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 35
Song(s): She Owns the Streets (The Raveonettes), Devil's Trill Sonata Violin Sonata in G Minor (Tartini)
Feeling the warm sunshine on her cheeks as she removed her knit hat, Oliveah stuffed it into her jacket pocket as she stopped along the edge of the sidewalk to set up her playlist for the long, scenic walk to Bayshore…
Scrolling through her contacts, she settled on Hannibal's office number and moved her thumb around, spying the call log before swiping to clear the backlog.
She had thought to call his office instead of making the trek on foot during the busy lunchtime hour, but in all honesty…
She wanted to see him in the flesh.
"Ask him what kind of wine we should bring if he says yes to dinner" Andrew smiled as he threw on his signal and angled the car along the sidewalk in a bus loading zone.
"I'm sure he'll have wine Andrew."
Hearing the honking of the cars stuck in gridlock as she walked down the street, Oliveah increased the volume on her phone as the Raveonettes sang through her earbuds.
I can't wait to get to know you
I wanna be the one that gives you the ride
If they catch you and connect you
They'll never know what this life is about
"If I had the opportunity to leave Baltimore at this very moment, would I?" she whispered to herself over the lyrics as she stopped at a crowded crosswalk.
Hannibal always keeps his promises, but would he just leave me here?
Spying the signal to walk, Oliveah raised her eyes onto the windows of the tall city buildings as they caught the sun's reflection and was almost transported back to the Financial District of Toronto as she remembered walking around one afternoon after skipping her last period class.
That had been the day after she had broken Courtney's nose in the bathroom.
Avoiding a parked taxicab as it threw on its four-way flashers much to the dismay of the cars lined up behind it, Oliveah smiled as she watched an elderly man slam his fist down on the yellow hood.
Everyone is full of rage
At any time, a person can lose control and exert the violence that lingers down deep within
…
Dr. Hannibal Lecter's Office, 687 Bayshore Ave – Suite 200, Baltimore, MD…
10:56am
Standing on the stone step, Oliveah dug her phone out of her pocket and paused the music.
He could be with a patient, or not even upstairs at all she thought as she turned to face the iron wrought fence that ran along the front of the property. Taking out her Blackberry, she thumbed through her contacts once more and hit call.
Staring at the traffic moving along the road, she counted three rings before the good Doctor answered.
"Good morning Oliveah, I trust you slept well?"
Catching her breath at his bold question, Oliveah watched as a young woman stroll past the opening of the gate, pushed a stroller while clutching at a smaller child struggling to keep up on her left.
I did sleep well actually.
So, what does that mean?
"I apologize if you are with a patient" she began confidently as Hannibal switched the phone to his other ear.
"When I am with a patient, my calls are directed to a private answering service" he spoke, rising to his feet as his ears picked up the sound of an angry car horn coming through the phone line.
Making his way across the wooden floor, he halted in front of one of two floor to ceiling glass windows framed with grey and deep red curtains before tucking one side behind a black metal bracket in the shape of a coiled snake
"May I ask where you are?"
Taking a step forward, Olivea turned around and glanced up at the set of windows, catching Hannibal's face as he slowly tucked his chin into his chest.
"Would you care to come up?"
…
Dr. Frederick Chilton's Office, Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane…
11:01am
Shifting in his chair, Jack Crawford reached up and pulled at the Windsor knot to allow some slack along his throat.
Hearing Chilton moving behind him, he watched as a glass of scotch appeared at his arm. Taking a small sip, his dark eyes followed Chilton as the man took a heavy seat behind his desk, propping his cane up against the bookshelf.
"You are quickly running out of suspects Agent Crawford."
Feeling the burn of the scotch against the back of his throat, Jack pursed his lips as he let the tumbler rest on the arm of the leather chair.
"The Ripper hasn't stopped toying with my whole god damn department since the day his first kill became public" he spat, feeling the pent-up exhaustion mounting in his shoulders.
