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG1Yj2Eo7K
"Sorry if I annoyed you Daniel. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Jean looked questioned at Daniel.
"No, not that I know. I'm sorry Jean; it's just I'm bored. I need some case; give me work!" Daniel sighed.
"And the piles of paper won't suffice?" Wondered Jean sarcastic crossing his arms with a smirk.
"They're already done."
"Oh really!" Gave Jean suspiciously and picked up a sheet. "It looks blank to me." And showed a blank paper.
"Yesterday I've some sketching so I pulled out some blank sheets." Explained Daniel and pulled from a pile few sheets of fine pencil sketches of people.
"Some." Scoffed Jean amazed. "It looks a lot to me and how on earth can you afford so much paper and pencil of its finest quality?"
"Have you ever heard of spending money?" Asked Daniel with a grin.
"Oui but in a different fashion, not for paper or pencil."
"There you go; everyone spends money in its own fashion." And grabbed the newspaper from Jean’s hands. Quickly he turned few pages and held it up.
There was a knock. Daniel quickly lowered the newspaper.
Stood by the door two men totally pale and had dark rings under their eyes. "We are the new owners of the Opera Populaire. This is my friend André and I'm Firmin, which one of you is detective Daniel?" Introduced Firmin wearily and asked, moving a pointed finger between Daniel and Jean.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3wJseYP0x
"I'm Daniel and this is my friend Jean." Gave Daniel standing up and gestured a hand to Jean.
"It is of the utmost confidential, detective." Noted André serious and suppressed a yawn.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLfQdKE7Oi
"I see; Jean if you please." Gave Daniel politely to Jean.
Jean went out and closed the door behind him. Just as the door closed André opened his mouth to speak. Daniel quickly halted him with gesture of a finger and headed to the door. He opened the door and saw Jean eye to eye. "Confidential Jean, please. They're my clients."857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC86vd1LSD
Jean rolled his eyes with an annoyed sigh and walked off.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbu6TgsbOO
"Pardon for my intrusion the moment before. Jean is a good lad but too young to be here. Now pray take a seat and tell me gentlemen what keeps you away from a good night's rest?"857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZbcudjyvz
André and Firmin blinked at each other for a short moment of surprise. Then took their seats and faced Daniel. Daniel seated in his chair and give his fullest attention.
With some hesitation Firmin began after throwing a brief glance to André. "Do you attend to the opera, detective Daniel?"857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCEWZMMIPp
"No, unless a case leads me there."
"Then we presume you haven't heard of the opera ghost."
"Only a word once or twice on the streets. Please gentlemen come to the point."857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK4mfNPf60
"Well this ghost has cost us a lot of trouble since we came. There has been nothing but disasters. Frightening the audience with a hideous sense of humor and costing our nerves." Firmin paused. "Until now we've done our best to keep it quiet to the press-"
"Yet over night we get far less audience than we have feared! That is the worst thing that can happen to an opera house." Interrupted André.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI8ToQhj47
Firmin quickly revealed a black-rimmed letter from his coat. "We are getting daily threats from that ghost. One thing we can be sure it is a man in flesh and blood."
Daniel examined the letter very closely and held it up to the window for some light. The letters were written in red ink with a thin felt fountainpen and the hand writing reminded that of a child’s yet the choice of words were that of an adult with education. The paper itself was one of the finest quality money can buy in Paris, thick and cream coloured aside the black rims. The seal that was broken had a dark wine red colour. What Daniel was able to make out, when holding the letter closed, a shape of a human skull as the full seal. A threatening letter in an open and exaggerated manner, like theater itself. If it is the Phantom’s handwriting then he is no ordinary man to encounter, mentally speaking. But if dictated to a child to write, why? To reveal none of his true personality and knew that the managers will bring it this far? What if not? What sort of man is he if that is his true handwriting?857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jkhZ5i2ry
Soon Daniel noticed the content of the letter and turned to André and Firmin. "Did the manager before you mention anything of this?"
"Yes he did." Answered André
"Then this clearly states that you haven't held to what others have done before you such as the salary which I can see is a high sum. Why not holding to it? Including box five."
"As you have mentioned it is a large sum. We need it for the stage prop in the future and at the moment repairing the damages that were caused by that so called ghost!" Noted Firmin angered.
“In addition box five is one of the best seats in the house.” Noted André. "It is absurd to leave it reserved for only one man who asks from us money."857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJalqVROwv
Daniel remained silent and listened carefully, sometimes wrote some notes on a blank paper.
