Clear Blue Eyes
Disclaimer: Don't own a thing
AN: I posted two chapters in a row because they are already available on ao3. I forgot to add it here. This is an exception and is not likely to happen again.
Chapter 2
Jack stared down at the body as Brian Zeller examined it. He waited impatiently as the investigator took his sweet time. Thomas Graham's body had more lacerations than the usual Ripper victim. Zeller seemed to be looking them over one by one carefully. Jack liked his agents to be thorough but this was taking it to another level.
"Well? What can you tell me?" He asked standing with his hands crossed over his chest.
"I'm not done yet, sir." Zeller sang out. "I'll tell you what I know as soon as I am but until then you'll just have to wait."
He sighed in frustration. Everything in this case had him on edge from the body to the kid. It did not help matters that his boss hounding him for information was not helping matters. Not to mention the fact that the press was going wild at the moment. Apparently, Freddie Lounds had seen fit to write yet another one of her articles and had included a video of him trying to restrain the kid at the scene of the crime. At that moment, Beverly came into the room holding a folder.
"Sir, here's the report you requested."
Snatching it from her hand, he opened the file and quickly read through it.
"So after the death of Sarah Graham, his wife, the victim lost his job because of his alcoholism. Later gambled his house away. He took off with his son William afterwards leaving a string of debts behind. A few police reports filed for neighbours complaining of public disturbance. Two arrests for drunken disorderly. " He mumbled under his breath as he closed the file. "At least now we know the kid's name. But I can't see anything that would make the Ripper change his MO."
"We didn't find anything in the vic's car either. There were only traces of the father and his son. Seems they've been living out of it. There was a bag of beer bottles and cans probably for recycling. But interestingly enough, we found a black bag full of wallets."
"Wallets?" Jack asked in surprise.
"My guess is the victim was resorting to stealing. We looked into it and there were quite a few reports filed in the local precinct of a boy matching William Graham's description picking pockets. They never caught the perpetrator though." She continued as she showed him the records.
"Hmm." He read through the records and while the reports pointed strongly to the boy being the culprit, it could just as well be any other street kid.
"Sir, I'm done with my examination." Brian called out as he straightened himself. "You were right about there being something different about this one. It seems Thomas Graham was tortured before his organs were removed."
"Tortured?"
"Yep and from the looks of it, he was not dead when the Ripper began cutting him open. Usually he kills them, removes the organs , puts the metal rods through the body and makes the final touches to put his victims on display. This victim was not so lucky."
"What do you think could have set the Ripper off?" Jack asked. "He must have done this out of anger. His actions are usually too cold and calculating."
"I couldn't say, sir. That's not really my department." Zeller said with a cheeky smile.
"Hmm… anything else you could tell me?" He would have to have Alana Bloom look into it.
"Well, he left the liver behind."
"Isn't that one of the organs that is always missing? Why didn't he take it this time?"
"It seems the victims' liver was in the beginning stages of failure. Probably from all the alcohol."
As Jack walked out of the lab, he pulled out his cellphone and dialled Alana's number. He hoped that she got the chance to speak with the boy. He had pulled some strings and was able to secure her position as consulting psychiatrist.
"Alana Bloom speaking."
"Alana. It's Jack. Do you have any news on William Graham?" He answered as he went into the elevator.
"All I can tell you right now is that you won't be getting anything out of him any time soon."
"Why not? Is he still unconscious? The paramedics at the scene said that he only fainted."
"No, he's awake but he hasn't spoken to anyone. Not even the doctors."
"He's not mute so it has to psychological. Can you get him to open up?" He had finally arrived into his office and sat at his desk.
"I can't make any promises, Agent Crawford. But I will try my best to get through to him. It might be easier now that I know his name. By the way, did your agents find any worn out toys in their home."
"If by home you mean the truck, then I'll have to ask. Why do you need that?"
"Best way to get a kid to open up is to return something they value greatly."
"I'll send it over if I find anything."
"There's something else you need to know. He's very malnourished and..."
"I know that already. The paramedics mentioned it."
"Let me finish! He was also abused. He has old and new bruises all over his body so this has been going on for quite some time. I just want you to know that getting him to open up might take time. Abused children don't trust easily. Often, the abuser makes sure to train the child not to answer some questions."
"Alright. Keep me posted, Dr. Bloom."
"I'll talk to you soon. Bye."
Jack closed his phone and sighed as he sat back in his chair. He really hated cases that involved children. Not only were they terrible witnesses, they were also harder to interrogate. Well, he had a toy to find and a hundred other things to do before he could go home to his wife, he had better get started.
