Hannibal- 21
The characters are not my own. That honor belongs to Thomas Harris.
21
Paul decided that leaving the city was in his best interest. Not only financially, but professionally as well. Noonan flagged Paul's credentials the moment that Starling rejected his offer to return as an FBI Agent. Too suspicious for Starling, then maybe the FBI team had a mole. The plugged up bastard!
It was only a matter of time before his assets would be frozen.
He needed that money from the gimp now!
The Italians nabbed Starling just as Krendler was called into Noonan's office. The meeting would cover any ties or doubts of the kidnapping being linked to himself. Nobody was looking for Starling and that was exactly what counted. She had no one. Not even that darkie friend of hers. Abigale, Audrina, or Athena or some other islander name, wanted nothing to do with the cornpone white-ass pussy named Clarice Starling.
He played the rest of the day in the office until clocking out for the weekend. His position had not YET been revoked or suspended, though he felt a storm boiling against him. All of the glares and scours coming from the former consultant, Will Graham. That scarred face gave a glower that could peel paint.
Paul thought of the Tooth Fairy and the moments where Will Graham should have been killed. He was not known for his sharp shooting, nor really for his field work.
It was the insights into the criminal mind; the ability to empathize.
Paul originally thought it was total bullshit. Being proven wrong had been a hard lump to swallow. Though, when Graham extricated himself from the FBI it was better all around. Now the fucked-up face assaulted the Congressman at every turn in the office. Every phone call made, they locked eyes through the glass windows.
Will Graham knew.
He just couldn't prove that Paul was involved… yet.
He needed to get out of town. And quick. Using his personal cellular, he called home. His wife was easily placated about remaining in the city for work and he drove to the Verger mansion once dusk hit the city skyline. The rear view mirror did not reflect any tails.
He would get his millions if he had to pry it out of the limp dick's gnarled hands.
"What the blue fuck are you doing here, Krendler?" Mason and Margot shouted. "You've done your part!"
"I'm here to make sure you don't flake out!" He shouted at the duo.
"You've got to be the biggest, fucking moron alive. Were you followed?" Margot demanded.
"Of course not!" Paul shouted back. "I'm here to collect."
"You're not getting a cent until Hannibal Lecter is delivered into my hands." Mason replied. "Margot, get the van ready. I guess you should come too, Krendler. Hope you have a strong stomach."
Margot and Cordell loaded the crippled wealthy successor into a blacked out van.
Paul started when he saw Clarice Starling's unconscious body.
"You brought her HERE?!" His voice boomed in the limited space.
"Thought you'd want an unobstructed chance at getting in her pants."
"Mason, I don't…" Margot's warning was cut off by the gimp.
"You can have a chance at her muff too, Margot." Mason sneered and caused his sibling to withdraw into herself and pay attention to the road. He said to Paul. "Go on. I know you want to. Though, you should know. God sees all."
Paul's throat felt tight, but not as tight as his breeches. His dick hardened just at the thought of Starling's tight country pussy. She was in her best form too. Slim. Hard bodied. Cute, but not beautiful. Fresh. Like a barely legal virgin. He knew that she hadn't been with many men. Maybe not ever. His fantasy rode high.
He glanced around the van. Nobody paid him any attention.
Leaning over the unconscious red head, he pursed his lips in a thin line. His hands moved of their own volition and tweaked a nipple. Emblazoned by her lack of brassiere, he groped her breast harder. His dick pressed against his zipper uncomfortably. He grabbed both breasts until he was sure to leave bruises, but he didn't care. Clarice Starling would know his hands before she died. She would know his dick too, he thought. After all the years of her resistance, she would take him. And take him hard and rough.
Starling had been a thorn in his side for far too long.
Paul licked his lips.
He imagined licking hers.
What would she taste like, he wondered? Well, he'd find out one way or another.
(O)
Margot watched the rear view as closely as possible.
Krendler was having his fun toying with an unconscious woman. One that rumor had it, had rejected him multiple times.
She took a corner and cranked the steering wheel just enough to watch the sick bastard bounce his head off of the roof of the van.
"Damn it, Margot. We are not horses." Cordell replied from the passenger seat.
"Sorry, thought I saw something in the road."
Krendler returned to his seat, but watched Starling as if she were a steak grilling over hot coals.
Dr. Lecter would not be pleased if the woman arrived into his arms in less than perfect condition. Margot doubted that he would find her to blame, but she didn't want to take a risk. The evening held enough risks as it was.
She pulled into the cargo docking area at the Chesapeake Zoo.
The Italian lackeys opened the van doors and smirked at the sight. One of them tossed Starling over his shoulders as if she were a sack of grain. Margot jumped out of the driver's seat and strode over to him. "Easy with her you Italian buffalo." The two men exchanged a few unintelligible words. "Maybe you'll understand this." She grabbed a thick fallen branch, took an end into each hand, and bowed the wood until it broke. "Capiche, you ignorant fucks?"
After the coast was clear, she dipped into an office, and dialed Dr. Lecter's emergency line.
He answered. "Margot, have you arrived at the zoo?"
"Yes, but there is something you should know. Mason and Krendler kidnapped Clarice. She is here."
The connection gave a funny noise. Possibly the impending thunderstorm. No, it was Dr. Lecter. He was hissing into the line.
He spoke light and quick. "Her condition?"
"Unconscious by sleep-darts." She hesitated.
"Margot? What else?" He probed.
"Krendler got handsy. I did what I could to deter it."
