I do not own anything related to Hannibal, either thru television, or written books. Everything belongs to Thomas Harris and Bryan Fuller. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 21
Song(s): Young God (Halsey), Adagio For The Strings (Samuel Barber)
Rolling her head against the feather down pillow, Oliveah yawned as she stretched her arms up over head, knocking her knuckles against the wooden head board. Feeling the emptiness of the bed beside her, she had just started to sit up, gathering the white Egyptian sheet up to her chest as the bedroom door started to slowly open.
Feeling her lips parting into a smile, she quickly laid back down as a fury of childish whispers sounded at the door. Hearing the clinking of glasses and firm words from her husband, she kept still and pretended to softly snore as a voice spoke near her ear.
"Momma is snoring" the little girl giggled as she poked at Oliveah's closed eye.
"Alright. Dominika, you can wake her" Hannibal whispered as the little girl smiled widely at her brother.
"MOMMY!"
Feeling two bouncing bodies landing on the king-sized bed, Oliveah smiled as she pushed down the sheet and tried to capture her four-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. Spying her husband standing tall in jeans and a grey t-shirt, she smiled as Hannibal Lecter grabbed their daughter around the stomach and hauled her up over his shoulder before tossing her down on the bed squealing.
"Dominica and Benjaminas made you breakfast in bed for your birthday" he spoke as Oliveah's eyes wandered onto his.
"You didn't help at all?" she questioned, as Hannibal winked.
"I offered the instruction and carried the tray" he grinned as Oliveah swallowed hard.
Jesus, he really is something outside his suits she thought as he stretched his arms up over his head before running a hand over his day-old stubble.
Moving her eyes onto the tray, she spied a wine glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a cup of steaming coffee followed by two small plates with lids.
"Momma, Daddy let me use a knife!" Dominica smiled as Oliveah shifted her eyes back on to Hannibal who was rolling Ben over into a somersault at the foot of the bed.
Moving her eyes onto her husband, she watched as Hannibal cleared his throat before grabbing the tray. Setting it across her lap, she felt his fingers trail along her chin as she looked up.
"The kids made you breakfast, but I will make you dinner" he purred as he brushed her lips with his own.
"Ewwwww!"
Scooping Dominika up into his arms as she stuck out her tongue, Hannibal rounded the bed and took a seat on his side, resting his chin on the top of her head.
"It's special Momma" she smiled, her toothy grin beaming as her brother scrambled up and wedged in against his mother.
"It looks perfect."
Oliveah swore she didn't get a look in with either child. Her daughter had her father's burgundy eyes, while her son had his cheekbones. Maybe the hair color was close to hers.
"Watch…watch…that's hot Ben" she soothed as her son's tiny fingers tried to dip into her coffee cup.
"It's gonna get cold!"
Taking a sip of the orange juice, Oliveah folded her hands and looked to her son.
"My my…what shall I try first" she smiled as Ben pointed a finger to the first plate.
Reaching out, Oliveah lifted the lid and froze at the sight before her.
This is not perfect.
"What…What is this…" she breathed, catching sight of Hannibal reaching forward and taking a severed finger that had been pan seared off the plate. Bringing her eyes up onto his lips, she watched as he took a bite before chewing slowly.
Feeling the bile rising in her throat, Oliveah watched her son dig into the second plate before pulling his fingers away covered in a thick gooey red sauce.
"Hannibal…"
Tossing the finger bone down on the plate, he shifted his daughter to sit beside her brother as Ben put his sticky fingers in his mouth before smiling.
Throwing the tray aside as the plates and glasses shattered all over the floor, Oliveah threw herself to her feet before reaching down and grabbing Ben roughly into her arms.
Feeling him squirm against her she watched as Dominika threw her arms around Hannibal's neck.
"It's alright, mummy wasn't expecting such a breakfast. Though she should have" Hannibal growled as Oliveah backed to the bedroom door.
"Momma…"
Hearing Ben's cry against her ear, she watched as Hannibal rose to his own feet, holding their daughter.
"Hannibal, you can't do this to them….you can't."
"Feed my children? Expose my children to the lifestyle that they will grow into?"
Reaching out behind her, Oliveah gripped the door handle but found it locked.
"Ben!" Feeling her son kicking as her arms loosened around him, she watched as Hannibal scooped them both up into his arms with a smile.