Taking a deep sip from his own glass, Chilton swirled the contents around the small cubes of ice before leaning back in his chair.
"He continues to make a mockery out of all of us, and I don't see him stopping until he is behind bars either in a maximum facility or here in my own."
Nodding his head, Jack downed the rest of his drink before leaning forward to deposit the tumbler on the desk edge.
"The Ripper is always three or four steps ahead, and as much as I want to believe that he is going to make a mistake, he never will if it's not on his terms" he spoke, running his hand over his chin as Frederick tapped two fingers on his desk.
"You still have Hannibal Lecter on your list?"
Giving a small nod of his head, Jack couldn't help but sigh as he mentally tallied his dwindling list of suspects, not confident that whoever was left would be the actual Chesapeake Ripper.
"I've spoken to Hannibal, he's given DNA samples, brought in his suits for hair and fiber matches, but there has been nothing. He even conveniently has an alibi the night Abel Gideon was wheeled right out of the hospital doors."
Perking his ears up, Frederick ran a hand over his mouth as he debated on the choice of his next words.
"May I ask what his alibi was?"
"Dr. Lecter is involved with Oliveah Adler and she was conveniently at his house the morning after his dinner party."
Conveniently
"So, my inkling that she was sleeping with one of them proved ultimately correct" Chilton spoke, feeling a slight high deep within as he thought of his recorded tapes locked away in his bureau across the room.
"Have you thought to bringing her in for questioning Jack?"
Rubbing his temple. Crawford rose to his feet as he straightened his tie before reaching for his coat draped along the back of his chair.
"Now that it is confirmed she is sleeping with him, it might be wise to find out what she really knows about our Lithuanian friend."
...
Shrugging her jacket off, Oliveah felt Hannibal's fingers lightly sliding down her back as she watched him lay it gently on the light blue sofa. Watching him turn around, she felt her stomach sink as he stared down into her face.
Feeling his thumb tracing along her jaw, Oliveah brought her eyes up onto his as he lowered his lips onto hers.
God, what would waking up to him every single morning be like?
Feeling his upper lip lingering on hers, she breathed in deeply before touching the knot of his red tie.
"How did you sleep?" she whispered, hearing a low hum in his throat as he reached down and picked up her hand. Bringing it up, he brushed her palm with his lips before ushering her towards the sofa across the office floor.
"Your absence was noticed."
Hearing his words as she took a seat, she felt his weight as he sat beside her.
"Tomorrow morning is my meeting with Alana Bloom. She is convinced that all my research notes were plagiarized from other sources and has called my entire thesis into question" she blurted out as Hannibal folded his hands and leaned forward.
"An inexcusable and pathetic accusation" he sneered, turning his eyes onto her hands as she interlaced her fingers.
"I wanted to tell you yesterday, but…"
"Dinner took precedence" he finished, watching her fingers balling into fists.
Rising to his feet, Oliveah watched his shadow cross in front of her as she listened to his footsteps walking towards the side door reserved for exiting patients. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply, holding her breath at the top of her lungs before the clinking sounds of ice cubes met her ears.
Opening her eyes onto Hannibal's dress shoes, Oliveah reached out and took the cold glass of water that was being offered to her.
Taking a long gulp, she sat the glass between her boots as Hannibal moved towards his desk. Reaching into his pant pocket, he withdrew a set of keys and singled out a small gold before inserting it into the small lock above the right-hand drawer.
Slowly pulling it open, his dark eyes fell onto the paperclipped stack of handwritten and typed notes, folded over to conceal their identity. Running his fingers over a dog-eared corner, he picked them up and pushed the drawer closed.
"You will forgive me Oliveah, but I believe these, will come in handy."
Sitting up straight, her eyes fell on the folded papers between Hannibal's fingers as he came to stand in front of her.
"What is this?"
Hearing her question, he nodded his head in gesture as she reached out and took the pages. Sliding off the paperclip, she flipped through and immediately felt a mixture of irritation, anger, and vulnerability.
