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HANNIBAL: Husband. Psychopath.
Hoping to relax his wife Hannibal began massaging Clarice's back, his firm hands kneading and rolling her muscles, loosening under his expert touch.
Resting her cheek on her husband's broad chest she listened to his heart beating, her head dipping and rising with each breath as if floating on a restful wave.
Though she didn't immediately speak, Hannibal could not sense the beginnings of her ease, instead focusing on the stress hormones still flooding her system. He imagined the hive of apprehension swarming within her mind.
"Clarice, your silence is deafening. The veritable whirlwind of concerns swirling around us scream to be spoken."
She kissed his bare chest, words interrupted as her lips pressed to his flesh. "You left …me, H…you… were upset…and then…you…just…left."
Her lips lighting on his ribs and chest fluttered against his flesh. Pulling her tightly to him, he rested his nose within her hair and breathed deeply. He kissed the top of her head.
"I do have feelings, my Love. My son, our son… you spoke of his gifts as if they were an unwelcome burden. As if my genes and my tutelage have robbed you of your baby."
Clarice squeezed his body, hugging him tightly. He believed the gesture might be her way of reinforcing her love for him. It was not necessary. Her love filled him.
She whispered, "I was shocked. I had no idea how advanced…it came out of nowhere. You know I didn't mean that."
"You were not aware because he has been taught not to speak until he has been spoken to. His manners dictate the level with which he interacts with adults therefore if he isn't questioned he will not voluntarily contribute to a conversation. I must apologize, Clarice. I have questioned him at great length because I wanted you to experience his thought processes. I wanted you to understand his capabilities, but it isn't something he would offer freely nor was it something you would believe without seeing. And you meant every word of it, my Love, but I understand the emotion behind the sentiment."
"I'm sorry, H…"
"There is no need for apologies. I am your husband and though we have a conventional marriage and a very routine life together you were not prepared for the fact that my children will not be…average, as I am not average. Our family will be unconventional at best, but if you wanted an ordinary family I would not have been the practical choice for a spouse. You obviously were not seeking ordinary."
"No. I don't want average. I don't want ordinary. I want you. I want Dev. I want our baby. I drove you away. I wish I hadn't hurt you, H. I was crushed when you left…"
"We are stronger for it, Clarice."
"I guess so."
"It is curious, my reaction to this. I find you have a way of moving me like no other. It both amazes and overwhelms me, Clarice. Know that you did not drive me away. I chose to remove myself as I'd reached an emotional point for which I was wholly unprepared. I felt I had two options: leave or react. Better I leave than behave in a manner not befitting a loving husband. That I responded on such a visceral level I will not apologize. I am a man and a man's pride is a tenuous thing at times. In your eyes, though it is not possible, I wish to be all."
"You are all, H and you always will be."
"No. You are a mother now. Our children have displaced me."
"Not displaced, H…never that."
"Yes, displaced. If I were drowning, Devyni as well, who would you effort to save?"
Clarice rolled onto her side away from Hannibal. Her voice was very quiet, speaking softly, "It isn't a fair question."
Turning onto his side as well, Hannibal spooned against her body. Dropping his chin over her left shoulder, he hushed within her ear, "That you do not relish the answer does not negate the question nor does it speak to the justice of said query."
She craned her neck allowing him to place tender kisses along her throat. "H…please. I don't want to talk about this."
"But we must or we will continue to misunderstand one another. If you cannot speak the words, my Love, have no fear; I will speak them for you. If my life and our son's life were in danger you would unequivocally save our son without a moment's hesitation or any thought of my welfare at all."
She rolled into his embrace.
"No, H. No…I'd…I'd try to save you both…I'd…"
Hannibal captured her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He kissed her lips.
"Perhaps, but do you think I would allow that? No, Clarice. Like you, I value my life much less now that we have a child…" He smoothed his palm over her bare belly, "...children. Know, now, that I am neither hurt nor offended by the notion that you would choose our children above all. That is as it should be. I chose well for my children, as you are a very protective mother. My Love, I am so very proud of the lioness you've become."
"I'm proud of you, too, H. I need you to know that. Our son is so gifted, so beautiful inside and out…thank you, my dear husband. I'm so happy you've come home to me…so happy to be in your arms. Never leave me again, H. Promise me."
"I would never leave you, Clarice, but there may be times I need some distance to put my own self-importance in check. I am a flawed man, but you know that. I was alone for far too long and I can be arrogant, even vain, but I love you. Remember that, Clarice…above all. I love you."
"I love you too, H." Sounding almost like an afterthought, she continued, "Where did you go, anyway?"
Hannibal placed his hands on her stomach, gently cupping her abdomen. He smoothed his hands over their child growing within. The sensation of the child moving within was something that calmed him.
"To the Cervelli ranch."
Clarice placed her hands over Hannibal's. He thought that perhaps the motion comforted her as well.
"Just recon or were you able to cull one from the herd."
His hands continued to move with her hands atop.
"Two in fact."
"When are you making your move?"
The baby kicked against his palm. Hannibal smiled.
"Two nights from now. I'd like to see if I might eradicate the lot of them at once. I have several scenarios in mind. I may attempt a two or three prong approach."
"Did you feel it too? She's kicking a lot more now."
A grin tugged at the corners of Hannibal's mouth noting it was the first time Clarice referred to the baby as a girl.
"Yes. She is quite active."
Stroking her thumbs on his hands still moving, she urged, "Want to give me a hint or two? Tell me a bit about your plans?"