"One big happy family…"
Throwing her eyes open, Oliveah threw her arm out and knocked her full glass of water onto the floor. Hearing it shatter, she sat up and brought her hand up against her throat before touching her tongue.
"Jesus..."
Throwing the comforter off her bare legs, she padded across her room avoiding the puddle of water as she took in the time.
6:23am
She was scheduled to be at the State Hospital for ten to meet with Dr. Bloom, and Will's lawyer to go over Alana's statements and some questions that the Prosecution might ask.
"I just want this all to be over. I just want to present my thesis, graduate, and move on" she muttered as her mind immediately remembered her dream.
Dreaming of a husband, kids, a bloody breakfast in bed…
"Hannibal as a husband and father" she breathed out shaking her head as she stepped into the hallway. Hearing silence from downstairs, she made her way into the kitchen to make coffee as she heard the ringing of her phone. Dashing back to her bedroom, she grabbed it quickly before checking the caller id.
"Hello?"
"Hello Oliveah, it's Alana Bloom"
Shit, I didn't mess up the time did I? she thought as she threw her eyes onto her alarm clock.
"Leonard Brauer is moving up our meeting at the hospital from ten to nine o'clock."
Nodding her head, she headed back downstairs and made coffee with one hand as Bloom switched topics to her thesis.
"I have two more sources to read up on and then I am finished and will be ready to present to the Department."
"Excellent, I have you scheduled to defend on April 14th. Myself, Dr. Thorton, and Dr. Alexander will make up your panel."
Taking in a deep breath, Oliveah nodded to herself as she put down her phone.
She was nervous to see Will. Being the only one who knew his innocence for sure, she
Returning to the kitchen, her eyes fell upon Tyler's bowl of lemons as her mind remembered Will's hands rolling one over the cutting board in his kitchen. A time when she had no idea who Hannibal really was, and Will was a free man.
Staring at the box of cereal left out from that morning on the counter, Oliveah felt her stomach lurch.
There is no way I can eat anything before seeing him.
…
Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Baltimore, Maryland…
9:23am
"The Defense calls Dr. Alana Bloom."
Watching her Thesis Advisor taking a deep breath through her nose, Oliveah did feel a bit sorry for her.
Bloom had to get this right, for Will's sake.
"I believe Will's empathy disorder, combined with the effects of viral encephalitis….do we have to do this?"
Shifting her weight in her chair, Oliveah watched as Leonard Brauer folded his hands behind his back as he nodded his head.
"I don't want the first time you do this to be in court."
Smart
Tucking in her chin, Oliveah raised her eyes to the guards slowly pacing the second level as her mind began to race…
I wonder if Chilton is taping all of this?
If he is, he can never make this public
But that doesn't mean he wouldn't use anything heard to his advantage she thought, remembering pieces of her last conversation with Will in this very open room.
"Are you sleeping with him Oliveah?"
"Doctor Bloom, weren't you and the accused romantically involved?"
Hearing Brauer's monotoned words, Oliveah's eyes flew onto Will who had been staring out of the side of his cage towards the stone wall ever since they had begun nearly ten minutes ago
"How is this relevant to the case?"
Hannibal once told me that Will was in love with Bloom.
Will had denied it. Yet here we stand, while he sits like a caged bird.
"It is relevant to your testimony. In that Court, your feelings, your emotions, your pro-everything Will Graham will be on trial. You get all starry eyed and it will undermine me and even him."
"My testimony is based on my professional…"
"You are smitten with the accused Ms. Bloom and it is adorable, but not my brand of defense. And Ms. Vega will smell it on you like you just stepped into young adult hood and tracked it like muck all into the Court room."
The way she looks at him even now, she has feelings for him. She wants to believe he is innocent, but she won't admit that she is in love with a killer.
"Now, I ask you again. Were you and Will Graham, involved romantically?"
I…
I am in love with a serial killer
Crossing her legs, Oliveah looked to the checkered floor under her feet before raising her eyes onto those of Graham who stared right back at her.
"I have no romantic feelings for Will Graham. I have a professional curiosity."
"You're lying through your teeth Alana, and now you switch to the defense that you only see Graham as a high school science project my God; If I was desperate enough to put you on the witness stand I'd be scrapping at the bottom of the barrel."
Desperate enough?
Turning her gaze onto Mr. Brauer, she found him looking at her with intent.
"After I started putting together Mr. Graham's case and you put in your Automatism defense, I realized that you would not be a good witness to provide an accurate and unbiased testimony towards him" Brauer spoke as he continued to stare at Oliveah.
