Disclaimer: It all belongs to Thomas Harris, except the plot… That part is mine.
Chapter Four
As she slowly regained consciousness and the events of the previous evening came back to her, she groaned in humiliation. She couldn't quite believe she'd done it, she couldn't even fathom why. She rolled over in her bed and buried her face into her pillow, groaning once again for good measure, she was planning her Saturday morning to mostly continue like this until the sharp trill of the phone next to her snapped her from her self-pity.
"Starling." She answered automatically, regretting not checking the caller ID when a familiar voice answered back, not sounding as pleased as it had last night.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing Starling?!" She flinched at the tone and sat up, rubbing the last dregs of sleep from her eyes.
"Well sir, I was sleeping." She drawled back, she wasn't a morning person. Being woken up to be shouted at wasn't likely to improve her already foul mood.
"Ha fucking ha Starling. Why have you been visiting that psychopath?!"
For the briefest moment she entertained the idea of answering him in the same sarcastic manner she had previously, but then decided that probably wasn't the best decision considering she had just graduated. "I needed to thank him for his help Mr Crawford. If it weren't for him I'd have never found Catherine Martin."
"Don't bullshit me Starling. That could be done in a letter if necessary, though I don't see why it would be! You've signed down as a personal visitor. Did you think I wouldn't find out? We monitor everyone that visits him Starling, did you think I wouldn't notice my newest graduate popping over there for a chat?!" He was practically screaming down the phone now, she could imagine him bright red, with veins popping as he shouted at the phone.
"Alright sir, yes I did. With all due respect what I do in my personal time is none of your business." She was getting defensive now; she never did like being dictated to. Even when her Father told her what to do she struggled, he used to tell her she had a problem with authority. She never saw it as a problem, only a strength, it was one she would need being a woman in a predominantly male dominated career.
"Clarice… Look, see this from our point of view. This will only be bad news for you. D'you think the head honchos are going to let you advance the way you want to if you're best pals with Lecter?" He'd changed tactics, she almost scoffed. It was like he was trying to play good cop bad cop all in one.
"I would hope my advancement would be based on my success at the Bureau rather than what I choose to do with my free time, sir." Her jaw was clenched and she could feel the low boil in her stomach which signalled she needed to end the conversation or she would say something out of anger that she would later come to regret. "I will sort it sir, don't worry."
Even Crawford couldn't mistake that as the end to the conversation, her thoughts were confirmed when she heard him sigh heavily on the other side of the line. "Alright Starling, you know it's for the best. Enjoy your weekend."
"Goodbye Sir." She didn't even wait to hear him reply before she hung up the phone and dropped it onto the beaten up table which sat next to her bed. Her career had to come first, she knew that. But she'd sworn to herself she wouldn't let Dr Lecter suffer alone as he had done for all the years previous to their meeting.
She needed to speak to him but was hesitant to visit again. Three visits in less than 48 hours reeked of desperation. Maybe she could speak to him on the phone… She just hoped Barney still owed Dr Lecter some favours. She grabbed her cell and punched in the number she knew by heart but had rarely used, as she waited for an answer she walked to the bathroom and began running a bath for herself.
"Hello you've reached the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, this is Wendy speaking." Clarice was surprised to hear the maturity in the voice of the woman who answered the phone, usually it sounded like a pre-adolescent on the other end. She must be a new appointment of Barney's, Clarice smirked at the thought of Chilton's reaction.
"Hello there Ma'am, I need to speak to Barney Matthews please?" She knew her southern drawl was heavy, but she was nervous and big emotions always seemed to make her forget about covering her accent.
"Certainly dear, may I take a name please?" Clarice was warmed by the friendly, helpful woman on the other end of the phone and decided she'd give Barney some positive feedback about his newest appointment.
"Sure, it's Starling. Miss Starling."
"What a beautiful surname! You're very lucky dear, my married name is Haggard! Just awful isn't it? I'll just get Mr Matthews for you now, take care dear!" Clarice couldn't help but laugh as the woman placed her on hold. Chilton would be positively sickly at the thought of that as his reception.
The violin music stopped abruptly and Barneys voice replaced it. "Miss Starling, what can I do for you?"
"Hello Barney, I'm sorry to be a nuisance again but I was wondering if there was any way I could speak to Dr Lecter?" She chewed her lower lip as she realised how ridiculous that sounded. After all, last time Dr Lecter had a phone he'd used it to call a hit on Will Grahams family.
"I'll see what I can do Miss Starling, keep your cell close by." She was momentarily confused and shocked but just nodded, before realising he couldn't see her and agreed verbally. They said their goodbyes and Clarice hung up. Now she HAD to know what favours Barney owed Dr Lecter, maybe she'd be brave enough to ask him. She doubted it.
