Chapter 35

Hannibal brought out the knife and Jason began screaming. Clarice walked behind him with a rag and tied it around his mouth to muffle the screams. Hannibal smiled when he looked at her.

"How is the little one?"

"In the panic room just as we have practiced. I have a monitor watching him in the room."

"Excellent. Will you check on him again then for me Love, while I take care of things here?"

"Yes of course. But try not to have too much fun without me."

"Of course. No fun until your return."

As they smiled to one another they heard the doorbell ring and ring and ring. They glanced at each other again and their smiles faded. Clarice pulled out her gun and Hannibal walked around Jason and they both walked to the monitors across the room. Clarice had insisted on state of the art security systems. They had cameras all around their house.

They looked at the camera pointed towards the front door and saw Amelia standing there shaking and crying.

"Coincidence?" Clarice asked.

"I think not." Hannibal sighed.

They both ascended the stairs and Hannibal turned to look at Jason one last time, "Apologies for our abrupt departure. That is quite rude of us, but we have another guest to attend to. We will be with you momentarily." A wink and a devilish smile followed.

They made their way to the front door. Clarice had her gun behind her and Hannibal walked in front. When they answered the door, Clarice expected she would have to fire on Amelia, a shame really. Henry did love her company. Hannibal opened the door and Amelia was there panting, exhausted.

"Thank God! I thought you would be dead. I came here to warn you. There is a man coming!...He…

He…" her breathing became ragged.

Hannibal glanced over her shoulder and noticed the bicycle laying on the ground.

Clarice broke the silence, "Amelia, why don't you come inside?"

Amelia nodded, and when she passed the threshold, Clarice grabbed her arm and slammed her against the cabinets and pointed the gun at her.

Amelia panicked, "Wait! What?? I- "

Clarice cut her off, "Amelia, you have exactly 2 minutes to explain what the hell is going on."

"There…..there is man named Jason. He is coming here. I came here to warn you to-"

Hannibal shut the door, and turned on his heels, "Yes, Jason. I believe we have already met. I believe what my wife would like to know is how you know that dear Amelia. Because if you have put her son in any danger, she will show no mercy. Neither will I."

Amelia stood upright, "I wouldn't blame you for killing me. My brother, he is recovering. He used to be part of a local gang when he was younger, but I got him out. When I got home, Jason was already there. I paid him to leave us alone. He asked me where I was making money. I refused to give it to him. So-" Amelia stopped. She realized that if she told them that it was her brother that sold them out that they would kill him too. Who were these two? Both seemed so cold. They were not the two friendly smiling faces. They were cold blooded killers. It struck her then that she really knew nothing about this family.

"If I may," Hannibal broke the silence. He placed his hands on Clarice's shoulders and kissed the side of her head. Gently brushing his lips by her ear and he whispered something to Clarice. She lowered her gun a fraction to give Amelia room. "Amelia. You rode all this way on your bicycle to warn us of a home invader. You also obviously didn't give this Jason gentleman any information on how to enter the home, because he was unaware of Max as well as the security cameras hidden outside. Which leaves me to believe it was not you who told him of us. Was it your recovering drug addict of a brother then?"

Amelia panicked, "No please! He was just trying to protect me. Jason was trying to kill me…he…wait.. You said you met Jason, but where is he?"

"Would you like to see him?"

Hannibal and Clarice took Amelia down to the basement where Jason was tied up. Jason squirmed and struggled. When he saw Amelia, he froze.

Clarice spoke first, "So the two of you do know each other."

Hannibal walked behind Jason and undid the gag.

He gasped for air, "Amelia! What the fuck is going on, who are these people?"

"That is none of your concern. What is important to me as of right now is information. Who do you work for Jason?" Clarice asked.

No response. Hannibal took his knife and began cutting Jason's cheek very carefully. Jason screamed and Amelia felt sick.

"These are very tender cuts. It would be best if you could hold still a little better Jason." Said Hannibal.

Amelia threw up in the nearby trash can.

Jason cried, "Amelia! You did this to me!! You knew."

Amelia wiped her mouth, "Who cares! You have ruined my family and the lives of many others. I don't care if you die! I don't care if I die. I may not know who these people are, but if they could kill every last one of you, then I would consider that justice! Your gang has bought and killed the lives of many!"

Clarice patted Amelia on the back, "Amelia, what gang is he a part of?"