Why is he looking at me?
"Will needs everyone who can and will, testify to his defense" Bloom spat as Brauer pointed a single finger at her student.
""I'm going to put your student on the stand instead of you."
No….
No.
Throwing her eyes onto Oliveah, Bloom rose to her feet and crossed her arms angrily over her chest.
"You really think that I am going to just let…."
"Dr. Bloom, you are a Defense attorney's nightmare when it comes to this case."
Watching her Advisor closing her mouth, Oliveah looked over Brauer's shoulder and saw Will had returned his gaze to the wall.
"But as I am here to advise my client, I suppose the overall decision is up to him. Mr. Graham, pick one.
Pick one?
Slowly moving his eyes towards the center of the room, Will remained perfectly still as he brought his eyes onto Bloom before coming to rest on Oliveah's face.
"Whom do you think would do best by you in your defense?" Brauer questioned, as Will rose to his sneakered feet. Crossing his arms over his chest, Will steadied his face as he nodded his chin.
"Ms. Adler."
"That's what I thought" Brauer muttered, shoving his hands into his pant pockets as Bloom spun around on her heel and made for the exit door.
…
Dr. Hannibal Lecter's Office, 687 Bayshore Ave-Suite 200, Baltimore, Maryland…
Climbing the staircase, Oliveah shed her knit hat and mitts fumbling them into her coat pockets as Hannibal's office door opened.
Shit.
What if it's Bloom or Jack Crawford?
Looking back behind her, she knew she wouldn't make it down the stairs in time before being spotted and as she turned back around, her eyes fell onto Hannibal staring down at her, sans suit jacket.
"Good afternoon Ms. Adler."
Resting his hands on the balcony railing, he watched Oliveah as she cautiously climbed the rest of the stairs, coming to stand beside him.
"How did you know I was already here?" she questioned as she felt his shirted arm brush hers lightly.
"I watched you round the gate from the window" he replied as he offered out a hand towards the office.
"A warm fire and something to drink?"
Walking into his office, she heard the door close before taking off her coat. Allowing the doctor to take it, he laid it across the blue sofa before joining Oliveah in front of the fireplace.
Catching her eyes staring at his hand drawn work above the mantle, Hannibal reached out and took her hand before bringing it up to his lips.
"Red wine?"
Nodding her head, Oliveah watched him leave the office through his private patient exit before she slowly approached his desk. Taking a seat in his leather chair, she moved her fingers out and traced the deep gouge that she had dug the last time she had been here.
I really hope he never asks for me to pay for the damage. I'd have to declare bankruptcy.
Shifting her eyes onto a pile of loose papers, Oliveah felt her mouth fall as she spied the sketched-out frame of a female, light on curves, but heavy with various instruments protruding from and stabbed into various parts of the body.
"The Wound Man" she breathed out as footsteps sounded behind her.
Watching the glass come into her view, Oliveah sat back against the chair and took it with steady fingers as Hannibal leaned against the edge of his desk.
"A variation of Hans Von Gersdoff's Wound Man" he spoke as Oliveah sat the drawing back down on the desk top.
Will had displayed the original illustration among his slides of the lecturke he had invited her to months earlier, and the power of the drawing had stayed with her ever since.
"Where did your inspiration for the woman come from?" she questioned as Hannibal ignored her words.
"You've just come from the State Hospital" he spoke as Oliveah took a deep sip of the wine, blinking her eyes as it stung the back of her throat.
"You've spoken to Dr, Bloom."
"Yes, and she was very vocal about being dismissed as a witness in Will's defense" he added as Oliveah rubbed her thumb along the leather arm of the chair.
"I've been called to testify."
Raising her eyes onto his, she expected the words from his mouth.
"So have I."
Holding her glass steady, Oliveah looked down to her lap as Hannibal shifted closer.
"Is…is this all part of your plan? For Will's innocence?"
Watching Hannibal sip his wine, she knew he wasn't going to answer her.
"A plan that doesn't concern you" he had told her in the darkness of her bedroom.
"Will's mind is fragile enough, you want him to break completely?" she spat as the Doctor fixed his eyes on hers.
"You opened your mind to me, would not having Will the same be so bad?"
Wishing she had a coaster to set her wine on, Oliveah tried to swivel the chair around but found Hannibal's leg preventing movement as he leaned in slightly towards her.