"We want you to catch that miserable man, ghost or whatever he calls himself. Because last night we received news that he has also kidnapped a woman, a simple chorus girl who has been the understudy of our greatest opera singer and diva La Carlotta. Carlotta has lost her voice over last night during the performance and ever since cannot sing or even speak. Our nerves are close to an end! Please help us detective!" Begged Firmin.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5NqG2NukL
"By all means! Have I shown any refusal during this description of yours? I'll gladly take up your case!" Spoke Daniel excited and offered his hand to shake.
"Mérci, mérci! This news has lifted already a weight off our hearts." Thanked Firmin relived with a smile while shaking heartily hand with Daniel.
"I fear, you should not yet let weight the off your hearts. The case isn't solved or even close to be solved.” Daniel grinned with excitement. Eager to learn and know what sort of man the Phantom is he will encounter soon.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8mOFszSIL
"Don't fidget Garçon! Time doesn't wait! Those background sets need to be prepared for tonight." Called a chubby dark haired man with a thin beard and a bandage round his right hand from the stage to another man above on the catwalk annoyed.
It is a young man with a boyish face, short cut curly red hair behind the ears and plentiful freckles on his young clean-shaven face.
"Oui, monsieur Bouquet. I'm just about to be done." He called while quickly sorting the ropes and checking the knots.
"And remember, the rope has to be tied well! Accidents are forbidden to happen during any rehearsals or worse performances!" Barked Bouquet sternly and canted a small flask in a quick and careless fashion. Giving afterwards a loud sigh; rubbing the back of his hand over his lips and placed the flask into a inner pocket of his brown leather vest.
"How are things going with our new garçon?" Asked the man who found Bouquet wounded the other day to Bouquet. Throwing a short glance upward to see the red haired young man.
"He's young and new to it but not bad as a beginner I would say." Responded Bouquet with a grin and followed the glance upward.
"Bon. Take care of your hand." Gave the man with a friendly pat on the shoulder and left the stage.
"Come on down! There are more tasks waiting to be done for today!" Barked Bouquet.
"I'm on my way!" Gave the red haired garçon with a crystal clear voice while climbing down the ladders. As he reached the ground of the stage he looked around. Bouquet was nowhere to be seen. "Bouquet? Where are you?" He wondered while walking across the other side of the stage. "Bouquet!" There was no response or even a sound. "If you are hiding again. It is this time not funny. What tasks do I have to do next?" Spoke garçon annoyed. He began to search for Bouquet behind the curtain and continued at the back of the stage. At one corner where many dark coloured curtains were tied together and few hastily laid props in front. Garçon noticed how one part of the curtain moved slightly. “Now I’ve found you.” Smiled garçon and quickly removed that curtain.
Garçon gasped as he came to realize what he saw before him. Right in front of further curtains, hanging from a rope hung Bouquet lifeless. His eyes staring in awe upwards to the ceiling while his head slightly hung on one side of his shoulders.
Within a flash he ran off the stage. Pursuing eagerly for a person. Very soon he found the man who spoke to Bouquet before hammering on a prop. Garçon halted abruptly right in front of him gasping out of breath and pale as snow.
"Calm down, Garçon. Take a deep breath." Soothed the man while stop hammering and placing his hands on Garçon's heaving shoulders as if helping to support the young lad.
"Bouquet is dead! Hanged! On the stage!" Panted Garçon.
The man's expression turned from contented and concerned to shocked. Immediately he headed to the stage. He froze as his eyes met the dreadful scene. "Mon dieu!" He gave in a whisper with widened eyes.
"We thought you were on the case detective Daniel! How could this happen?" Remarked Firmin angered, hammering a fist on Daniel's messy desk. The whole desk shook for a brief moment like an earthquake.
Daniel remained cool behind his desk and did not wince on Firmin's action. "Gentlemen, I agreed on taking the case. Nothing is over yet. My deep condolences for losing monsieur Bouquet."
"In the end he was useless. Luckily we found a younger and better lad to replace him." Sighed Firmin displeased and took his seat beside André.
"Useless? In what way was Bouquet useless?" Leaning his elbows on the desk and his pale fingers meet to a point; shaping the tip of a mountain.
"Bouquet lost nearly a finger two weeks ago by an accident. How it happened we have not the faintest idea but Bouquet claimed it was 'the Ghost'. We never believed him; he always had a strong habit of drinking."857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpJU7QFUdW
"So you believe it was all connected with his drunkenness?" Daniel gave a twitch of an eyebrow of doubt.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5dx7OHXY2
"Tell us detective Daniel, what have you gathered so far?" Asked André greatly interested.
"Not much but I am on the move to solve this case." Answered Daniel honestly.
"That sounds promising. I beg you, give us a couple of details." Pleaded Firmin eagerly.
"The time isn't right to be told, yet messieurs. I promise you that soon the time is right. Now if you please excuse me, I have an appointment, which I cannot miss. Good day Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur André." Bid Daniel politely while dressing on his chocolate-brown English tweed blazer and black bowler.
