The morning sun fell across Clarice's face as Dr. Lecter opened the curtains. She opened her eyes then quickly closed them again.
"Rise and shine Clarice."
Clarice groaned and covered her face with her free arm. Dr. Lecter moved around the bed and released her left arm. Clarice looked up at him.
"I thought you may like to make use of the bathroom before breakfast. After you have showered and changed come downstairs. You have twenty minutes."
"What is keeping me from calling the cops the minute you leave?" she asked.
"The same thing that kept you from pulling the trigger last night. Twenty minutes Clarice." he replied then left. Clarice stared at the door for a moment then moved to the bathroom. She quickly went about her morning routine then returned to the bedroom. She dressed quickly and ran her brush through her hair. She stopped for a moment to look at her reflection in the full length mirror attached to the closet door. The short sleeve blouse she had chosen allowed the bruises on her arms to show. She pulled a button up sweater from her bag and put it on. As she watched her reflection the voice in the back of her head started screaming. For a moment she was rooted to the spot as her mind began asking questions that she could not answer.
"What are you thinking? Call the cops!" the voice shouted. Clarice shook her head at her reflection.
"He hasn't hurt me." she whispered.
"He's a killer." the voice called back. Images of the crimes scenes she had visited recently came unbidden to the front of her mind.
"You could be next." the voice said, "Never forget what he is."
"He is the slayer of wolves." she replied then turned from the mirror and walked down the stairs.
Dr. Lecter was just finishing settling things at the table when she entered the dining room. He moved to pull out a chair for her. She smiled and took her seat. He removed the lid from the plate in front of her. He poured them each a glass of juice before sitting. They ate in silence for a few minutes.
"Is everything to your liking?" he asked.
"Yes. It is delicious." she replied and he smiled.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I have in weeks." she replied without looking at him.
"Really?"
"I never sleep well when I'm on a case. My mind doesn't like to turn off."
"And last night?"
"For me the case is over. Whatever happens now is out of my hands."
"Why do you believe that my dear?"
"Dr. Lecter we both know that you can't allow me to leave here and go on with my life. I would always be a danger to you."
"While that may be true Clarice you have proven more ally than adversary thus far. You could have shot me last night. You could have called the police this morning. But alas here we sit enjoying a lovely breakfast and chatting like friends."
"Last night I wasn't thinking clearly. Let's just blame it on Graham and move on."
"Agreed. What about this morning Clarice?"
"Self preservation."
"What do you mean?"
"Given the fact that the only phone I have seen in your home is in the den I would have had to sneak past you and made the call without your knowledge. Then I would have to put faith in the local police that they would arrive before you discovered that I had called them and slit my throat. Self preservation."
"How did you know I wouldn't have slit your throat the moment you came down stairs?"
"I decided it was worth the risk. It is not often a man offers to cook me breakfast."
Dr. Lecter laughed. Clarice smiled at the sound.
"You are a treat Clarice. I may have to keep you around." he said collecting the dishes. He moved to the kitchen leaving Clarice stunned in her seat.
"How about we continue our chat in the living room?" he remarked returning. Clarice simply nodded and followed him. Dr. Lecter motioned her to the couch and she complied. He moved to the stereo and turned it on. Soft piano music filled the room.
"What do you mean you may keep me around?" she asked suddenly.
"I thought it was very self explanatory."
"You can't just keep me here."
"Really? It seems to be working so far."
"How long do you think it will take for them to figure out we are missing. Eventually someone will come knocking."
"And if they do Clarice would you scream for help? Would you risk someone else's life in an attempt to save your own? And who's to say I wouldn't kill your would be rescuer then finish you off before disappearing into the night."
She didn't reply. He studied her for a moment.
"Have I been so inhospitable that you'd rather face death then be my guest?"
"I'm not your guest Doctor I'm your prisoner."
Before he could answer there was a knock at the door. He held her gaze for a moment before moving to answer. Clarice sat up suddenly when she heard the voice coming from the hall. She stood when Dr. Lecter reentered the living room followed by Jack Crawford.
"Clarice thank god. I've been looking for you all morning." Mr. Crawford said.
"Mr. Crawford what are you doing here?"
"I flew in early this morning. How long have you been here?"
"Miss Starling arrived early last night and has been my guest ever since." Dr. Lecter supplied, his eyes on Clarice.
"The hotel said you checked out around midnight last night." Mr. Crawford said ignoring Dr. Lecter's comment.
"Yes. Dr. Lecter was kind enough to take me to pick up my things and allow me to stay the night." she replied, "Why are you here sir?"
"Will Graham is dead."
"What? How?"
"His car hit a wall on the other side of town. Apparently he'd had a few drinks and missed the turn. They ran the plates to find out who he was. They called me as soon as they found out."
"Are they sure it was him?" Clarice asked.
"We matched dental records about an hour ago." Mr. Crawford said, "I thought I'd find two bodies when I got here. I'm glad you are alright."
"He'd been drinking. I got out of the car." she said stunned, "Excuse me please." She rushed from the room. Her mind was spinning when she stepped into the dining room.
"I should have been in that car. Why wasn't I in that car? Why did he let me live?" her mind said over and over again. Suddenly a voice cut through her confusion.
"Clarice, are you alright?" Dr. Lecter asked from the doorway. Clarice turned to face him.
"Before or after?" she asked in a low whisper.
"What do you mean Clarice?" he asked.
"Did you send him down that hill before or after you took me to the hotel?"
"Before."
"Why wasn't I in that car with him? Why am I here?"
"The world is more interesting with you in it." he said simply.
Clarice sank into the nearest chair. Her breathing became erratic. Dr. Lecter moved in front of her.
"Clarice you need to calm down. Take a deep breath."
She looked up at him and took a deep breath. He smiled and helped her to her feet.
"Now you have a decision to make. You can tell your boss the crimes I have committed and help him take me into custody but know now I won't go easily."
"And the other option?" she asked. He smiled.
"You can tell him about the man on Fairmont who is hanging in his basement with a note pinned to his chest."
"Then what? Go on with my life like none of this happened? Or stay here as your prisoner, never knowing if I'll wake up in the morning."
"That choice is yours Clarice but if you chose to stay you'll have nothing to fear from me. You will be free to come and go as you please." he replied.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you giving me a choice?"
"I will not keep you against your will Clarice. I realized last night that no matter how strongly I desire to keep you the choice to stay must be made by you. If you chose to stay I will do everything in my power to make sure you are happy for as long as you are here."
He crossed the room and opened a drawer in the china cupboard. He pulled out Clarice's gun and placed it on the table.
"The choice is yours my dear." he said then returned to the living room.