"I don't want Will to get hurt."
Her words sounded pathetic, but she spoke the honest truth.
"What I am doing and plan to do is for Will's benefit" he finished as he moved his leg. Watching Oliveah rise to her feet, Hannibal pursed his lips as she returned to stand in front of the fireplace.
"What will you do if Will is broken?"
Setting his glass down on the desk, Hannibal moved to stand directly behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist before pressing his chest against her back. Moving his mouth down against her ear, the Doctor took in a deep breath.
"I'll have to put his pieces back together; Just like I am doing with you."
Feeling a chill running down her spine, Oliveah stared into the flames of the fire as Hannibal breathed against her ear.
Am I putting your pieces back together Hannibal?
"Another drawing of your Aunt?" she noted as Hannibal brought his eyes up to the mantle.
"I owed her a great deal. Without her, my life and upbringing would have been very different."
"What was your childhood like?"
Letting out a hum against her ear, Hannibal released his arm from around her waist and returned to his glass of wine. Downing the remaining contents of his glass, he took up his suit jacket and straightened it over his broad shoulders.
"Another conversation for another time" he gruffed as he checked his watch.
"I have a patient scheduled for two o'clock."
Hearing his words, Oliveah watched as he retrieved her jacket. Feeling his hands on her shoulders, she dug her mitts and hat out of the pockets as Hannibal escorted her to the private patient exit in silence.
Feeling the man's eyes burning onto her back, Oliveah pushed open the front door of the office building and dared not to turn around as Hannibal pursed his lips.
Out like a bag of trash for the bin
Walking down Bayshore, Oliveah tucked her chin into her coat as she hurried past a young couple stealing a kiss in the middle of the sidewalk.
That will never be you Oliveah.
Get it out of your head that you and Hannibal Lecter will ever be anything.
He is a serial killer and you know that.
You're just as guilty as he is. Anyone else who dies by his hand will be on you as well.
Pulling her hat down more firmly over her ears, Oliveah spied the city bus that would bring her close to Hopkins and as she jogged to the stop joining others shuffling to keep the cold out, her mind finally screamed…
YOU WILL GO TO JAIL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
…
Baltimore County Courthouse, Baltimore, Maryland…
3 days later…
"I don't believe we've been introduced, my name is Kade Prurnell, an Investigator for the Office of the Inspector General" the short haired woman spoke before holding out her hand to Oliveah.
"Oliveah Adler."
"Yes, I've heard your name a few times. You are Dr. Bloom's student. Interesting to see how in a few short months since being hired you've managed to land yourself here in everyone's company" Prurnell spoke in a low tone as Oliveah released her hand.
"Being her assistant as well brings me into close contact with whom she is working with" Oliveah challenged as Prurnell studied her face.
You know nothing about me Ms. Prurnell
Taking a seat in the pew, Oliveah kept her hands in her lap as everyone around her started to settle in for the opening morning's testimony. A testimony that would include hers.
"How did you meet Will Graham?"
"I met him at the opening of the Evil Minds Research Museum. He didn't agree with what we called it" Crawford spoke, his voice booming even without the added assistance of the microphone.
"And what was your first impression of Mr. Graham?"
"He was intelligent, and arrogant and very likely on the spectrum."
"Which is why he wasn't a real FBI Agent, because he didn't pass the required psychological screening examinations?"
"Yes Ms. Vega."
"I'm confused then, you thought he was qualified enough then to work in the field? You let him have a gun and sent him out on his merry way?"
"Under my supervision" Jack growled as the Prosecutor straightened the front of her suit jacket.
"And you believed he was valuable to you because he could think like a killer."
"Will can think like anyone" he interjected as Vega strode to the evidence desk that was littered with tagged bags.
"Five horrendous murders. Over forty pieces of forensic and physical evidence that tells us that Will Graham can think like a killer because he is one who, rather than feeling tormented by the work he did, William Graham enjoyed the cover his role in the FBI gave him" she spouted, feeling proud of her words as she turned towards her chair.
"I don't believe that to be true."
Hearing Crawford's words, she halted before spinning around to face him squarely, the Courtroom lapsing into complete silence.
"Agent Crawford?"
"Will hated every second of the work. He didn't fake that. He hated it and I kept making him do it. I pushed him to the point of breaking."