The time passed excruciatingly slowly as Clarice sat on the side of her tub looking longingly into the steaming water. How long can it take to pass a phone to a Cannibal in a high security mental ward? She laughed to herself and shook her head, she'd probably be waiting all day so should just take her bath now. After all Barney probably wouldn't be able to get the phone to him till the night shift when there was less security around.
She was torn as she looked at the hot water, not wanting to waste it but also not wanting to be caught in the bath when Dr Lecter rang her. He wouldn't know though, even if he did get the phone before the evening… She highly doubted Barney would even manage it. It's not like he could just waltz down the hall and pass him the phone.
Clarice took a deep breath and made her decision, she needed this bath. She was aching and feeling sorry for herself, a long hot soak was the perfect remedy. Having made up her mind Clarice quickly shed her nightclothes and jumped in the bath, as she leant back against the porcelain and watched the water still she smiled and sighed. Perfect.
Until her cell phone rang.
She was sure her eyes were wide as saucers as she debated what to do. She could get out the bath and then answer it? No, then she'd be walking around naked on the phone.
She could ignore it… But then he probably wouldn't get another chance to call her and she doubted Barney would go through all of that again for her.
Damn it. She was just going to have to answer it. She extended her arm and flinched as the water dripped loudly, she held the phone in her hand waiting for the water to still. Somehow she knew he'd hear even the smallest drop of water hit the surface. Whilst being as still as she possibly could, she answered the phone.
"Starling." Her voice was a lot quieter than usual, the phone ID had come up with an unrecognised cell number, but she knew it would be him.
"Clarice, I hear you needed to talk to me. How can I be of service?" His metallic voice sounded even more so over the phone, it was almost disembodied.
She sighed loudly. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to break our agreement Dr Lecter."
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone; she dared not breathe in those moments, should the water shift. "Are you bored of me so soon Agent Starling? What a pity, to think I actually believed you to be genuine in your request. Or is it old Jack that has made up your mind for you?"
"Right in one Dr Lecter, I received a very… loud phone call this morning. Mr Crawford wasn't happy." Being in the hot water was making the conversation flow more as she felt more relaxed than usual, she'd soon find out if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Hmm, and what was your response Clarice?" She knew he was playing with her, he knew full well what her response had been.
"I told him that what I do in my personal time is none of his business. He didn't see it like that when I'm using said time to visit you."
"I see. Clarice, where are you right now?" She froze and looked around her, after a lengthy silence she replied.
"I'm at home Dr Lecter." There, that was good enough. Surely he didn't need to know details.
"Where Clarice, what room?" He knew, the son of a bitch knew and was making her suffer the embarrassment.
"Does it matter Doctor?" Her accent made itself known as her cheeks flamed the same colour as her hair.
"No, of course not. I was merely curious as your voice is echoing slightly. If I was to hazard a guess I'd say you're in a tiled room, with a high ceiling and plenty of ceramic for your voice to bounce around like that. I must say it's quite pleasant. How hard are you trying to keep still right now Clarice?" His voice was clipped and precise, she closed her eyes and clenched her teeth.
"Damn you Dr Lecter." She finally relaxed her body, letting the water swoosh around her as she shifted.
"Ah, so you are bathing. Clarice, you tease." His voice had deepened and she could imagine his eyes flashing.
"I just happened to be running a bath when I rang Barney. I didn't realise he'd get the phone to you so quickly. I thought that place was meant to be a high security hospital!" She was getting defensive again, she took a deep breath to calm herself but his deep chuckle only infuriated her more.
"Mhm, if you say so. Now about our little problem, are you going to stop your social calls so soon Clarice?"
"I have to Dr Lecter, my name appearing on you visitor records. It isn't good. I've only just become an Agent, I don't want it taken from me." She spoke the truth to him, knowing that anything less would be unforgivable.
"That's fair enough Clarice, should you come into possession of a new name. You're welcome to visit me." She frowned at his suggestion.
"The hospital do background checks on every visitor you have, a fake name will appear as just that." He sighed at her and she knew he was shaking his head in exasperation.
"I'll leave you to think about it Agent Starling, I'll let you return to your bath. It was lovely speaking to you Clarice, take care now."
Her ears were met with the dull beep that let her know the other party had hung up.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, I've just moved house and my laptop broke! I'm using my boyfriends for this chapter. I just can't resist a phone conversation between them! The tension! On that note check out my other fic 'Silent Reception' if you like the phone concept. Please leave a review, thank you.