After their meal, Hannibal had managed to convince Will to see him again in two week's time. Will had seemed less reluctant than he would have liked to be, and Hannibal thought he likely needed to eat a more rounded diet. Good food is a powerful motivator when it is lacked, and the manner in which Will had eaten his meal before had made it clear that it was indeed lacked.
The memories of their conversation made dealing with Jack Crawford just a bit more bearable.
This scene was one of the more interesting Hannibal had seen, on par with the gardner, though with an entirely different medium for his work.
The vocal cords were bleached and treated to be more playable. Hannibal could tell that much from just looking and breathing. The throat had been flayed open unceremoniously, being nothing more than an obstacle to get at the chords.
With an impending sense of annoyance, Hannibal came to some private realizations.
This was a display for someone, who the killer knew would see it. It was designed to catch someone's eye, and it was a sort of introduction. This killer was lonely, and was reaching out to someone they saw as an opportunity for friendship.
The final realization brought his looming annoyance to a head, and he wanted to grimace.
This killer was trying to send this to him.
Hannibal turned away from the body to face Jack. Jack looked at him expectantly, flicking his gaze between Hannibal and the body as if to say 'you've been looking long enough, tell me what you think'.
"This killer wants someone to notice him," Hannibal said, "He wants to impress them, though he has never met them. He has killed before, but this was a message to another killer, so it is public."
Jack made a face like he hadn't seen a body display before, which irritated Hannibal further.
"So, this guy wants some other murderer to notice him? Does he want to contact him?" Jack asked, keeping his wildly and inappropriately disgusted expression on his features.
"I believe he wants a response," Hannibal replied, looking back to the scene, "He wants an answer to his invitation."
Jack sighed, resuming his usual, tired expression.
"Any idea who the invitation is for?" he asked.
Hannibal caught and held Jack's gaze and raised his eyebrows.
"I think you already have an idea."
Tobias Budge was an interestingly boring person. He fancied himself far more interesting than he truly was, but his overconfidence made him very dull to be around.
Moreover, Hannibal felt like he was betraying Will. This man was sitting in the place at the table that he only had a day to wait for Will to be in again. This man was certainly not the person Hannibal wanted to be dining with, but he hadn't had much other choice.
Hannibal poured a drink for his guest as the man watched him with an expression on his face that Hannibal would have called predatory, if he hadn't known who the real predator in the room was.
"As much as I am enjoying your company, Dr Lecter," Tobias said, taking up the cup for a drink, "I can't help but feel you didn't invite me purely out of necessity. You didn't only want my expertise in string instruments."
Hannibal knew where he was going with this, and despite having expected it, he found it still a distasteful idea.
"That is true," he said frankly, "You see, I received your message."
Tobias was clearly making a valiant attempt at hiding his emotions, but he was not very practiced. His excitement and anxiety at Hannibal's words were clear.
"Then," he said carefully, "Can I assume you are the one who the message was meant for?"
Hannibal looked at him, not trying too hard to hide his lack of interest in the conversation.
"You can assume whatever you like," he said, "Though the meaning of your message seemed reasonably specific to me. I think it was very foolish of you to help Franklyn approach me at the opera the other night. It makes too much of a connection between us."
Tobias looked Hannibal over, as if calculating whether or not he could win in a fight. Ultimately, he seemed to realize that Hannibal was much more capable than himself, and he would do better to try his hand at verbal combat.
"If this is a response to my message," Tobias ventured, "Then is it a positive reply? Or are you planning to have me arrested?"
Hannibal smiled.
"If I wanted to have you arrested, I could have told Jack Crawford your identity at the crime scene. I don't think your slip up would be enough to lead him to my door just yet," he replied, "though I do think you will be disappointed when I tell you I do not wish to be your friend."
Tobias stood from the table abruptly, making Hannibal frown. That was a very rude thing to do.
"Then there is no reason for me to be here," Tobias declared, clearly not having understood Hannibal's true intentions.
Hannibal stood slowly to meet him. He looked at him across the table and the fear in Tobias' eyes as the truth dawned on him caused him no small amount of excitement.
"I'm afraid I can't let you leave just yet," Hannibal said, "I am expecting a guest tomorrow and I intend to serve them one of my favorite dishes."