"How very noble of you Agent Crawford to try and clear your conscience on the stage but why then is it that when you offered him the opportunity to quit, you bullied him into…" she began as Crawford slammed his fist down on the wooden ledge, sending the microphone to the floor with a crash.
"BECAUSE HE WAS SAVING LIVES!"
Feeling Prurnell moving beside her, Oliveah watched as the woman promptly rose to her feet, briefcase in hand and stepped past before heading out the double doors and into the hallway.
Turning her eyes onto the hulking Federal Agent who commanded respect out of his sheer presence, Oliveah bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to taste blood as she realized his dilemma.
He believes Will is innocent.
…
"The Court calls Oliveah Adler to the Stand."
Hearing the muffling of her name, she watched as the double doors opened before taking her steps one sure foot at a time.
The two-hour recess coinciding with lunch after Agent Crawford's blow up on the stand had not settled her nerves in the slightest as she had sat alone at a table with a muffin and a small coffee.
Rounding the stand, she stood tall as a young man holding a Bible asked her to place her hand on it.
"I swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" she announced as she took a light seat on the edge of the wooden chair. Spanning her eyes over the full courtroom, she was only aware of two sets of eyes focused on her face.
One pair belonging to Will, the other belonging to Hannibal.
"Will you please state your name and occupation for the Court?" Mr. Brauer asked as he stood to his feet, holding a pen between his fingers.
"Oliveah Adler, and I am a Masters student at Johns Hopkins University. I am also a Psychology Assistant to Dr, Alana Bloom" she spoke, hearing her voice announced over the small thin microphone that rested on the wooden ledge.
"Thank you. Can you tell the Court when was the first time you met William Graham?"
How could I ever forget...
"Not long after I was hired by Dr. Bloom, I accompanied her to Agent Jack Crawford's office at the FBI Unit in Virginia where I participated in a group discussion concerning Abigail Hobbs. Will Graham was present where his attitude was less than welcoming and more warning" she spoke as Will lowered his eyes to the table top.
"So at your first meeting with him, he was essentially trying to protect you?"
"Objection your Honour, Mr. Brauer is leading the witness"
"Sustained."
"Let me rephrase, how was the tone of Mr. Graham's words to you in your conversation?"
"He seemed uninterested in speaking to me, he seemed arrogant and…rude" she added knowing that Hannibal could attest to her description.
"What did he say?"
"He told me to go back to school as the real world is ugly and a different setting from Hopkins."
"I see. Ms. Adler, you were present with Mr. Graham when Dr. Sutcliffe's body was found correct?"
"Yes, I had taken Will to his second brain scan when he called me on my phone and asked me to come into the hospital. He had discovered Dr. Sutcliffe's body."
"How was his behavior while you waited with him for the police?"
"He sat down and didn't touch the body" she answered as Brauer nodded his head.
"Has William suggested to you recently that someone else might be responsible for the murders he is accused of?"
"Objection your Honor."
Hearing Ms. Vega's voice, Oliveah blinked as she turned her head up to the Judge.
I can't answer this question
"Mr. Brauer, this testimony is to focus on Will Graham not to plant the art of suggestion for the Witness to draw up a random name" Judge Davis spoke sternly as Will's lawyer nodded his head.
"Of course your Honor. My final question for you Ms. Adler, has Mr. Graham ever warned you to stay away from him?"
From him?
No.
From Hannibal?
"No, he has not."
"Thank you, your witness" Brauer spoke towards the Prosecution table as Ms. Vega rose to her feet.
"Ms. Adler, how long have you known Mr. Graham?"
"I met Will back in September so, a little over five months" she spoke, hearing a muffled cough from someone in the jury box.
"I see, and have you ever spent any time in a non-work setting with him?"
Shit
"Dr. Bloom had asked me to take some papers to his residence in Virginia as she was tied up in a meeting with Dr. Chilton. I drove to his home and gave him the papers" she answered honestly, as she kept her eyes on Vega and no one else.
"And that was it? You drove almost two hours and handed off the papers then left?"
She wants to hone in on anything romantic
"Mr. Graham asked me if I wanted to stay for dinner and I accepted. Two hours later and I was back on the road to Baltimore."
Narrowing his eyes, Hannibal held his breath as Oliveah spoke of spending time with Will.
He did not blame her for spending time with Will, though he had been curious about her since their first meeting in Jack's office.
"Right, and Ms. Adler, can I ask why you allowed yourself to drive Mr. Graham to such a late appointment at the hospital?"