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Will stared at the pretty lady with his mouth firmly shut. She was back. The first time he knew what she was before she even opened her mouth. A psychiatrist. His pa had warned him not to answer any questions that strangers asked, especially shrinks. His father had told him that they would try to separate them and put him in jail. Even though he was gone now didn't mean that the rules did not still apply.
She seemed nice but he knew that she was fishing for information. Nice people were always after something. The more they gave, the more they wanted. She sat down on the chair next to his bed and was careful not to jostle the IV drip or the wires monitoring his heartbeat. From what the doctors had said when he was pretending to sleep, his heart was beating too slow and had asked the nurse to keep note of it. He felt like ripping off the wires again but that would bring that blasted nurse into the room. He looked down at his hospital robes determined not to spare her another glance.
"William." She said with a gentle smile on her face startling him out of his thoughts. His head jerked up in shock, how did she know his name? The surprise was short-lived as his mind quickly supplied the answer. The agents at the scene, more specifically the dark skinned one. He felt the urge to correct her and tell her his name was Will but he turned his gaze back down remaining silent.
"Or is it Will?" She continued. His hands tightened around the bed sheets but he did not look up. "I know that what you went through was painful but you will feel better if you talk to me."
She knew nothing. Annoyance filled him at the implication that she knew anything about. No one could ever possibly understand what it was like being him. Being a freak. He pressed his lips together. Her tone of voice was so gentle and caring that it reminded him of his mother's but it was a just a cheap imitation. There was not true caring or love in it. All she wanted was to get him to open up so that she could go tell the cop what he knew.
She said nothing more for a few minute before placing her cold hand on top of his. He flinched away from the foreign sensation jerking his hand so hard that the IV needle ripped from his thin arm. He grabbed his arm in pain and gritted his teeth to keep from crying out. Within moments the nurses came in. One pulled his hand away and took care of the wound with quick efficiency while the other ushered Dr. Bloom out of his room. He was relieved to see her go. Although he was uncomfortable with the nurses touching him, at least he saw it coming and was able to keep still long enough for them to do their jobs. Will knew that they would sedate him again if he struggled like last time. He did not like the feeling so he would avoid it if he could help it.
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Alana waited in the hall watching through the small window as the nurses took care of the little boy. She had not known that her patient would react so violently to a gentle gesture that was meant for comfort. The only reaction she had gotten out of him was when she called him by his name. There was short moment when their eyes met for the first time and she saw a hint of understanding that was very puzzling. It was almost as though he had looked right through her and saw something that he didn't like. She couldn't understand it. He was not by any means the first child that she treated but it was the first time that one had taken an instant dislike for her.
When the nurses finally left the room, one of them stopped in front of her.
"I don't think he should see any more visitors today. It would be best for you to return tomorrow. He needs to rest."
"Alright." Alana answered feeling resigned. It was the first time in her career that she felt at a loss of what to do. She was slightly relieved to have this time to think.
She was about to leave the hospital when a familiar figure stopped her short at the main entrance.
"Dr. Lecter." She called out as she approached him. Alana had not seen him in a while. He had been her teacher at one point, the best she had ever had.
"Miss Bloom or should I say Dr. Bloom." His accented voice answered as a smile made its way to his face. "It's been too long since the last time I saw you."
"Are you ill, doctor?" She asked a little worried. He did not look sick but she knew from experience that it was not always something that can be discerned from simply looking at a person.
"I have a perfect bill of health or so my doctor says. It is important to have a full check-up every year."
"That's good to hear."
"I am eager to continue this conversation however I have an appointment with a patient. Would you be interested to share a meal so that I can hear more about one of my best students?"
"That would be wonderful." Alana replied eagerly. She had missed their debates and conversations. "Actually I am hoping that I could consult you on a particular case that was recently assigned to me."
"How does 8 o'clock sound? I hope you still remember where my house is located."
"Of course I remember. Eight is perfect." She said nodding her head slightly. "See you soon then, Dr. Lecter."
"I look forward to it." He said with a smile before he walked out. Alana watched him leave with a sense of relief. With Dr. Lecter's help, she was sure that things would turn out well.
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Hannibal smirked as he walked out the hospital doors. Everything had gone according to plan. He had known that Alana Bloom was currently working for the FBI. After her graduation, he had kept tabs on her like many of his promising former students. Since she worked under Jack Crawford the agent in charge of the Chesapeake Ripper cases, he had no doubt in his mind that Agent Crawford would make her Will's psychiatrist. It was all a matter of meeting Dr. Bloom at the right moment.
