V. Cynisme.
Marlène looked shocked at Hannibal Lecter. That answer had stunned her. Jack entered the room next to a nurse, Hannibal released the woman's hand and got up from the place for the nurse to attend her. A few moments later the nurse declared that Marlène was suffering a nervous breakdown, she needed to rest and both men, willing to leave the interrogation for another day, were going to retire but were stopped by Marlène herself.
"Don't leave," she pleaded. Hannibal was alert. "Mrs. Gardner, you need to rest," the nurse demanded. "Please, don't leave ... please," she insisted with her nerves afloat.
Jack and Hannibal looked at each other, waiting for an answer. The agent nodded slightly and Lecter obeyed that. The nurse, not approving the decision of her patient, withdrew but not before warning both men that they only had ten minutes. The two stood at the foot of the bed, in what Marlène tried to control herself.
"Mrs. Gardner," Jack spoke, "you'd better rest and we'll come when you're better and ..."
"No! It's now or never," She looked up and stared on Hannibal, he shuddered a little bit. "How many sessions does my daughter have?"
"We just started this week," he said, relieved. "Will they be many?"
"It will depend on how Elisa advances."
"And did she mention anything?"
Jack looked at Hannibal and he sighed. Carrying his coat in his hands, he placed them on the base of the bed and, from one of the bags in his coat, took out a few papers.
"She refuses to comment, but she has made these drawings. Maybe they tell you something" He unfolded the papers and handed them to her.
Marlène took them and looked at them suspiciously.
"This place is where that bastard works."
"Is it a farm?" Asked Hannibal.
"Yes, it is ..." he paused nervously, "he is a foreman on the farms of the Verger family's meat packing house in Owings Mills."
"That explains the pigs," Jack said. Hannibal let out a bitter sigh. "Alan used to take Elisa there?"
"Yes, he used to."
"Marlène, have you ever noticed any strange behavior in your daughter?"
"No," she said as she shook her head. "Are you sure?" Hannibal insisted.
"My girl, she was always cheerful. In spite of everything she always smiles ... I don't know why she never look for a way to tell me what her father did to her.
"Children express themselves in different ways, Elisa is doing it through drawings."
She nodded.
"Mrs. Gardner," Jack continued, "was there really never an indication that you suspected of your husband?"
"I swear. He used to be very attentive to what I did and always tried to help me at home, but he did it to hide his actions ... The only thing he forced me to do was quit my job."
"Where were you working?"
"I was a teacher at the institute for the deaf in Baltimore. I worked there because they gave me a scholarship for Elisa, but he forced me to quit and for very stupid things. He said that I no longer attended the house, was neglecting the home and its needs, and I quit. Because of this we could not afford the institute, so we decided that Elisa would take classes at home."
"And Alan started taking Elisa to the farms?"
"That's right, more than usual."
"Then I think we'll pay a visit to the Verger family," said Jack, with a slight smile on his face.
Verger Family Mansion – East Owings Mills, Maryland.
Agent Crawford and Doctor Lecter had gotten out of the car and walked through the huge garden that adorned the main entrance of the Verger mansion. Hannibal was delighted by the excellent care of the place, also by the tulips and jasmine that gave life to the area. They reached the main entrance, Jack took the knocker and knocked it hard and the door opened in less than a minute, leaving both amazed.
"How can I help you?" Said the young maid. "Good afternoon, Miss," Jack replied, showing his FBI badge. "We want to talk to Mr. Verger."
"Oh!" She exclaimed in shock. "Please give me a moment."
The maid closed the door and they both looked at each other.
"Too big this place, don't you think Doctor?"
"I've seen bigger and better places," he replied with a sincere smile.
A few moments later the door opened and the young maid, crestfallen, offered them the access. Both entered and were amazed by the decoration of the hall. This place had a Victorian style, the furniture was made of oak; Hannibal perceived it only because of the smell. On the wall was a huge painting of the Verger family: The father with his wife and two small children. A boy, maybe six, blond hair and blue eyes, the next was the sister, probably four years old; light brown hair and eyes of the same color. While they were still marveling at the place, the sound of the pendulum clock made them come back and discover that it was already six pm.
"Good afternoon officers," said the patriarch at the bottom of the stairs. "Good afternoon, Mr. Verger, we are Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Agent Crawford." The man who looked to be in his forties with ash blonde hair, a glasses almost falling from his nose and a confident look. The men smiled and began to descend the steps.
"FBI," he said with a slight humming, "what a surprise to have you here. Has anyone made me a civil lawsuit?" He asked with a cynical smile. In the face of that smile Hannibal identified the man's personality, hostile and happy for control over everything and everyone. "Anyone is looking to sue you, Mr. Verger?"