Jesus…
"He was scared. His first appointment found nothing on the scans and he was worried about being alone and driving alone. He asked if I would drive him and I said yes immediately."
"And why would you offer to do that for a man you've only met months ago?"
"Because Will asked for my help. He was brave enough to ask for help, and he was strong enough mentally to notice that he needed to be helped" she spat as Ms. Vega smiled.
"Just a question Ms. Adler, no need to get defensive. I was just wondering if you still felt the same way to helping him after he had sent you a fishing lure constructed from the late Abigail Hobbs?"
Feeling her stomach sink, Oliveah turned her eyes to Will and caught his stare.
"I would still help him."
…
1 North Clinton Street, Baltimore, Maryland…
Smelling the pizza wafting in from the kitchen, Oliveah kicked off her black flats and was immediately met with a bottle of beer inside the door.
"Your part in his trial is done. You can relax" Tyler smiled as she took the beer and a lengthy sip.
"Hardly. I shouldn't have been on the Stand at all."
"Your testimony was raw and truthful. Not mixed up in professional ethics and academia."
"Gee, thanks."
"Pizza will be ready in ten minutes, so go put on sweats. It's a lounge night" Andrew smiled as Oliveah cocked an eyebrow.
"Why are you so happy?"
Tossing aside the oven mitts, Andrew hoisted himself up on the edge of the counter and leaned back.
"I wasn't going to say anything until after, but…Ah shit I'm too excited. I GOT INTO COLUMBIA LAW!" he shouted before breaking into laughter as Tyler moved to stand beside him with a hand on his knee.
"That's amazing, I'm so excited for you!" Oliveah smiled widely as she raised her bottle in a cheer.
Another chapter opening up in life.
What chapter will open in my life?
Watching her housemates exchange a sloppy kiss, Oliveah finished her beer before setting it on the table.
"Tyler is going to take a position in the City too, so look for a Save the Date sometime after we buy a Brownstone" Andrew roared as Oliveah pulled open the fridge for another beer.
"My hats off to you both" she smiled as she tossed the cap into the garbage.
"With all this good news, we can't help but wonder about what you're going to do Olive?"
Hearing Andrew's concern, Oliveah closed her mouth as she tried not to look pathetic.
"The end of this week I am going to submit my applications for Ph. D programs" she lied as Andrew narrowed his eyes.
"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of what you would do if we all agreed to give up the lease for April 1st?"
April 1st?
That's a month and a half away
"Dan has been itching to haul ass over this place and renovate it since before we even moved in, and I'm sure he would be happy to see us out early before the unofficial student moveouts march across Baltimore"
Less than two months to decide if I am going to further my education, or find a job, find a place to live, and pay back all my owed tuition to Hopkins.
But who am I to stand in the way of them getting on with their future?
Taking a seat, Oliveah let her beer rest on the table top as Tyler planted a kiss on Andrew's jeaned knee.
"April first is fine with me" she smiled, feeling the migraine starting to grow behind her eyes as a million questions started screaming at her.
"I'm going to go change, then I want to see two pieces on that plate" she smiled, nodding her head towards the stack of plates as she rose to her feet.
Climbing the aging wooden stairs, she felt her legs growing heavy as she reached her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"Jesus…Jesus…" she breathed as she leaned against her writing desk while stripping out of her business casual attire.
Shoving her clothes aside on the floor, Oliveah took a heavy seat at her desk as she moved her finger over the mousepad of her laptop. She knew her bank account number off by heart and knew there would not be much waiting in terms of a balance.
$523.98
Moaning as she propped her head up on her hand, Oliveah rubbed her bare shoulder as she stood up. Grabbing her black t-shirt and sleeping shorts, she dressed before staring at the bed.
Curling up with the blankets over my head isn't going to do deadly squat
Leaving her bedroom door open as she went back downstairs, she piled herself onto the chair and wrapped the Bay blanket around her waist as Tyler handed her another beer and a plate of pizza.
We won't have too many more of these nights left
Watching her housemates taking their seats on the couch together, Oliveah stared down at her plate as she felt the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.
Less than two months before no more of this
What in the fuck am I going to do?
…
Setting her alarm for seven hours from now, Oliveah had started to scroll through some of the pictures on her phone of her, Tyler, and Andrew dating back to last summer before the start of the semester when a call came through.