"These…these are some of my research notes" she breathed, bringing a hard eye up onto Hannibal's face.
"I asked you months previous for you to bring me your thesis…" he began as Oliveah rose to her feet.
"So…because I didn't, you somehow, swiped some of my research notes? Out of what? A dying interest to see just what everyone else sees in me?" she spat, as Hannibal folded his hands behind his back with a step backwards.
"I know what I see in you" he growled as Oliveah flipped to the final piece of paper.
"You'll do well to see that my signature and a post date along with a few of my own thoughts are written throughout your passages Oliveah" Hannibal spoke calmly as she flipped once more through the pages.
Your name and signature are like pure gold Dr. Lecter
"How did you even get these Hannibal?" she breathed, suddenly pursing her lips as she knew exactly which night in question he would speak of.
"The night you visited Bedelia; the night she outsmarted you, and you ended up coming to me in plastic" Oliveah whispered as Hannibal narrowed his eyes.
"Yes."
The night he read Bedelia's letter of warning, and my Step-Father's parole hearing in the dark of my bedroom
"Just…perfect."
Re-taking her seat on the sofa, Oliveah sighed as she tucked her notes into the back pocket of her black jeans.
"I'm forever in your debt Hannibal, once again."
Hearing her strained whisper, the Doctor unbuttoned his suit jacket and took a seat beside her, leaving an inch of space as he folded his hands.
"Has, Dr. Bloom called you?"
Taking in a deep breath, Lecter reached over for the sitting glass and downed the remaining water in a single gulp, leaving the ice cubes.
"To condemn me as a man? No, she has not."
I wonder if she is brave enough to do such a thing?
To call out a man who wouldn't think twice to visiting her in a one-piece plastic suit with a butcher knife at the ready.
"Earlier, you asked me if I slept well" Oliveah started as she rose to her feet. Slowly walking to Hannibal's large desk, she rounded the corner and took a seat in his leather chair.
"I did. But I shouldn't have."
Rising to his feet, Hannibal shoved his hands into his pants pockets as he made his way towards her.
"Would you like to discuss last night?"
Keeping her seat, she watched him move an equally comfortable high back chair into place nearly beside her as he sat and turned around to face her.
Feeling the slight distance, she could have reached out and touched his hand or forearm as she decided to interlace her fingers in her lap.
"I didn't know what to think when I saw Abel Gideon sitting at your table" she began, catching Hannibal's eye as he listened silently.
"Abel Gideon thought that his end would come at the hands of the Chesapeake Ripper, he was mistaken" Hannibal spoke calmly as Oliveah winced.
His end will come by my hand
"You've freed Will as the Ripper. When Gideon is gone, who will be next?"
Licking his lips, the seated Doctor smiled internally.
"Someone who fits the FBI's profile just as much as I do" he spoke, grinning slightly as Oliveah caught his amusement.
"You're going to frame Dr. Chilton aren't you" she breathed as Hannibal crossed his legs.
"Frederick has been framing himself for quite some time. My actions to plot the suggestion merely required the use of several sharp knives" he teased as Oliveah laid a palm flat on the desktop.
"He has been a thorn in many sides, and I wouldn't be sad to see this coming to him" she offered honestly as Hannibal leaned back in his chair with comfort.
"I'm pleased you agree."
Hearing the distant sounds of Baltimore lunchtime traffic from the street below, Oliveah moved her eyes onto Hannibal's black appointment book and wondered if he had ever written her name down anywhere.
"I was having breakfast with my old housemate this morning and Freddie Lounds approached me" Oliveah spoke, taking out Lounds's business card from her pocket and placing it on the desk. She could feel Hannibal's irritation almost immediately as she watched his eyes move to the card.
"And what did she want?"
Taking the card off the desk, she held it firmly between her thumb and forefinger, scanning her eyes over the word Journalist.
"She wants to continue writing Abigail's book, with my help."
"I see."