"The Devil's Right Hand."

Hannibal stopped the incision and glanced up to Clarice who glanced at him, "Consider this fate my love. You got your wish." Said Hannibal.

Amelia looked puzzled, "What?"

Clarice looked to Amelia, "I have been searching for their leader for a long time. The fact that one of his men finds himself in my home is almost too perfect. Thank you Amelia."

"You won't get him to talk."

"Perhaps not, but my husband can be quite persuasive. But let us go check on Henry. If you couldn't stomach that first cut, I doubt you will be able to watch the rest. Hannibal, my love, I leave the rest to you."

"Of course."

Clarice and Amelia ascended the stairs and went to the panic room where Henry sat playing with his lego blocks, "Momma, 'Melia!"

He jumped up and came running for a hug. Clarice embraced him close and smiled. Amelia marveled that all that ferocity she saw earlier had faded. What was before her now was simply a mother hugging her son.

"Henry, dad is downstairs working late. I thought you, me, and Amelia could spend some time together."

"When can I see Daddy?"

"Later Henry. I promise. But for now, how about some TV? "

"Yes!"

Clarice turned on the TV and placed the headphones on Henry so he could watch while Clarice and Amelia talked.

Once Henry was wrapped up in the show he was watching, Amelia spoke, "I never knew this room existed."

"No one does except Hannibal, myself, and Henry. We created this room to protect him."

"You called him Hannibal. Don't tell me you are the ones who escaped from America a few years ago? Are you Clarice?"

"Yes."

"I saw your story on the news stations and tabloid papers. I just can't believe all of this. What did you mean downstairs when you said you had been looking for the gang leader?"

"My husband loves to tease me, but I still do some investigative work on the side. He says it is because I can't let go. That I have to protect. But he is with me on just about every expedition I do. He is worried I am going to hurt myself one of these days."

Amelia watched Clarice smiling, "You really love him don't you? Despite everything he has done."

"Unconditionally, yes. I do."

Amelia didn't know what to think of feel so instead she just came right out with it, "Let me help you and your family please."

Clarice stood up and approached Amelia. They stood face to face now.

"What makes you think I can trust you?"

"I suppose you don't meet a lot of people you do trust, but these men have fucked up enough lives. I am done. They took my father, my brother, and everything from me. I want them gone. I would protect Henry with my life. Please, know that I am telling you the truth."

Clarice could almost burn a hole through Amelia with her gaze, "Amelia, swear on your life and the life of your brother that if any harm comes to Henry, you and your brother will suffer."

"I swear it. If any harm comes to Henry, I will give myself over to your wrath. I have nothing left. After he kills Jason, the boss will notice when his right hand man is gone. He will come looking. Either way I am as good as dead. So before I die, I would very much like to see his life end."

Clarice tilted her head just a fraction, "That is bold of you to say."

"It is, but you do not want your husband to go alone. I know you in that sense at least. If he goes alone to kill these men he may die, but together you could watch him. You love him, but I know you won't leave your son behind. Use me, Clarice. Use me to help you."

Clarice heard the door to the panic room open and Hannibal came through. This time he was dressed in different clothing undoubtedly to get rid of all the blood he was covered in.

Henry looked over and smiled running over, "Daddy!"

"Hello little one." Hannibal picked his son up.

"Daddy, I missed you."

"I missed you too. Henry, can you put your headphones back on for a moment? We need to talk to Amelia for just a moment."

"Yes Daddy." Henry ran back to the TV and placed his headphones on.

Hannibal ran his hand through his son's hair, and then walked over to Clarice and Amelia.

"Jason gave up the location Clarice, it is your call now."

"What?! How? Those men have sworn an oath there is no way-" Amelia was astonished.

Hannibal smiled, "Amelia my dear, death is a privilege, a luxury. Death is an easy escape. I do not get men to talk by killing them or threatening to kill them. I get them to talk by keeping them alive for as long as possible until they beg for death."

Clarice kissed her husband, "Amelia wants to help."

Hannibal arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Do tell."

Amelia stepped forward, "I can help. You know these men will come after you. They will find out Jason visited here. Let me take care of Henry in the mean time."

Hannibal glanced at Clarice, "You trust her Clarice?"

"Yes. She doesn't have anywhere else to go. I believe her."

"As you wish my love. We shall go on the hunt tonight then, before they have time to arrange another visit."