Now, he would soon officially meet his Will through Alana without the FBI knowing any better that is if all went well tonight. He had every intention of putting all of his effort into the meal. People were always more forthcoming after being plied with good food. The meat was already tenderized and marinated. The vegetables peeled and cut. The desert was in the fridge being cooled. Every course would complement the other. It would be perfect.
The drive to his office was short. He found his patient in the waiting room. As usual, he was early. Gregory March, an obsessive compulsive, always arrived three hours early for his appointments. He stood from his chair as soon as he saw Hannibal.
"Doctor." He greeted taking a wrinkled piece of tissue out of his breast pocket and dabbed his sweaty forehead. The man smelled as though he had been swimming in sweat; it permeated off him in a most unpleasant manner. "I came two hours early this time."
"I see that our sessions are showing at least some progress, Mr. March" He said hiding the contempt he felt for this weak man. He watched his patient stuff the tissue back into his pocket with veiled disgust. Why were his patients so disgusting? He wondered as he went into his office. There was an exception of course. The germaphobe. However, he was not without fault. The scent of chemicals that clung to him always made his nose burn.
Mr March puffed up at the praise and sat down one more. He watched him pick up one of the many magazines that were on the table. Given how much time this idiot spent in his waiting room, he had no doubt that he had read through all of them. He entered his room quickly shutting the door behind him to keep the stench of sweat from entering his office. He did not want to deal with the scent a minute longer than necessary.
Sitting at his desk, he started to write in his logbook. He had used most of the time usually ascribed for this task to go to the doctor. It was only a slight hitch in his schedule but Will took precedence at the moment. His memory was so sharp that a few hours would not hurt. Even a few days if that were necessary. Given his intention to take the child in, sacrifices will have to be made and it would never be said that he would do anything half-way.
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Alana stood at the door holding a bottle of red wine waiting for her old professor to respond to the doorbell. She hoped that he liked the wine. It had been drilled into her head that when invited to dinner at someone's house it was polite to bring something along. She had thought at first to bring desert but remembered that the doctor usually prepares his own.
She was quickly ushered in after exchanging greetings and being relieved of the bottle. He seemed pleased with it and to her relief told her that it would go well with the main dish. Each course was more delicious than the next and by the time they were tucking their desert in, she was completely relaxed. Throughout the meal, she told him about her career after getting her doctorate, the patients she had had.
"You mentioned needing help with a case." Hannibal said after she ate her first spoonful of the chocolate mousse cake. "Am I to assume that this patient is currently in the hospital?"
"How did you guess?" She asked with great surprise. "I don't remember mentioning that."
"You did not. You seemed unusually distressed when we met so it was safe to assume that your state was due to something that happened with a patient." He replied in between bites.
"You're right. I forgot how good you were at reading between the lines. You haven't lost your touch, Doctor." Alana smiled in amusement before sobering. "Jack called me about a patient, a little boy. Actually he called him a potential witness. The doctor warned me that he was abused but allowed me to talk to him. He did not answer any question that was asked. At first, I thought he suffered from elective mutism from the trauma of seeing his father's dead body but now I am not so sure."
"That is a fair assumption what caused your doubt?" The doctor asked leaning forward interest evident in his eyes.
She recounted what had happened during her second meeting with the boy leaving no detail out. When she was done, Dr. Lecter leaned back with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I just don't understand why he reacted so strongly to a simple touch to the hand." She continued hoping that he would have an explanation.
"When he was first admitted to the hospital, did he submit to their care without much struggle?"
"No actually from what the doctor said the nurses had to sedate in order to attach the IV drip. He wouldn't let any…" Her eyes widened in realisation. She felt like hitting herself. "Do you think he is afraid of being touched because of his abuse?"
"That is possible however there may be something more to it. I could give a better diagnosis if I were to meet the child."
"Would you be willing to come to the hospital with me tomorrow if you have time?" Alana asked eagerly. She was still unsure how to approach Will Graham after what had happened. She was sure that a new face may be just what her patient needed to open up.
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The light streamed through the window as Will opened his eyes to the sound of nurses bustling about his room. He missed the truck even though it was not as comfortable as this bed, at least his pa had been there with him. He was uncomfortable being surrounded by so many unknown elements. The scent of the hospital reminded him too much of the night his mother died. He hated this place that much more.
"You're awake." Nurse Carrow said as she placed a tray in front of him. It was a bowl of soup and a glass of glass of water. "Eat as much as you can and don't eat too fast. It'll only make you sick. Don't forget to take your vitamin supplements."