Hannibal winked, "I've not come to a firm determination preferring to be prepared an see where opportunity takes me, but let us say that tonight I intend to wine and dine them."
"Are you sure it's safe?"
"The news of Chavez isn't public as of yet. It would have to appear to be a gang related assassination so there is no doubt the officials are sorting through the evidence before they make any announcements. That will buy me a day or two at most. I intend to take advantage of that small window of opportunity."
Clarice pressed down on his hands, stilling them.
"Don't take any chances, please."
He pulled her hands away from her body and kissed the pulse points of each wrist. He then placed her palms on his chest.
"I will make every effort."
"I don't like the way that sounds, H."
"I will do what is needed to protect our family without hesitation or apology, my Love. Did you speak with Ardelia last night?"
"Yes. She's inviting Dev and the baby to the wedding, too. Her family has a lot of children so she said there will be plenty of kids for Dev to play with."
"That might be awkward, Clarice. Without denigrating Ardelia's family, young Hannibal will not fit in with children his own age."
"He's got to learn how to behave around other kids, H…otherwise he's going to grow up to be a freaking psychopa…"
Mid-word, she stopped talking.
"Psychopath, my Love?"
"Jesus…H…I didn't mean it like that."
"I'm aware, Clarice. You don't wish your child to be a social misfit."
"I want him to have fun, so whatever that means to him is fine but I want him to enjoy being a child. He might be brilliant, but he's still a little boy…our little boy. He's like you, so maybe you can think back and try to remember what it was like for you. Maybe you can come up with a plan for him."
"Yes, Clarice. I shall endeavor to keep that in mind. When is the wedding?"
"September."
"That will make the baby four months old and Devyni just shy of a year and a half. Are you up to traveling with them or would you rather I stay behind with our children?"
"No. We're a family. We go together or we don't go at all."
"Very well, Clarice. I'll look into our options and construct a plan."
The intercom activated.
"Mommy? Daddy? I'm awake. Would one of you like to come and see me? I'm lonely."
Hannibal moved to sit up. Placing her hand on his chest, Clarice patted gently and smiled.
"You rest, H…I'll get the little man. You deserve some peace."
Hannibal kissed his wife. She went to the intercom and activated the speaker.
"Mommy's coming, Dev. Do you have a book where you can reach it?"
"Yes. Daddy placed many books in a basket hanging from the outside of my crib."
"Can you read for a couple of minutes? Mommy was just getting in the shower. If you are very patient with Mommy, Auntie and I will take you to the park."
"What about Daddy?"
"Daddy will be very busy today. He has an important errand to run. He will join us for dinner."
"I will read until you are ready. Thank you, Mommy!"
Clarice released her hold on the intercom. "I guess there's an upside to having a genius baby. I can shower without worrying about an emotional meltdown."
"Yes, your ability to shower uninterrupted is what makes our son so special."
"Oh, don't be such a wiseass, H!"
"Heaven forbid, Clarice…heaven forbid."
With his son, wife and aunt all out for the day, Hannibal tended to his plan. Placing several orders he arranged for a large delivery. It wouldn't be the perfect solution, but it might improve his odds.
The catering will be delivered at 7:00 pm. That leaves plenty of time to mix the drinks and provide for the evening's entertainment.
Visiting his wine cellar, Hannibal selected a case of very fine Malbec. He lined each one of the twelve bottles on a shelf. Next, he opened a box and lifted a large jug from the parcel. Pouring the liquid into an open container he placed the lancet of a hypodermic needle within the container and drew back the plunger filling the barrel. Carefully piercing the cork, Hannibal forced the sharpened tip through the stopper. Depressing the plunger, he expressed the liquid into the bottle. Hannibal repeated the process until the large container was emptied of its contents and he fully satisfied with the results.
It was nearly four. It took less than thirty minutes to deliver the case to the Cervelli ranch. Hannibal crept around the back of the manufacturing shed and placed the crate in plain view. Entering the building in his usual stealthy manner he ascended the loft. Crawling to a far corner he found the perfect vantage point. Hannibal waited.
Ten men and twelve bottles, let us see what your tolerance levels are my friends.
Slipping his hand within his jacket Hannibal tugged Chavez's cell phone the inside breast pocket. He quickly composed a text:
I'm Port in Buenos Aires- shipment prep confirmed- Food arriving 7pm 4 celebration dinner. Case of wine delivered behind building. Enjoy & C U 2morrow.
Hannibal searched for Mario's contact information and hit send.
Will you be surprised to see me, I wonder?
A phone began humming. Mario retrieved his cell and checked the message.
"Who can I trust to go get a crate of wine from the back of the building without falling off a fucking cliff or running themselves over with their own goddamned car?"
"You laugh, Mario, but there have been too many accidents. San La Muerte is working against us."
Mario scoffed, "San La Muerta is nothing more than a dead nun carrying a garden tool."
"She has power, Mario."
"Power? Hah! The whole thing is bullshit. End of story."
"Hannibal Lecter has power and he is the agent of San La Muerte."
"Hannibal Lecter is a toothless psychopath and old man. The only person who should be afraid of him is his wife that his heart might quit when he fucks her. He is no threat to us."
Hannibal looked over the edge of the loft. A spider scurried across the ground.
You may disrespect me whenever you like but that you dare to discuss my relationship with my wife in such a fashion? Rest assured, Mario. I shall take my time with you...
Until the next chapter, my friends!
LH