"There is a part of me that still wants to help Abigail tell her story. But then, I'm always reminded that she can never voice her own to anyone but us. To the world, she will always be seen as the cannibalistic accomplice to her father."
"Abigail has taken charge of her life" Hannibal spoke as Oliveah met his eyes.
"Where did she go?"
"I promised her that I would divulge her whereabouts to no one; not even you" he spoke sternly as the young woman seated across from him flicked Freddie's card away.
"And you always keep your promises" her mutter rang out as he smiled.
"I do."
Rising to her feet, Oliveah rounded her chair and made her way to the now dormant fireplace, the weather outside no longer warranting a cozy fire. Hearing Hannibal's throat clearing as he came to stand beside her, she kept her eyes firmly fixed on the sketch of his late Aunt above on the mantle.
"I don't remember being a violent child, though with all the neglect and lack of basic needs, I'm surprised I am not worse off."
"You told me about finding your step-brother dead on the bathroom floor, you told me of your desire and interest in tasting his flesh…"
"I got into a fight at school. A girl had been my own personal bully since the early days of grade five, and she never relented until one day I broke her nose in the bathroom just after school. I watched her bleed, I heard her sobs, and I soaked up her threats to kill me."
"You wanted to kill her?"
"I would have loved to kill her, but I made myself stop."
Glancing down to her profile, Hannibal moistened his lips as he waited for her to continue.
"Why did you stop?"
Throwing her eyes up onto his profile, Oliveah swallowed hard.
"Because she wasn't worth the effort."
Hearing Hannibal's hum from the back of his throat, she felt his hand against her shoulder as he stepped in close.
"I will allow you to take your time with Dr. Gideon, and you may choose whom after you desire to kill when you are ready to continue."
When I am ready to continue
"Do you intend to stay in Baltimore until the very end Hannibal?"
Hearing her words, he picked up on her concern before turning around towards his desk.
"I intend to stay for as long as necessary" he replied, moving past Oliveah as she focused back on the charcoal portrait of Lady Murasaki suddenly remembering her initial reason for coming to the office.
"Hannibal? I have a question…"
...
Dr. Hannibal Lecter's Residence, 51 Springlake Way, Baltimore, MD…
7:01pm
"Jesus, you weren't kidding when you said he lived in a mansion. There's got to be at least five bedrooms…" Andrew coughed as Oliveah reached out for the doorbell.
"Six actually, and a study, and a library, and one hell of a kitchen" she replied, pressing her thumb against the bell.
Watching the front door open, her green eyes fell onto the white dress shirted chest of the handsome Doctor as he stepped aside with a smile.
"Good evening Oliveah."
Stepping aside to allow Andrew into the foyer, she watched as Hannibal closed the door firmly with one hand before reaching out and extending his other.
"Hannibal Lecter, and you were one of Oliveah's housemates?" he questioned, breaking the weak handshake as Andrew smiled.
"Yes, she came to live with my partner and I two years ago right after driving an obscene number of hours from Montreal, Canada" he smiled as Oliveah watched him hold out a bottle of red wine.
Accepting the bottle with a smile, Hannibal stepped aside as coats were shed into the walk-in closet before Andrew focused his eyes onto the hallway.
"I appreciate the dinner invitation on such a short notice Dr. Lecter. As I was only in Baltimore until the late evening before heading back to New York and law school" Andrew smiled as he walked shoulder to shoulder with the six-foot cannibalistic serial killer.
"Congratulations on your acceptance to Columbia, which law will you be studying?"
Catching sight of the massive carpeted staircase to his right, Andrew darted his eyes from painting to painting as the smell of rosemary and sage wafted in through the downstairs.
"I'm thinking criminal, more along the lines of a Defense Attorney…damn whatever is cooking in the kitchen smells so good."
I wonder what his choice of meat is? Oliveah wondered as she halted in steps along with Hannibal and Andrew.
Or rather, whom, his choice of meat is
"Oliveah, if you would be so kind as to show your friend to the dining room?"