Will glared after her. Every time the woman gave him his food she said the same thing. He hated the way she treated him as though he was simpleton. He understood the first time there was no need for her to perpetually repeat herself. A desire to mouth off at her built itself up in his chest but the vow he had made to himself kept him from uttering the words that were at the tip of his tongue.
Sighing in exasperation, he picked up the spoon and slowly at his meal until he felt too full for more. He swallowed the tablets in the small cup with some water. He sat back wishing he had something to do but he was used to it. His father used to leave him in the car for hours but at least he had had Winston to keep him company. He turned his head towards the window and watched as the clouds moved slowly in the sky. He imagined what life would be like if his ma had never died.
He was drawn out of his daydream by the sound of the door opening. He didn't turn his head to the noise. It was probably a nurse.
"Will. I'm back and I brought some friends." He recognized the voice. It was the shrink. Begrudgingly he turned his head in her direction. No matter how much he disliked her, his curiosity was too great. His gaze zeroed in on a very familiar shape in her hand. It was Winston. How did she get him? He wondered as he quickly snatched his friend when she was close enough. To his surprise, Winston's fur was soft and clean. He looked almost like he did when his ma had been alive. Tears welled in his eyes but he refused to cry in front of the lady and her friend.
Hugging Winston close, he turned his gaze to the man at the shrink's side. He was wearing a suit but it was much nicer than the one that his father used to wear for work. It looked shinier and softer. Another shrink. He groaned internally.
"This Dr. Lecter. He wants to talk to you." The lady said smiling.
"Hello, Will." The doctor said with a strange accent. "I hope you're feeling better today."
"I need to go see your doctor. Will it be alright if he stays with you for a little while?" She asked as if she even cared what he thought. Which she did not. He could tell that she had already decided to leave the man with her before even asking the question. He gave her no response. After what felt like forever, she sighed and left. He watched as she closed the door leaving him alone with this Dr. Lecter. Will turned his gaze to the man who now sat at his side. He made eye contact briefly but quickly turned his gaze to the blue and grey tie.
There was something about him that made Will feel both wary and somewhat… comfortable. He could not seem to gage much from him but he knew for sure that if Will had seen him on the street, there was no way he would have been a target. He may have the money from his demeanour and clothing however there was something about the man that screamed danger. Will tightened his hold on Winston and waited for the man to say something.
"Did you ever feel neglected?" The doctor said smoothly. His eyes shot up to the other mans in surprise. He had not expected him to say that. Everyone else was so careful. They all seemed to treat him like a fragile tea cup that would shatter at the slightest touch.
"Did you ever feel angry when your father wasted your hard earned money on alcohol?" Dr. Lecter continued without missing a beat. His expression did not change. For once, Will could not see what was going on behind someone eyes. "When he barely fed you as your stomach cramped painfully from hunger?"
Will glared at him meeting that infuriating gaze head on. What was his point? He wondered but he kept quiet. The doctor paused for a moment his intense gaze never leaving his own.
"Did you ever feel unloved?" The man emphasized.
"No!" Will said before he could stop himself. How dare he doubt that his pa loved him!? He didn't know anything about it. He had never felt so angry in his life. "Pa loved me!"
"I am sure that he did but did he love you enough? Enough to stop drinking? Enough to pull himself together for your sake? Enough to stop hurting you for no reason but reminding him of his own failings?"
"Shut up!" Will yelled. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"
With a war cry, he threw himself at the man in rage. But before he could hit the doctor, strong hands had turned him so that his back was against a large chest. He was so effectively restrained that he could not move. The hold on his wrists was solid but not painful. As he calmed down, pain flooded through his arm. He realized that he had torn his IV needle off again.
"Let go!" Will demanded as he pulled futilely at the hold.
"Only if you promise not to try to attack me, Will." Dr. Lecter replied softly. "I am not your enemy, little one."
"Of course you are! You're with the lady, aren't you? You only want to talk to me so that you can go tell the black man what you know!" He raged still struggling despite the pain in his arm.
"You have my word that anything you tell me will only be between the two of us."
He felt the hold on his wrists slacken. Will pulled away quickly putting his hands on his torn flesh. He searched the man's eyes for any signs of falsehood. Somehow he wanted to believe him. The spell was broken when door burst open. His doctor, the nurses and Dr. Bloom bustled in. Will watched as the psychiatrists were steered out of his room. For some reason, he felt reluctant to see him go.
Thank you for reading :) Next chapter will be ready soon.