He opened the door for Firmin and André. Daniel quickly shook hands and ran out of the office. Jean gave a confused look after Daniel and continued to write a report on his desk with a shaking head. Daniel ran quickly to the next closest alley and halted abruptly. Quick-witted turned round to see behind him. Leaning lightly against the brick wall. Soon the two opera owners were on sight on the street walking past Daniel unnoticed and discussing further about their problems in the opera. Daniel had to smirk and shake his head; he heard it clearly from the three meters distance of the men combined with noise of the street. Such as people yell to win attention to their stand to what they sell, drunkards singing, a blacksmith hammering, children screaming or laughing and few carriages of wagon rattling by...857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYCWSMaG5d
"Dear Monsieur, alms for an old and poor woman?" Suddenly begged an elderly woman from behind.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhahXNb8NL
Daniel faced behind to see the woman. She held a wrinkled hand out to him. He noticed that her clothes were dirty and worn but due to the fashion they were once one of its finest quality. Daniel detected that the woman was once rich. Quickly he pulled out of his pocket a small change worth about one French Franc.
"Mérci beaucoup Monsieur! And God bless you!" She thanked heartily while clasping the coin close to her heart.
"Spend it wisely Madame and my condolences of your loss many years ago." Spoke Daniel softly.
"How- how do you know?" She wondered surprised and blinked with widened eyes.
"It's my job to know." Responded Daniel coldly and headed out onto the streets. His eyes were focused on Firmin and André. He made sure of keeping a good distance from the men to avoid the suspicion. He was more cautious because he realized once he was outside. He regrets taking the coat and hat along, nevertheless that would have aroused suspicion due to what he was doing at this very moment. He cursed under his breath and trying to clear off that useless inner conflict.
Suddenly Daniel had the feeling of being watched. His big grey eyes began to wander as far the eyelid could give to see. Many people froze and stared at him nearly awe struck of terror. As if he were a monster or something unpleasant to look at. Daniel gave a slow casual turn to see behind him. Nothing distinctive. No one is following him and the sun was shining through the clouds. Daniel gave a sigh and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on a cool day in September.
"The sun? Mèrde! I shouldn't be under the sun! That explains the terrified look from the people. I have to get out of this street and follow the men on a different path!" Thought Daniel out loud under his breath while his eyes searched eagerly for an alley were he could disappear.
The people saw Daniel not as a normal man dressed in coat and hat under the sunlight but as a moving and talking shadow in total pitch black and clear grey eyes visible. As if they were the only part, which were not covered by a shadow or some black veil. After he realized his movements were all in a blur to the people's eyes and fast as lightening.
Daniel ran into a deserted alley and made a great leap to the rim of the roof above, elegantly and silently like a cat. Daniel threw a short glance down to the street. Few people were searching eagerly for his image and others blinked and continued on their work. Daniel gave a sigh of relief as he spotted the two opera owners again. Under the sun Daniel was still a shadow, even on the roofs of Paris. Yet farther away from prying eyes and confused glares. Onward he continued to follow Firmin and André. Leaping from roof to roof like a cat and sometimes running normal like a sportive man across balconies and big windows. His eyes wandered between the men on the street and what lie ahead of him by the roofs.
Suddenly his eyes stumbled upon something he did not expect. Well something; rather someone. Immediately Daniel halted. Due to his speed he slid half a meter onward on the tiles. "What the-?" Gave Daniel surprised to himself while focusing the person walking away from the two men. Suddenly he slipped and was fast enough to grip on the rim of the roof. Daniel groaned in pain through clenched teeth while his eyes remained focused upon what he so shortly noticed.
A woman appeared out of her hiding place from a market stand and ever since walking on the street. Throwing brief back glances with a worried expression and lightly out of breath.
Quickly Daniel calculated the height below and landed nicely, unnoticed in a small deserted alley. Immediately he set out in the same direction as the woman with help of the shadows that were cast on the street from the houses and buildings.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rPb7Y9yQS
He noticed that the woman had long curly chocolate-brown hair, pale complexion and beautiful large sky blue eyes. Daniel recognized the woman from a photo that was shown to him by André the other day. It was without a doubt Christine Daaé; the kidnapped understudy. She wore a black dress with a black bonnet and a small black purse.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGIorPAc47
For a long time Daniel followed her as inconspicuously as possible. At times halting and pretending to be interested in something else, then again following her by walking along the wall of a building while she walked in the middle of the street. At the end of the street she stopped because of the traffic in front of her.
Daniel took the chance to come near her and speak. He walked up next to her; throwing a short glance to her, to the road then back to her. "Mademoiselle Daaé?"
