Walking briskly down the halls of the Human Behavioral building, Clarice glanced at her watch. She was now over an hour late.
'Oh, God, please let them still be here. Please don't let them be discussing how to fire me.' Clarice thought as she neared Crawford's office.
She swung the office door open a little harder then she meant to, banging it into the wall, causing both Crawford and Krendler. Clarice froze for a moment, paralyzed with embarrassment.
"So nice of you to finally grace us with your presence, Starling." Krendler's greasy voice jolted Clarice back to reality.
"Mr. Crawford, Mr. Krendler. I am so sorry. I fear I slept in this morning. You have my deepest apologies." Clarice gushed, shutting the door and sitting down in the chair beside Krendler.
"It's quite alright, Clarice." Crawford said sternly, cutting Krendler off as he began to say something.
"So, Starling. You think you can handle an assignment?" Krendler sneered, dropping a thick folder of papers onto Clarice's lap.
"What is it?" She asked, thumbing through the papers.
"Series of homicides in Los Angeles. Each victim shot in the left temple, then stabbed 13 times in the heart. All of them were found in their beds, covered in rose petals."
"How many so far?"
"Six."
Clarice looked at the case file thoughtfully. This would get her across the country. It would get her away from Lecter.
"So do you want the case or not?" Krendler asked gruffly, who was now standing and peering down Clarice's blouse.
"Yes." She replied, clutching at the top of her blouse.
"Great." Crawford replied, standing up. Clarice quickly followed suit. "How soon can you leave?"
"Uh..." Clarice paused, "two days?"
"Terrific. I'll get the arrangements made and get the information to you by the end of the day." Crawford said, shaking Clarice's hand.
"Thank...you." Clarice stuttered, following him and Krendler out of the office.