"Please call me Molson. And I'm afraid to tell this to you agent, I have many enemies in the market. Any excuse is good so they can to send me to the FBI."
"Well, Molson, you can be calm, there is no lawsuit against you."
"I'm glad to know that," he said as he put the last foot on the floor. "So, why do I owe your honorable visit?"
"We're here for one of your employees. Alan Gardner."
"Alan Gardner?" He wondered, and for a few moments, he was thoughtful. "The name sounds to me, but I cannot identify him."
"We know he is a foreman of one of his farms."
"I still don't do it."
"He has a deaf daughter."
"Oh," he said cheerfully, "little smiley!"
"Little smiley?" Asked Hannibal curiously. "Yes, I already know who you talk to me about, the foreman of the northeast area. His daughter is a little girl who always smiles. My children and I were glad to see her, we had her very spoiled."
"Really?"
"Totally. But what is happening, agents?"
"Mr. Verger ..."
"What did we say agent?" He interrupted smiling.
"Molson," Jack snapped with a mock smile. "We are looking for Alan Gardner for murder and child abuse." Patriarch Verger exchanged his smile for a face filled with seriousness. "God," he whispered. "I cannot believe it!"
"We want to know if he have submitted to work these last days."
"You must have to ask my son, Mason. He is in charge of the northeast area of our farms and balers."
"Could we talk to him?"
"Of course. Please follow me."
They reached the lands of the northeast wing and entered the area of the stables where they could appreciate the coarsest pigs, locked up and lying on the ground waiting for their destiny. At the bottom of the place they appreciated the silhouette of a young man who seemed to be attentive to the lists of the next pigs to be turned into meat.
"Mason!" His father shouted. He looked up and observed at him with two strangers. "Father, I'm glad to see you around these places," he replied with a hypocritical smile. The young man was the living image of his father with blonde hair; blue eyes and a smile that detonated a shamelessness.
"Son, let me introduced you to Agent Crawford and Dr. Lecter. They are from the FBI."
"FBI?" He wondered. "To what do we owe this honor?"
"They are looking for your foreman."
"Alan?" He asked incredulously. "That's right," said Jack. "We are looking for Alan Gardner and we want to know, if he has come to work?"
"No really, agent. Alan Gardner has almost a week not showing up for work. By telling you that I already decommissioned him and I am looking for a new foreman."
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"Last week, pretty sure"
"And how did you see Alan?"
"As usual. He is a guy who likes to be rude but for me he is a poor unhappy."
"Why?" Asked Hannibal. "Alan used to act in strange ways, he always used to talk to me about his sexual frustrations."
"Sexual frustrations?" Repeated Jack. "Yes. He told me that his wife didn't ... She didn't satisfy him. He started to go to brothels but he didn't succeed. Suddenly he started talking to me that he had certain fantasies with young girls, you know, children ..." Jack nodded and Hannibal kept his attention.
"Son, agents are looking for Alan for attempted homicide and child abuse." Mason was stunned by it. "So he did it?"
"Do what?" Asked Hannibal. "Hurt a child?"
"Yes. And it was his own daughter."
"Little smiley?" He said surprised. Hannibal looked at him seriously, he hated that nickname. Every time he heard it, he felt his blood boil.
"Did you ever live with Elisa Gardner?"
"Yes, the poor girl is deaf and gave me some pity, but she's a good girl. A little angel."
"Did you ever notice strange behavior in her?"
"No way. She always smiled and was cheerful, I never saw anything strange in her. The times Alan brought her here he liked to play with pigs and see Margot's horses."
"Who is Margot?"
"My youngest daughter," Molson snapped. "Do you think we can talk to your daughter?"
"I'm afraid not, agent. My little girl is on a riding course in Canada. She does not return until next month."
Jack nodded slightly while Hannibal kept analyzing the young Verger, who, feeling the weight of that look, a worry began to run through his body.
"Anything else you would like to know, agents?"
"Any idea where Alan Gardner could go?"
"Son?"
"He always went to a bar to the outskirts of Baltimore, Heaven's Night is called. Maybe there they have seen it."
"Thank you very much, young Mason."
He smiled and resumed his papers but was interrupted.
"One more question," Hannibal continued. "Do you only raise pigs?"
"Also my daughter's horses."
"Did you raise lambs by chance?"
Molson and Mason looked surprised. The young man shook his head and returned to the papers.
"No Doctor, we have never raised lambs."
Hannibal lifted his head, turned around and began to walk and Molson escorted both men. Mason looked up a little and did not take his eyes off Hannibal Lecter, feeling a chill run through his body.
"Thank you very much for your attention, Molson."
