Chapter 36
Amelia had informed Hannibal and Clarice that this little gang was lead by one Alfred Vasquez. He had been at the top of Clarice's hit list for a very long time. He is the leader of a prominent gang known as the Devil's Right Hand. Most of the leads Clarice took to him ended as a ghost trail. Not because this man was anything of note, but he simply demanded loyalty from those that worked for him. Most people would rather die than give any clue to his location. When Jason walked into the house, it was a shining opportunity to get rid of one of the biggest crime lords in the whole city. The main location he works at is a night club called Ruby. Hannibal and Clarice knew exactly where the club was located, right in the middle of downtown. What better place to hide than in plain sight?
Clarice had dressed in a tighter form fitting black dress with a purse in hand. Hannibal had dressed in black jeans, a gray top, and a black leather jacket. Had to look the part I suppose. They drove together, but parked a couple of blocks away in a parking garage. Hannibal agreed to enter first and wait at the bar and start ordering drinks. Clarice came in about 2 hours later and all eyes were on her. Her long flaming red hair and black dress complimented one another. Hannibal sat at the bar devouring her with his eyes. He saw a younger man approach her and flirt with her. He put his hand on her hips, and Hannibal felt a rage build up inside. But she laughed it off casually and brushed his hands off her taunting that he would have to buy her a few drinks first with a wink.
She walked around the bar and sat close to Hannibal but not right beside him so that people would not think they are together. Hannibal leaned in closer and whispered to her, "If the little whelp touches you again in that manner, his next cocktail will be at our home. But he will find his balls in place of olives."
Clarice smiled, "Save the bedroom talk for later handsome."
Hannibal gave a devilish grin and glanced at two armed security guards at the back door. One was flirting with a girl. He had a drink in his hand. Clarice smiled, she found the weak link at the door. Hannibal knew her thoughts exactly. There may be more guards behind the door my dear. Think of your options carefully. You have it in your bag yes?"
"Always, and you?"
"Always."
Clarice had a small gun with a silencer tucked away in her bag. Hannibal had his trusted harpy up his sleeve in his leather jacket. Clarice spoke, "I think between the two of us we can manage. They have key cards though. I will need to secure one of those-"
She was interrupted by the man who approached her earlier. He had two drinks in his hands, "Hey Baby! There you are! Been looking for you. I brought you a drink like you asked. What are you doing over her flirting with this old guy? You a gold digger or something?"
The guy's back was turned to Hannibal so he did not see the absolute inferno that blazed in Hannibal's eyes. Clarice could see Hannibal reaching for his harpy. She had to interject quickly on this one.
"You think I'm a gold digger huh? If that is true, what makes you think the likes of you can afford me?"
He looked confused, "I got….I got money!!!"
"Is that all you think you can measure a man's worth by? His money? Are you sure you aren't compensating for something?"
He looked furious and slammed her drink down and stormed off.
"Well done my dear."
"Had to do something or you would have."
"My, my, I am beginning to think that you know me too well."
Clarice laughed gently. "There are definitely going to be guards behind that door. Perhaps a distraction would work, but before anything…the key card."
"Right."
Clarice glanced back over and noticed the guard was dancing with the girl now. Clarice knew she could make the grab. She just had to make it smooth and effortless. He kept his key card clipped to his pants pocket. She could swipe it on a walk by so long as she didn't draw any attention to herself. She stood and mingled with the crowd. Hannibal sat back and observed. She gradually made her way closer and closer to the guard. She was dancing with a small group blending in well. She got closer and closer til she could hear the guard flirting with the girl.
"We could go to the back darling. It is almost break time for me."
"Vasquez would kill you."
"Oh please, Vasquez won't know a thing. I can show you the penthouse in the back. Share some champagne."
Clarice was almost there and just as she had reached out to grab the key card, the man from earlier jumped in front of her.
"There you are you little bitch! Think you can make fun of me and get away with it?!"
Everyone turned and looked including the security guard.
The younger man brought out a butterfly knife and brandished it around in front of Clarice. The security guard began yelling and everyone backed up. Hannibal was not about to wait for anyone. He jumped up, but knew he had to de-escalate the situation without Clarice getting hurt. Hannibal approached with a drink in hand wobbling his step to appear drunk. Hannibal then "accidentally" fell into the younger man pushing him off balance and onto his back. Hannibal staggered, "My….my apologies young man….I didn't….didn't see you there."
The sight of Hannibal faking the act of a drunkard almost made Clarice laugh, but she had to play it off.
"Fucking old bastard. The boy jumped up and charged but the other security guard caught him and Hannibal fell into the security guard next clumsily spilling his drink on the guard's shirt.
"Whoops." Hannibal grinned. The guard pushed Hannibal back and Hannibal "fell" onto the ground.
The security guard yelled, "Fucking drunk! I will be back to deal with you after I kick this little bitch out."
The other security guard jumped in to help and they dragged the younger boy out of the club.
The crowd was watching, but continued to dance and resume the club life when the security guards walked out with the young man.
Clarice bent over to help Hannibal up off the ground.
"Sir! Are you ok?" Clarice thought she sounded ridiculous.
"Yes. Thank you."
When he got back up to his feet she came in close to his ear, "I had no idea you were such a good actor. But what's the plan? The security guard still has the key card."
Hannibal smiled, "My dear." He flashed the key card in front of her face. "You should know the final act is just now beginning."
"Smooth as ever. Grabbed it when you fell into him didn't you?"
"A good actor never tells his secrets during a performance. "
Well that gets us passed the first door at least. Hannibal and Clarice slipped passed the dancing crowd and made it through the back door. They found themselves in a narrow hallway painted bright red.
The walls weren't the only thing that would be painted red however.
Back outside the security guards finished tossing the kid out and decided to take a smoke break.
"Fucking kid and old man. You should have seen this hot bitch. She was on to me all night long."
"Dumbass! She wasn't into you for that. Everyone just wants a piece of Vasquez."
"Whatever! I think I am gonna take her on back for a good time now. So if you don't mind-"
He froze.
"Mind what? Finish your sentence dumbass."
"Where the hell is my key card? I had it on me."
"Oh shit. Vasquez is gonna be pissed if you lost it."
"I didn't lose it! I had it on me. Maybe it dropped when we were carrying the kid out."
"Doesn't matter. You know Vasquez's rules. If you lose a key card, we have to go get new ones with new codes to unlock the door. Let's go. I will let you in."
They made there way back into the club and walked to the back door. They opened it and walked down the hall. The last door on the left was Vasquez's office. He made it a point that if anyone lost a key card that the codes were to be immediately changed as well as new cards issued to the guards. They knocked on the door and waited for a response. But no answer came. When they were finally brave enough to open it they saw Alfred Vasquez sitting in his chair with his belly cut open. The skin flaps were peeled back and pinned. His heart and liver were missing. The three guards assigned to him were shot dead. But before they had time to scream, the fire alarm went off. The sprinklers were activated. They both ran out of the building with everyone else. The place was burning down. By the time the fire department got there, most of the building had burnt down. The fire department found the drugs stashed in the back that had been set a blaze and by the time they found Vasquez, almost all of his body had burnt to ash. The culprits were never found, and with Vasquez and most of his gang gone, an investigation had been launched and police were under investigation.
Very interesting indeed.
A/N: Until next chapter my friends! Cannot wait to start the next section with you all. It will be more exciting and focusing a lot on their relationship with their child. But no spoilers! You will just have to read on and see what I have in store for you. As always comments are appreciated and I do take the time to read all of them. Thank you again for your support. Much love.
