The dragon's eye

Chapter 2: Meeting Lector

Hannibal's cell

7:00Am

He allowed them to do the natural routine, feeling nothing as they handcuffed him and took him retrained out his cell and down the left hall so he could wall around his small gym sized room. Strolling around, he could think on all he'd seen, done and read out the newspaper. Will was a good detective… just a bit blind sighted. If he'd read the signs properly, he could have avoided all the nasty scars he'd gained.

To think on the matter, his little admirer was still out on the streets, hiding away and laying low for a while. They'd recently thought he'd died in a fire at his aunt's mansion… but he knew better than them all. One stray letter to him was all it took to confirm his thoughts… he was alive.

A loud buzz sounded above and instantly lector stopped his walking. Two guards came towards him and started mechanically tying him up again securely. It was for safety reasons, more theirs than his own.

It was 10 minutes later, when he finally arrived at his cell. The guards for some strange reason were not as relaxed as usual. They looked more tired around the eyes and a slightly twitch in their movement signalled their nervousness. He didn't know why…. Which was very unsettling.

He'd not done a thing to even spark any of the anxiety, but it was there. In every bead of sweat that ran down their faces, in there tired eyes and once sluggish movements with him. So why suddenly today, did they decide to wake up?

He got his answer at 9:00am that day.

He'd been sitting down, eating away the amount of food they rationed to him, when a guard appeared at his cell door. "Hey Lector, you've got some guests coming in 10 minutes. You know the drill. No taking anything off them or reaching for them through the bars… you will be punished if you do. Answer whatever questions you can and if you need anything, the guard will be stationed just down the hall". The guard gave Lector a small nod to let him know he was serious, which lector only gave in reply a toothy grin that seemed to spook the man instantly.

Guests came and went with him… reporters most the time. Who were these ones who were coming any different from the rest. It took a few days for any one to set up an appointment with him and he was told well in advance. Why was there someone coming in just 10 minutes.

He'd see who they were and if it all turned out to be more boring than interesting, he would send them on their way. He didn't have very interesting days, but having guests that just want to jump down your throat with pathetic questions.

Outside in the waiting area

Leonard and Matt sat in the seats near the door, readying themselves for something unexpected. Dr. Frederick Chilton appeared through the double plastic doors, almost waltzing towards them with a smile.

"Gentlemen, so sorry to keep you waiting-" he allowed his eyes to quickly flicker on the two of them, trying to use his psychological experience to gain some information.

"I was busy in a staff meeting, but I'm here now, so…" He signalled to follow him and had Leonard and Matt quickly on his tail. The sternness on their faces made having his back to them cause a nervous sweat run on his face.

The walk to his office was far too long for him, and as soon as he entered the dulling grey room, he swung around to close the door behind the arriving guests. After all, he wanted to make an impression.

Leonard and Matt were in the room in a flicker of an eye, not even looking at Chilton as they took seats in front of his desk. He clenched his jaw before taking his place in front of the two men, unaware of the secret looks passing between the two.

He settled in his seat, trying to seem calm and collected, but they couldn't miss the beads of sweet suddenly on his forehead.

"So Gentlemen, I must say, in your cases this is most strange for someone to be able to just walk right in and have an appointment… especially with Doctor Lector".

Something flickered behind Chilton's eyes that signalled he'd wanted something from the older man for years now.

Matt squinted as Leonard cleared his throat and stopped all of Chilton's bickering. Chilton clearly didn't know how to react as his forehead creased repeatedly, unsure of how to answer to such a response. Clearly, none of his staff acted the same way when he babbled away like a fool.

"Mr Chilton, we're wasting time here. We've already cleared it with the right people and have full access to Dr Lector. Now, if you don't mind, we would like to get started…"

Matt watched as Chilton shot his eyes across the two of them, but again he gained nothing he wanted and sourly said, "…Very well. Barney will show you to Lector's cell now". Rising up with some speed, he used large steps, ragged the door open and stuck his head out, shouting Barney's name loud enough to deafen any one outside. Seconds ticked by before Barney appeared in view, a slum look on his face that said he knew something was up with Chilton again. "Barney, please show these gentlemen to Lectors cell. It might make them think a bit more differently about him".
He flushed out the room without looking back at Matt or Leonard, his face growing pink from anger.

Barney blew out a deep breath, slowly coming into the room with a knowing look on his face for Matt and Leonard. "Just you two… I think I should say that Lector's-" "Dangerous… we know. When we get there, we would like to be left while we question him". Leonard rose up from his seat and Matt was a second behind him, being lead by Barney out the room and down the corridor, towards the cells.

They all walked behind each other in a line, Barney leading them down the griming corridors. They came to the cage doors and barney pulled out a pack of keys that jingled madly for being used. They grinded in the lock, allowing the door to screech open and allow them all to pass through.

As soon as they passed through another set of thick metal double doors, they entered the long grey corridor, littered with the cells. As if to signal they had arrived, the glowing blue light overhead flickered and buzzed.

"Dr Lector's cell is at the very bottom. There are a few chairs down there that we left for you guys, and if there is any problems just call up here, I'll be waiting at the door. Also, don't hand him anything sharp or pointy. So no pens don't go beyond the white line and no personal information. If that's it, he's all your…"

Leonard thanked Barney and made his way down the grey corridor, ignorant of the yells and cries that emitted from the different cells and continued to walk unfazed down to the very bottom cell.

Matt wasn't far behind him, trying not to allow his eyes to flicker to the cells as they passed, but it was hard. In some, the occupants were asleep, while other screamed madly or abusive at them as they passed.

Matt shivered unconsciously as he passed the cell before Lector's. A young man around mid 20's sat with his head leaning forwards on the bars, eyes boring into them with insanity.

"James is shy gentlemen… insane, but very shy when new guests come to visit". The voice was smooth as ice, flowing free from the last cell that almost made Matt's feet melt to the floor.

Finally arriving at the last cell, he saw the face of the man he'd seen in the various newspaper photos on the articles 'Hannibal's meaty mind'. He didn't like to think about any of the other titles that had been posted in the paper about Lector.

"Good Evening Gentlemen, please take a seat. I'm sure there is much for us all to discuss together". Matt didn't want to stare too long at him, as those eyes of Lector's seemed to seek out weaknesses inside everyone.

Leonard smirked at Lector, grabbed the two chairs positions against the near wall and set them up. He sat down and continued to smirk at Lector, trying to keep his eyes off Matt, as he knew the younger man was rather worried.

"So Doctor Lector, my companion and I are here to question you about a few cases that are an interest of the police. If you'd be so kind as to listen to us and hopefully answer".

Lector's curious eyes dragged away from Matt, "But of course… wouldn't like to be rude to you nice gentlemen". His eyes hovered back to Matt, who took a seat next to Leonard. "Your friend seems very fidgety… worried over something".

Leonard looked over at Matt who cast his eyes wearily back and forth between the two men. " I guess you could say that". Leonard's eyes became stern and bore into Matt as if telling him something.

Lector smiled his toothy grin, seeing this and directing this grin at Matt, watching him fidget under his gaze, "I see…"

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Tunder28