Jack had been just about done, Miriam was fine and Alana had spoken to her. She was shaken up, as would be expected but she was fine. It would be a slow process, however, getting her to identify the Ripper.
The day was almost done for him and he counted on it as he made his way to his office for one last curtain call.
He was late though and for some odd reason, he dreaded the outcome. He opened the door to his office quickly and took a step in but all was still. He was subsequently astonished. Doctor Guido Artz was there as was requested and she was so much like Hannibal in the way she was seated that it made him do a double take. Legs crossed, leaning to one side with her hands folded neatly on her knee. She appeared to be staring off into space, however, one thing was yet to be seen; Hannibal always conveyed a mild sense of disapproval when left waiting for too long so, since he'd had her waiting for a good twenty minutes, he wondered if the outcome would be the same. He didn't think Hannibal meant it but it was unpleasant all the same.
He shut the door with a soft click and braced.
She turned around and upon seeing who it was she stood up and smiled warmly – no sign of disapproval at all. Jack felt himself relax and he smiled back and started forward to take her hand in greeting,
"Doctor Artz, good to see you,"
"Likewise,"
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long," he continued as he rounded his desk to take a seat opposite her, "Once again, it's been a long day,"
She took seat too, almost floating down,
"I wouldn't worry too much about it,"
She looked different today; her hair was in a bun and she was wearing a different pair of black trousers with a black shirt and white blouse and heels. Boots, he imagined. He had to comment,
"No All Stars today I see,"
She shook her head and glanced down at her feet,
"I miss them,"
"I miss my pyjamas,"
She smiled softly again, she seemed to get that Jack meant that in all seriousness. She waited for him to continue – he appreciated that as well. He had enough of a push that day not to be urged on to get to the point quickly. Especially because it was a sketchy point which he wasn't too pleased about having to get to in the first place. He sighed,
"On another note, Doctor Artz, the reason I asked Alana – uh – Doctor Bloom to approach you and the reason I called you here is because our little team is in a little bit of a crisis – "
"I approached Doctor Bloom,"
"I'm sorry?"
"I feel it important to tell you that I approached Doctor Bloom, not the other way around. I overheard her talking to someone else about the matter and I was fascinated so, I am a little ashamed to tell you, I used my seniority to gain access,"
She did look a little guilty; it was amusing but most people would choose to stay away from a case like this.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it," he repeated her own words back to her knowingly,
"Anyway, we've got a friend against a friend here and we're a close-knit team, we're practically a family. We can't snoop around each other and the problem is one is incarcerated and is blaming the hell out of someone else, Doctor Lecter, you know him?"
"Of him," she nodded,
"One of many,"
"I'm sure. Please," she gestured for him to carry on, "Continue,"
He did,
"Doctor Lecter and Doctor Bloom both diagnosed him with encephalitis but he's claiming sanity and we have to investigate Doctor Lecter and we have but what bothers me is…"
"You think that you haven't done it properly because he's a friend. I've got it,"
"I may have missed something because I don't want to see it,"
"What about the man who is incarcerated?"
"His name's Will Graham and he was my friend too,"
"Was?" her eye-brow perked up and she cocked her head, she knew better and so did Jack,
"Is,"
Suddenly it dawned on him – she had an accent, subtle but noticeable. When he first met her, there wasn't enough that was said for him to realise it but here in the quiet when their space was calm, he picked it up. Her unusual name would make more sense if it meant she wasn't from Baltimore. It truly was subtle though – the origin unclear as it sounded like a mixture of things, having been in the States for so long must have tainted it somewhat and made it difficult to tell,
"Doctor Artz, you have an unusual name,"
"German,"
"Ah, really?"
"Indeed, German family – I was born in Germany and then when I was nine, we moved to Ghana and then I left and went back to Europe and spent most of that time in Scotland where I studied and then I found myself here,"
"Ghana huh? What put you there?"
"My Father was in the military,"
"What happened?" the atmosphere darkened somewhat along with Artz eyes, despite her distant smile, "Long story I'd rather not get into, forgive me,"
"No need," Jack gathered some papers and knocked them on the desk as he always did to signal the end drawing nearer, "Well, Doctor, can you be our outsider and…well…"
"Define sanity?" she offered ironically and Jack had to chuckle,
"Yeah, clear 'em all,"
"I can do my best. I'll have to talk to them both though I'm sure you are aware,"
"Of course, Will Graham is who you'll be looking for in the Baltimore State Prison and Doctor Lecter, if you enjoy fancy dinner parties and such, you can meet at next week's social gathering – if you will. I'll be sure to tell him you're coming although I'm sure you'll meet him before then,"
She nodded,
"No doubt but I can only offer you my best," she stated again, as if clearing herself of responsibility for any future mishaps. He accepted that. She didn't seem to say much more than was necessary and it seemed like such a genuine trait – she certainly was an interesting character this one.
