Sorry for the disappearance, but a holiday is a holiday, as I have been informed. This chapter is the shortest to date, but it's a filler chapter and there still are one or two chapters left for the end of Part I in this trilogy of mine. Part II as you will see will progress much faster than this one you'll understand how when it comes out, so without further ado:
I OWN NOTHING… Pathetic right?
Note from the BETA: My sincerest apologies guys. The fact that this chapter is so late is really my fault, and this darling here has been incredibly kind and understanding. So give her some love guys (and don't hate me too much okay).
After exchanging some more pleasantries and small talk with the Thompsons, Hannibal decided that he had had enough of their pompousness, and retired for the night claiming a full schedule for the next day. To be quite honest, Hannibal had already anticipated a late night due to the fundraiser, so the next day he only had two patients visiting. A regular at eleven in the morning and his Goddess of Light at two in the afternoon.
As soon as he arrived home he undressed himself, remembering the feel of Clarice's body on his as they danced the tango. He decided not to dwell on that thought much longer, least his nether regions decided to join him for the evening.
He was about to dress up in his sleeping attire, but decided to wear one of his kimonos instead.
Hannibal went down to the cellar and picked a wine at random and walked back to stand in front of his fireplace. He decided he had to purchase a more plush and comfortable carpet to put before it. Clarice would look like the goddess she was as she rode him in front of the golden hearth.
He sunk gracefully into his chair and poured himself a glass of red wine. Hannibal stopped to contemplate his unconscious choice: a Tardieu-Laurent Hermitage from 2010. It had a captivating bouquet, a combination of blackberry and blueberry liqueur, mocha, bitter chocolate and pipe tobacco, plus an exotic suggestion of incense. Compellingly rich and expansive with vibrant black and blue fruit flavors and a strong floral quality. The smoky, spicy and very long finish features of suave tannins and lingering floral hues. It was lush but nicely defined and revealed a deep color of bright purple as well as abundant concentration of structure and power. It reminded him of Her.
But now that the week had come to an end, he smiled and drank his wine, savoring the exquisite taste and coming to the conclusion that the world was a much more interesting place now that he had discovered that little minx of his was in it. The possibilities where quite endless.
He could hardly wait for the next day to come.
Monday, 1:55 p.m.
Hannibal stared at the mirror once more checking his hair. Now that he knew that perfection irked his Temptress, he aimed to be immaculate, hoping to rip a reaction from the younger woman. Satisfied with his image, Hannibal breathed in slowly and went toward the doors; at precisely two o'clock he opened the doors with a charming smile.
He stood frozen. Staring... At an empty space. He then proceeded to close the doors and marched toward his desk and his schedule. He opened it at the current date and saw quite clearly written in HIS handwriting: "Clarice Starling – 2:00 PM". Hannibal looked at the clock once more and confirmed that it was indeed two in the afternoon. Feeling comprehensive due to the previous night, he decided to wait for his Temptress while recalling that the only other time a patient of his failed to show to a consultation was Will when he had lost track of time and space. At half past three Hannibal called Will.
"Hannibal? I was just about to call you. Listen, you didn't have any appointments with Gumb, Peck or Starling, do you?" was Will's rushed question.
"Good afternoon Will. Yes, that's the reason I called –Miss Starling failed to appear for our two o'clock meeting," Hannibal replied in a cordial tone, although he all of a sudden felt unsettled.
There was a short silence, and Hannibal could hear Will breathing hard through his nose. "Shit. Listen, you better head over here. We have four missing students and a senator's daughter. None of them made it home last night and they still haven't shown up. The official story is that they're sleeping it off somewhere, but Jack thinks that maybe our killers got them."
"I am positive that it is nothing Will, but I will come over right away. Good bye."
Hannibal calmly put down the phone, exuding an aura serenity. Inside he was frozen. To be so close to his beacon of light, only to have her ripped away from his frail grasp had left him frozen. Something he had only felt with Misha's death. What unsettled him the most was the fact that, although he had only learned of Clarice's existence a week ago, the thought of losing her pained him as much as the loss of his beloved sister? What was this woman doing to him?
Breathing in deeply, he calmed himself and vowed that he would find Clarice, and if any harm had come to her, the culprit would learn the true definition of pain. And all those who had failed in saving her would have a banquet served out just for them… Will Graham included.
Thank you to those who took the time to read AND review. Thanks to my followers and readers… PLEASE GIVE ME SOME LOVE…. I NEED REVIEWS…. RIVIEWWWWWWWWWWWWW…*sniff sniff*