Blinking at the caller id, she had almost wished it had said H. Lecter and not A. Bloom.
Jesus Oliveah, you're like a yapping little terroir nipping at his heels
"Hello Dr. Bloom."
"I don't fucking believe this, he is going to abandon his defense strategy it's mid-fucking trial!"
Sitting her back up hard against the cold wall, Oliveah pulled her phone away from her ear and saw that it was just past twelve in the morning.
"What is Will going to do?" she questioned, crossing her bare legs as she heard another curse on the other end of the line.
"After all the work, I have done for him, he decides to throw out his Automatism defense in the hopes that there is another killer who is responsible and that is powerful enough to set him free. He's somehow hoping for a mistrial, though God knows how that would happen" she added, sighing as Oliveah remained silent.
"Have you talked to his lawyer?" Oliveah spoke up, as Bloom cut her off.
"Of course I have but it's useless. Automatism he states was good at the time, now the idea that there is another killer killing remarkably similar to Will and communicating it to him is even better."
It is Dr. Bloom
Because Will is not crazy
"I just wanted you to be aware when the trial sits Thursday of the change of direction his case is going to take. And to take a good last long look at him because his way is going to see him serve consecutive life sentences without a day in the sunshine for the rest of his life."
…
Baltimore County Courthouse, Baltimore, Maryland…
Thursday
"The Court calls Dr. Hannibal Lecter to the Stand."
Staring straight ahead, Oliveah's ears picked up the sound of Hannibal's expensive shoes as he strode with confidence to the empty wooden chair that sat waiting.
What are you going to say Hannibal to get Will out of this? She wondered as he stood tall on the platform and promised to tell the truth.
"Morning Doctor. Please describe your relationship with Will Graham."
Shifting her eyes onto Will's profile, she almost thought the man was scowling as Hannibal studied him.
"I was asked by Jack Crawford to monitor Will's emotional well-being while he worked on cases. I was never officially his Psychiatrist" he spoke as Brauer leaned against the wooden ledge.
"If you weren't his Psychiatrist, then what were you?"
"I was meant to be his stability. I failed him in that."
"How did you fail him?"
"I was unable to determine if Will's condition was due to mental illness or stress from his work at the FBI. My mistake was never to consider his innocence until the murder of a bailiff from this Courthouse."
"And how did you know about that Dr. Lecter?"
"I've been asked to consult on the case by Jack Crawford."
"So, you believe that the bailiff's murder was committed by the same person guilty of Will Graham's alleged crimes?"
"Objection your Honor. Profiles aren't evidence, they are strictly opinion" Vega spoke with irritation as the Judge studied the paper in front of him.
"I will allow it."
Point for Will Oliveah noted as Hannibal crossed his legs and folded his hands in his lap.
"I believe there are alarming similarities between the crimes" Hannibal replied calmly as Brauer turned to look at his client.
"Will Graham once accused you in these crimes for which he stands trial and now here you are, testifying right now on his behalf."
Taking in a deep breath, Hannibal locked eyes with Will and opened his mouth to speak sincere words.
"Will Graham is and will always be, my friend."
"Your witness."
Shifting his eyes onto Ms. Vega, Hannibal was prepared for her attack.
"Dr. Lecter, what was the death in the cause of the bailiff's murder?"
"A bullet, to the heart."
"And in Will Graham's victims, what was their cause of deaths?"
"Mutilation" he tasted strongly as Oliveah felt a shiver run down her spin.
He speaks the word as if it were art she noted, interlacing her fingers to keep from fidgeting.
"That's very different from a bullet Doctor" Vega pointed out as Hannibal remained still.
Do not patronize me Ms. Vega
"No two crimes of any killer are going to be exactly the same."
"Your Honor, the witness's personal beliefs and biases are driving him to these conclusions. There are clearly two different killers and two different cases" she spoke, raising her voice as Brauer leapt up to his feet.
"Your Honor, there are…sufficient similarities to consider this a defense."
"I'm ruling this defense…inadmissible"
"God damn it Will, I knew it…"
Hearing Bloom's heated whisper as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back in frustration, Oliveah kept her eyes firmly trained on Hannibal as he continued to stare at the Prosecution.
"All previous testimony regarding the matter will be stricken from the record."
Watching the seated man sitting ever so comfortably on the stand, Oliveah felt his eyes bearing down hard on hers as she recognized his intent…
He was going to kill, to get Will out of all this.
…
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