They stood and Jack showed Doctor Artz to the door at which they shook hands again and he opened it to find Doctor Bloom getting ready to knock,
"Doctor Artz!" Alana's face was one of shock, "Jack,"
"Doctor Bloom," Artz smiled, "I'll be seeing you soon, both of you I'm sure. Don't hesitate to call if there's anything else,"
She smiled and left while Jack and Alana waved her off and away,
"Alana," Jack greeted her, drawing Alana's attention away from Artz. She turned and followed suit as Jack stepped aside to let her in. She took a seat when Jack had rounded his desk to take his own for the umpteenth time that day,
"So what do you think?" Alana crossed her legs and sat back while Jack placed his hands under his chin in a sort of pyramid, his position of thought,
"She's different," which was true,
"She's smart, Jack," which was also true, "Weirdly so, I dare say she'd give Hannibal a run for his money,"
"She's good? You sure?"
"I have no doubt,"
"How do you know her?"
"Can't really remember – we weren't in the same class if not even in the same year – no idea. I really don't know much about her, really. She approached me,"
"I heard,"
"Oh, she told you?"
"She looked guilty," Jack's lips quirked up at the memory,
"Ha, no, she approached me and bombarded me with reasons why she would love to help that I couldn't not just say 'yes'. The other guy I was chatting to, to take the job didn't seem to interested,"
"Hmm…well," Jack dropped his hands, his feelings on the matter still in a wee bit of turmoil but trust and all will be well, "I suppose we'll wait and see,"
"I guess so,"
OoOoOoO
Alana left Jack's office with Hannibal Lecter in mind and to Hannibal Lecter she found her car being driven. She knocked three times and leaned on the doorframe. He opened it, his sleeves rolled up, apron on, hair dishevelled; he'd been cooking,
"Alana," he smiled and stepped aside to allow her to pass. She glided through the door, her thoughts dragging behind her. She allowed Hannibal to gather them for her,
"A penny for them?"
"We've got a new doctor involved in our dealings,"
"We do," Hannibal started for the kitchen drawing a hand out in front of him for her to follow. He dug into his fridge and paused for a minute, contemplating that which lay within, before he gracefully slid it across and took out a beer for Alana, handing it to her with a knowing wink,
"Thanks," she toasted him and continued, "Jack's still suspicious of everything so he's brought her in to do a little more brain work, if you will,"
"I will. Who is…"
"She, her name is Doctor Guido Artz,"
"Ah, from Europe…Doctor Artz," Hannibal continued with his work, whipping up the eggs like there was no tomorrow.
"Yeah, I would think so. To be honest, I don't know much about her. She approached me about the case when she overheard me talking to someone else about it,"
"Someone with an eye and ear for detail,"
"She definitely is," Alana snorted, "She's someone who could make you shake in your boots,"
"How so?" Hannibal looked up, bemused,
"She's almost like a replica of you,"
"Hmm…"
Alana watched Hannibal's face contort into an expression she'd never seen before. She didn't know where to place it – anger? No. Disapproval? Was it possible that Hannibal Lecter was discontent with having another like him? Alana only realised how intently she was watching Hannibal when he looked up with raised eyebrows and a look of bewilderment,
"Alana put that frown away; it has no place in my kitchen,"
"Sorry," she shook her head,
"What were you thinking?"
"About you and your face,"
His face softened and he cocked his head,
"Your verdict?"
"Not sure,"
"Come Alana, you were my best student, what's your verdict?"
"You're unpredictable,"
Hannibal chuckled,
"I wonder what Doctor Artz would think of that," he smirked as if he had come up with a way to make himself, once again, indistinguishably different from Artz. Alana felt her frown again; something was telling her that Lecter knew more about Artz than he was letting on,
"Hannibal?"
"Hmm?"
"Have you heard of her?"
"In passing, yes," he looked up again, "Why? Am I giving away too much?" he teased but Alana wasn't so sure,
"Too little," she tried to tease back but it didn't feel right. Hannibal ignored her serious jest and didn't change the subject and instead sent it in a direction that would be easier to deal with,
"I expect I'll be seeing her at my dinner party next week, then?"
"Yes,"
"You will be there too, yes?"
"Of course," she responded as if it were the world's dumbest question taking a flirtatious sip of her beer,
"Good. It'll be good to have old friends for dinner again,"
It was late when Alana left, 11pm to be exact. She was beginning to wonder if telling Hannibal about Artz's involvement was the right thing to do – Jack might well be extremely peeved about her being an informant. But then again, who was he to keep questioning Hannibal's innocence? She felt all her guilt slip away to be replaced by her previous rage against Jack about the matter. Sure, he was confused, they all were but Will had been proven guilty, the evidence was unbelievably compelling and on two occasions when the Ripper had struck true and Jack had come knocking; Alana had come storming down the stairs in Hannibal's shirt and proved her point.
