In honor of our missing Lecterphile!
Be well, C
The usual applies; I own no one or nothing pertaining to this story.
Chapter 9 Rage
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Clarice sped all the way home, getting angrier with every mile. Understanding Dr. Lecter's message was one thing, but when the realization that someone, probably Pearsall, had bugged her home finally set in, it made her furious.
Arriving home, she slammed the front door open and stood in the doorway like the planted device would just surrender its position. Calming herself down, she closed the door and went over to the stereo turning it on.
Turning the music up as loud as her neighbors would allow before calling in a noise complaint, she began her search. Clarice had torn up most of the living room before finding the first bug.
It had been tucked neatly under the edge of one of her endtables.
The second was found underneath the cabinet just above the refrigerator. After another hour or so, she found the third. This was the one that had pissed her off the most. It was stuck to the backside of the headboard in her bedroom.
Clarice sat down on the bed. She thought about crying, but her anger was too strong.
Now is not the time for tears. Now, she thought, is time to take control of this game.
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Pearsall was starting to get worried. He had found out that Starling had made an inquiry about Bridger from her computer. This was all starting to get out of hand. All he had wanted to do was catch Lecter. Director Noonan was retiring in six months and if he were able to catch Lecter, he would almost be assured of the Director's position and….
Now all he was assured of was a nice prison cell if he couldn't get this mess under control.
Pearsall knew the risk he was taking when he decided to align himself with Bridger. At the time he believed it was worth it, now he wasn't so sure.
Pearsall had also believed if he could get rid of Lecter, maybe, just maybe, he might have a chance with Starling. He discovered his feelings for her ran a little deeper than he cared to admit. A part of him was even grateful to Lecter for Killing Paul Krendler.
Paul could be such an ass.
He just couldn't understand the hold Lecter seem to have over Starling. It was like they were linked somehow. Crawford had been correct when he told her that she didn't want Hannibal Lecter inside her head. Unfortunately for Starling, that's exactly what happened. Pearsall only hoped that he could get rid of Lecter and set Starling free.
Pearsall stood staring out the window in his office, lost in his thoughts for a long time. Turning from the window, he picked up the phone and dialed Bridger's cell number.
When Bridger answered, Pearsall said, "I need to see you right now. We've got a problem."
Pearsall didn't wait for a response before hanging up. As Pearsall left his office, he told his secretary that he was leaving for the day.
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When Pearsall got home, he noticed his front door was unlocked. He entered the house figuring Bridger must already be here. As he stepped inside, closing the door behind him, he didn't see any sign of Bridger. Maybe I just forgot to lock the door, he thought.
Pearsall went into the kitchen and poured himself a drink, taking it with him to the living room.
This time, Bridger was standing in the middle of the room. Startled, Pearsall said, "Dammit, do you always have to go sneaking around?"
Bridger just smiled. "So what's so important that it couldn't wait until tonight?"
"We have a little problem Mr. Bridger. Starling has been making some inquiries into your background. I think she suspects something."
"You think? Of course she suspects something. Why else would she be checking me out?
What to you plan on doing about it?"
"I don't know. Maybe we should just call this whole thing off. There's just too much that can go wrong, especially with Starling poking around now."
"Call it off? I don't think so Mr. Pearsall. If Starling finds out the truth, well let's just say, it might be time Agent Starling retired, permanently."
"You mean….No, I won't hear of it. Your job was to help me draw Lecter out and kill him."
"What better way to bring Lecter out of hiding than to kill his 'Special Lady.'
"I said NO, Mr. Bridger. We'll find another way."
"I don't think so Mr. Pearsall." Bridger said, as he pushed Pearsall up against the living room wall. "You're not the only one here who has something to lose."
With his left forearm securely planted against Pearsall's throat, Bridger brought his right hand into view. Pearsall's eyes widened as he saw the large kitchen knife in Bridger's right hand.
"I AM sorry, Mr. Pearsall, but this was going to happen sooner or later. It just happens to be sooner."
Before Pearsall had time to say another word, Bridger plunged the knife into his abdomen.
Waiting a moment, Bridger made a sharp upward thrust and then turned the handle of the knife.
Bridger watched as the life drained from Pearsall's face. Removing the knife, he wiped the blade on Pearsall's shirt, "Never trust a homicidal maniac Mr. Pearsall, it could get you killed."
He said as he released Pearsall's body and watched as it slid down the wall, coming to rest on the floor.
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