"Lead a lamb like her to the slaughter and the consequences will be dire." He threatened. "Mr. Krendler means to have her, I take it?"
"He said as much." Margot replied.
"Keep Krendler alive. This is important, Margot. I've got Frederick Chilton incapacitated for Abel. If there is a way to clue Abel in, please do so."
"Doctor?"
"Yes, Margot?"
"I want to be the one who ddd..does it. Mmm..Mason, I mean." She stuttered.
"You will be. My plans have changed and I'll be delivering Abel's gift directly to him. You'll have to make do with the medical accommodations that the zoo has available. Abel will know what to do."
"I'm nervous." She admitted.
"You and Judy will make excellent mothers. Of that, I am sure." He disconnected the line.
(O)
The concrete feeding containment cell had been closed off for several days. A stale air smell seeped into everything; the walls and concrete tiled floor. The animals were too aggressive to share the space together and they were each suffering from ravenous hunger. The bear's growling and cantankerous behavior could be heard just though the metal door leading into the animal's open wooded area.
Of course, that didn't matter right now. Gideon thought.
The doors opened and a repugnant Italian man dropped a lovely red headed package to the floor with a heavy thump.
What an interesting turn, he thought as he played his role as the intoxicated patient.
The Italian man stopped to check the woman's bindings and shifted her so that she lay on her back. The brute smirked when her shirt gave an unobstructed view of her bare pillowed breasts. They had slight red markings. Likely from the sudden toss to the floor. The man moved to grope the unconscious woman, when Gideon gave a disgruntled snort.
It was successful in drawing away the Italian's attention.
"Eh! You still doped?" The man said in a heavy accent. He smelled like greasy pork sausage and engine oil.
Gideon cracked his mouth to drool a bit and rolled his eyes convincingly. It earned him a rough smack, but the man left without further attentions to the unconscious woman.
The clanking of the door leading into the inner maintenance halls caused the woman to stir. She blinked hard a few times, but realized that she was bound.
"Miss Starling, good evening." The static intercom crackled. Gideon recognized the voice of Mason Verger. "I'm afraid that this evening's entertainment will be entirely at your expense. No, no. Don't bother speaking, this is a viewing area only and I won't hear you. Your roommate will keep you entertained, I'm sure. Once he comes around."
"What a drama queen." Gideon muttered. He knew very well that Clarice Starling heard him; he mentally applauded her for not reacting to his voice.
"How many men are there?" She asked him while looking up into the viewing window.
"4 and a half. The 2 Italians, Cordell, Krendler, and Mason. He is the 'half', if you didn't catch that."
"Paul Krendler. Gotdammit." She whispered angrily. "Thought I smelled his nasty aftershave." Clarice rolled her neck and noticed the open buttons of her blouse. She shrugged off the immodesty. "My mouth feels like dried cotton; is there any water in here?"
"Not unless you press that metallic button near the door. Of course once you do, in 2 seconds, several bears with ravage us apart and water will be the last thing on your mind before it is ripped out of your skull."
She wrinkled her nose. "What is all of this over?"
"Mason's Revenge?" It was the obvious question. "I supposed it all began with Margot. She was abused by her sadist brother; the half-a-man that spoke earlier. I was her therapist and then Hannibal took over once I focused on my surgical career. Hannibal's therapy is a bit… progressive. However, it was doing wonders for Margot's personality disorders and depression. I'm not sure exactly when Hannibal declared his unspoken plot against Mason, but I supported it." He thought for a bit. "Of course, you know all about my involvement, my wife and Chilton. I'm surprised that little git hasn't made an appearance. Probably afraid of Hannibal."
"Hannibal? He's here?!" She squeaked.
"Not if everything went accordingly." Of course Hannibal was currently indisposed. What with his own little present for Abel. Chilton should now be giftwrapped and wetting himself. If everything had gone according to Hannibal's plans. If. If. If. If.
She moved as if to draw closer.
"Tut, tut, dear. You mustn't attract the attentions of those who wish us dead." His mouth hardly moved, but he gave a great snort and jerk as though under sedation. "Your presence may have thrown a wrench in these plans of ours."
"What plans?" The former agent demanded.
"Why… don't you know?"
"Dr. Gideon, my patience is too thin for this shit right now. Tell me now, please."
"For. My. Escape." He popped the 'P' with a flourish.
"This was all planned? This was all…"
"Yes. The details were a bit harried and of course with Krendler kidnapping you, Lecter will be outraged at Mason's audacity."
He chanced a look at her lovely face and was pleased with her surprised expression.
"Mason thought he chose wisely with Krendler; the man with the connections and a penchant for muddying his nose. Governmental payoffs for the man with grabby hands. The grabby hands that have touched your sacred flesh, even if the touch was rebuffed. Oh, yes. I know about you from the great man himself. Hannibal will perform his greatest concerto tonight. Are you ready, Agent Starling? Are you ready to see the red light behind the eyes of the man you love? Those eyes that yearn for you. They also yearn for red-blooded vengeance. Can you see him in those steely eyes of yours and know that he covets?"
"Covets what?" Her voice cracked with dehydration.
"Covets you."
She was silent for a long moment.
"When things go down, what is my part?" She asked bravely.
"To exploit Mason's weaknesses. And he has many."
"Aren't you his weakness?" She asked. The agent in her had never known to stop being an agent. Not with her scandal, exploitation, or ejection from the FBI.
Abel drew into himself as he tried to mentally play out the evening and how it would shape the rest of his life.
(O)