Jack, after both instances left in a state disbelief fused with horror. It may have been comical but Alana was too angry to see the humour at the time.
On her way home, in her fury, she got the strong desire for a Hot Chocolate. It was her source of comfort when shit went downhill, fast. She pulled over at a local, late night coffee shop about 10 minutes from her house and walked in only to find none other than Doctor Artz sitting there with a pile of papers, a pen and not one but two empty coffee mugs and a third in her hand – 12pm by that time,
"Doctor Artz?" Alana stopped a few meters from her table. Artz looked up, her eyes heavy but her legs were buzzing, the caffeine working on the energy alas the exhaustion all but extinguished,
"Doctor Bloom, I am surprised,"
"So am I," Alana's eyes were wide, she knew, she genuinely – was in a state of astonishment, "What are you doing here so late?"
Artz sighed and looked down at her papers, endless scribbles of smart words in the wrong places. Alana knew exactly what that was,
"Marking essays, I told my students I'd have it done by tomorrow but given the circumstances, that was the worst idea I have ever had,"
Alana grimaced,
"Do you mind if I join you?"
"Please,"
She made a quick order for her drink of desire and made her way back to sit down opposite Doctor Artz,
"So," said she, "What brings you here in the middle of the night?"
"On my way home from visiting a friend…I live around the corner,"
"Oh right,"
"Yeah, I wanted my Hot Chocolate,"
"Fair enough," Artz raised her coffee mug to her thin lips and took a sip before placing the mug down in submission, "I've only just started these and there are 133 people in my class. I'm not going to finish this am I?"
Alana shook her head and gave Artz her honest answer,
"No,"
"Well then," Artz dropped her pen and looked up, content with her decision.
"I was at Doctor Lecter's house," Alana started, "I think I should put this out there now."
"Ok,"
"I do not think, at all, that Doctor Lecter is in anyway guilty. The evidence against Will Graham is undeniable and therefore, I'm sorry to say, but I do think your being involved is a bit of a waste of your time. Especially when you have 133 essays to mark,"
"133, 3 page essays to mark," Artz corrected scornfully but upon returning to the topic, her face regained its assertiveness, "I understand. Thanks for telling me,"
"No problem, I just – you know - I apologise in advance,"
One beat went by as the two women considered each other,
"Did you go and see Doctor Lecter specifically to tell him of my involvement?"
The question caught Alana off-guard and the expression on Artz's face didn't ease the shock either and what was worse, Alana wasn't particularly sure. Her relationship with Hannibal Lecter had changed dramatically over the course of two weeks and now whenever she went to him she wasn't sure whether it was for the sex, for the food, the comfort, the man or as the informant…or all of the above. It wasn't necessarily Artz's business anyway,
"No, I went there because I could and it just came up as most things do. We're both in the same situation, there's not much we hide," of all the truths she had told that day, that wasn't one of them and Artz seemed to pick that up instantly but said nothing of it.
"I'm sure Doctor Lecter has nothing to hide,"
Alana could feel the uncertainty below that statement. And so it should be, she guessed. She was there to figure out who was who in this mess and do a better job of it – she was there to do a job. But Alana felt the anger rise again.
"Will you be talking to Will Graham as well?"
"Of course," Artz's eyes softened and Alana felt instantly relieved, the tension was over, "I plan to see him tomorrow evening, with Jack's permission,"
"With Doctor Chilten's permission as well," Alana added, bitterness on the tip of her tongue,
"You'll find out soon enough,"
"Sounds exciting," Artz leant back in her chair in perplexity.
"It's not as bad as it sounds, he's just infuriating,"
"Ah,"
Alana took the last sip of her Hot Chocolate and said her goodbyes to Doctor Guido Artz who waved her off with an uncharacteristic peace sign but then again, Alana still wasn't sure of Doctor Artz's character at all. She felt very much like Jack looked after his encounter with Artz: Uncertain.
OoOoOoO
As Alana left, a man waited in the shadows. Once Alana had driven off, this man made his own way into the coffee house towards Doctor Artz who had bravely taken up her pen once more to attempt to mark again but when the man pulled up the chair and took a seat uninvited; all was instantly forgotten as the look of determined concentration on her face gave way to expectant disbelief, as if she couldn't believe her luck was as bad as it was and yet she should have seen it coming. She leant back elegantly and crossed her legs,
"Well…that was a little faster than I anticipated,"
The man admired her blasé attitude towards him. He admired a great many things about her including her indifference – a knew trait he gave himself credit for – as well as her persistence,
"Wasn't it?"
She nodded and waited for him to continue; he could feel her rage and as his eyes swooped down her body, reliving the moment when he plunged his knife deep into her stomach. Hers was a miraculous recovery. He imagined what the scar looked like and smiled. When his eyes swooped back up and met hers, he felt as if their battle was starting again and so he bought her a cup of coffee and leant back and there they sat.