Feeling Hannibal's hand on her lower back, she breathed in deeply as he stepped away towards the kitchen.
"Why in the hell have you not moved in here Olive? I mean Jesus…this place needs no woman's touch!" Andrew exclaimed as they moved towards the set of closed, brown sliding doors sectioning off the dining room.
"You want me to propose to him too?" she sneered, sliding open the doors to reveal a beautifully dressed table with an assortment of red, white, and black dyed roses.
"You should let me talk to him. I'll convince him" he smiled with a wink, spying a laid-out sampler of cheese, crackers, and caviar on the dark wooden table top.
"Jesus…Galilee Osetra and Spoonbill caviar? This stuff is about two hundred dollars."
"He can afford it Andrew."
"Well, if he can afford all this just for us, he can afford you a ring."
Why in the hell did I agree to this idea?
"Andrew, please don't…"
Hearing footsteps approaching from the kitchen, Oliveah watched as Hannibal entered carrying a lavishly decorated tray of lamb bones.
"Grilled rack of mountain state lamb with potato and parsnip puree, minted peas with spinach, butter braised baby carrots and a red wine reduction" he announced, catching Oliveah's eye as she stared at the place settings for three.
Yes Oliveah, the exact same seating arrangement as the night before
Pulling out the chair directly behind her, Hannibal rested his hands on her shoulders as he watched Andrew take up his napkin.
"This is some ding in the table here…"
Throwing her eyes up onto her friend, Oliveah watched as Andrew slowly traced his index finger along the gouge that had been created the moment Hannibal had slammed down one of two carving knives through Abel Gideon's hand, pining him down as Oliveah raised her own weapon.
"This table has seen many accidents over the years" Lecter smiled as Oliveah reached for her wine glass.
"I have to admit Doctor, I kinda bullied Olive here for the dinner invitation as I've heard such great things about your cooking from my Aunt."
Holding back his irritation at the name Olive, Hannibal took up his knife and fork and lightly cut away a small piece of lamb before placing it on his tongue.
"May I ask who your Aunt is?" he questioned, watching Oliveah seated across from him pushing a carrot around her plate.
Eat Oliveah
"Carole Dunham, she used to be on the Board of Directors…"
"The Board of Directors for the Walters Art Museum" Hannibal smiled as Andrew nodded his head in amazement."
"Wow, good memory considering she has been retired for nearly five years" he blurted out as Hannibal tilted his head.
"I never forget a face."
Setting down her fork, Oliveah reached for her water glass and immediately had a vision of Gideon tapping his fingers along the prongs of his fork as he attempted small talk in the bid to hide the terror that shook his very soul of what was waiting for him as he disappeared piece by piece.
"Are you still working with the FBI on the Chesapeake Ripper case?"
Blinking quickly as she realized her friend's question was not directed to her, Oliveah sat her eyes on the good Doctor as he batted neither an eyelash nor gave any hint to the discomfort of the topic of discussion.
"Not so much now that their list of suspects has lowered dramatically."
Finishing the last carrot on his plate, Andrew wiped at his mouth as he reached for his wine.
"I always thought the Ripper was that William Graham, but I guess we were all wrong" he spoke confidently as Hannibal grinned.
"Do you have any interest in the Ripper Andrew?"
No…Hannibal no….
"I think I'd be lying if I didn't say I'd love to sit at a table and pick his brain" he answered with a hint of guilty pleasure as Hannibal allowed the grin on his face to spread into a smile.
"Do you hear that Oliveah? Your friend here would love to sit with the Chesapeake Ripper."
…
Thank you to everyone for subscribing and following! Thank you to Americanlatinajapanesegirl, Mara-Lethe, DandelionDani, Luce1993, Nirvana14 for leaving reviews!
P.S. I will be aiming to update this story every other Saturday (fingers crossed x) so stay tuned!
P.P.S. There will be one more chapter posted before Christmas! And I will be returning to follow the original storyline!