She faced him with widened eyes of surprise. Rapidly she ran across the road.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WPyrqFtQN
Immediately Daniel ran after her. Nearly an omnibus would have driven over her and Daniel. He halted and let the omnibus pass. The omnibus was faster than him to pass but he did not lost sight of Christine and remained close to her heels. Soon they were running down a street along the Seine; Daniel was fast enough to stop her by grabbing her hand.
"Let me go!" She cried out nearly out of breath, trying to shake off Daniel's pale strong hand.
"I will, if you answer me a few questions." Responded Daniel firmly and a calm voice.
Christine froze and stared at Daniel. After a moment she continued to struggle to free herself from Daniel’s grip. "I can't! I'm not even allowed to speak to you! He'll kill you! Let me go! Please!"
"Who's he? The one who held you the last few days? Tell me!" Daniel remarked eagerly. Placing the other hand on Christine’s other arm.
"I can't! I've promised!" She cried while looking away from Daniel; tears were rolling down her pale cheeks.
"I'm a detective, I'm here to help and protect you."
"You can't protect me! He's too clever! He is everywhere! He hears and sees things that other people don't! Once he has found you, you'll be dead!"
"I am trained. I am a not an ordinary detective that you think. I don't work for the police. I work for my own accord."
"And that is my assurance against him? No! I don't want to betray him after all what he has done for me. Please, let me go." Christine spoke calmer still fighting to liberate herself.
"Then you where not kidnapped?" Asked Daniel surprised with widened eyes.
Christine shook her head and sniffed.
For a moment Daniel stared at Christine of amazement. From her eyes he knew she was telling the absolute truth. "So he hasn't done any harm to you?"
"No he hasn't. He swore to me that he has no intention of harming me."
"Then why were other people killed? For what?"
"I presume for different reasons. Some were unlucky to have seen his face. Then others like Bouquet, blaming him for all the accidents or making fun out of him."
"The Phantom, who is he?" Daniel’s face came slightly closer of eagerness.
"I can't tell you! Let go of me!" Remarked Christine, struggling to free herself.
Suddenly a man paced up to Christine and Daniel. "How dare you hold a lady in such a fashion!" He barked at Daniel while freeing Christine with his white, gloved strong hands.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQjQp2orbZ
Daniel noticed the man had about the same height like he did. Only with the black top hat the man appeared huge. He wore the clothes of a high society, like that of a professor or minister. He was slim with a thick nut-brown beard and wearing a monocle at the left eye.
"This is none of your concern, monsieur!" Gave Daniel furious to the man.
"Oh, if you think so why don't we ask the young lady here." Remarked the bearded man.
Daniel and the man faced to Christine. She was gone.
"Mérci beaucoup monsieur!" Recalled Daniel to the man angered and walked off. Dug his fists into his blazer pockets and gave a snort.
The well-dressed man with the beard and monocle watched how the detective walked out of sight amongst the crowd, fisting into his pockets and lowering the hat. The bearded man began to grin very broadly. Soon he turned round and walked down the street from where Christine and Daniel came. After about a half an hour walk he mounted the steps of the opera house and entered through the main entrance. The cleaning staff greeted him politely, he responded back politely. While mounting further stairs and walking down a long corridor he soon halted at a door. The door held the names of the two new opera owners. He knocked.
There was no answer. Quietly he turned the handle. It was locked. The bearded man drew out from his coat pocket a special metallic device and began to fumble around the lock. Within seconds there was a click. He turned the handle and entered. The office was clean, organized and bright due to the big windows. Out of an inner pocket from his coat he presented two envelopes rimmed in black with the wine red skull wax seal onto the desk. As quickly as possible and quietly he locked the door and headed to the end of the corridor and made a sharp turn to the right. On the blood red painted wall opposite of him hung an oval shaped portrait presenting a city at nighttime.
Gently he placed his white-gloved hands on the sides of the portrait and pushed it smoothly into the wall. As the portrait was about five centimeters inwards, the sound of some metallic mechanism was shifted and the rattling of chains. At that sound he lets go of the picture and paced onwards down the short hallway ahead of him. He halted few meters further and leaned against the wall that was nearly entirely covered with a single huge tapestry. Underneath it a part of the wall began to open inwards like a door. Quickly he slid under the tapestry and walked through the secret door.857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswVwkcC5gX
Sorry for the long entry. If you haven't noticed this is the middle part of my crossover that I once started writing. You can find the complete crossover on https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10581391/1/Cloaks-Masks857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOwNVvAqiX
Spoiler Alert: Daniel is Dracula857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN5vE4dcPC
Hope you like reading it as I did writing it. ^.^857Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ebPzFaH9