"Hopefully our information will help you, if that guy gets to step on my land, I'll call you."
Both said goodbye and left the residence. Hannibal had an impulse to look at one of the windows on the second floor and, between the thin curtains, looked at a young girl who watched them fearfully. Noticing Hannibal action, she closed the curtains and he knew that the Vergers were lying. And in a terrible way.
"What do you think about the Verger family, Doctor?" Asked Jack, looking at the highway. "They are peculiar," he said honestly. "I would say strangers. I didn't feel comfortable with what they said."
"Even me Jack, but at least we have a clue. Heaven's Night."
"I will send one of my agents to investigate."
"It seems perfect."
"Dr. Lecter, I'd like to ask you something," he confess. "I hear you."
"I know you have a session with the girl, but I would like to know your opinion about her."
"About what, Jack?"
"Is the girl's behavior as her mother and the Vergers described it?"
"It is true, but this is a defense mechanism that she herself has forged. Elisa thinks that, when she smiles, everything will be solved and nobody will argue, or ask her anything."
"And do you think Elisa can recover?"
"Of course, it will take a while, but Dr. Bloom and I will take care of it."
"Thank you Doctor Lecter."
"Don't thank me yet, Jack. Do it when Elisa has fully recovered." Crawford gave a slight smile. "Forgive me for my intrusion Jack, but why this question?"
"A simple curiosity."
"I feel this goes beyond curiosity."
"I see I can't fool you Doctor," they both smiled. "Actually, I would like to support you with Elisa. Either way."
"Thank you so much for that, Jack, maybe I will bother you with some clothes. For the rest do not worry."
"Well, count with it."
Will Graham's residence - Wolf Trap, Virginia.
"So, you'll take care of us too?" Abigail questioned, as she watched Will make some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. "Sometimes, why? Don't you like the idea?"
"A little bit." Will looked up at Abigail, she seems uncomfortable. "I know you don't like being with me," she tilted her head slowly, "but believe me, I care about your well-being and Elisa's."
"You didn't kill his father." Young Graham let out a bitter groan. "No, I did not do it."
"And you plan to do it?" He dropped the bread and looked at Abigail, not annoyed, but disappointed. "Go with Elisa and walk the dogs in what I finish this, please."
"Good," the young girl said reluctantly.
She approached Elisa, who was lying on the floor and playing with one of Will's dogs. Abigail arrived and touched her back, she turned her head and smiled at her.
"Let's go play with the dogs!" She exclaimed as she moved her hands.
Elisa nodded, got up from the ground and tapping her thighs, calling the dogs. The three moved their tails of joy. They left the house and prepared to play. Being alone, Will hit his cheeks and exasperated terribly. He didn't understand why Abigail rejected him so much, he had decided to take care of her in good faith, make her his protégé, but she refused. She was resentful despite having saved her. As he watched the girls through the window, he noticed how Elisa admired and loved Abigail very much, as if she were her older sister. To his chaotic mind came an idea, too crazy for his own taste, to adopt Abigail and Elisa. It would be wonderful to have them at home and listen to their laughter. That made him feel great joy. In those moments he noticed how a vehicle was parked on his porch; Abigail and Elisa watched curiously and watched as Jack and Hannibal descended. The girls approached them and the dogs just wagged their tails in a welcome way. Will prepared to leave the house and receive them.
"What a surprise!"
"Hello Will," Jack greeted. "Was the punishment already removed?"
"I'm sorry, Will," Hannibal responded.
"I imagined it."
Jack saw Elisa, whom greet her in a very fatherly way, and she didn't refuse. He kept his distance with Abigail Hobbs, but he also greeted her.
"We come for the girls."
"Where have you been?"
"Solving some matters."
"Does it have to do with Marlène Gardner?"
"I'm sorry, Will. We can't tell you." The young man sighed bitterly but knew that these matters involved the Gardner.
Will put their sandwiches on to carry and the talk between the adults didn't last too long. They left Abigail in the Port Haven Psychiatric facility where she resided.
"I had to go back, it are the rules." She said to little Elisa. She didn't want her to leave and a few tears escaped. "Abi!"
And she promised her that she would return.
"Dr. Lecter," Jack called as he driving. "Maybe what I'm going to tell you may bother you, but I would like you to keep Elisa away from Abigail Hobbs."
"Why?"
"The girl is suspected of being an accomplice to her father, I know that you and Will are handle her tutoring but I would like you to be away from Elisa."
"Jack, you must understand one thing, Abigail is a victim like all the girls Garret Jacob killed. In addition Abigail and Elisa have got along very well; they understand each other.
"I don't think so..."
"Please Jack."
"Just promise me to watch Elisa when she's with Abigail."
"If that's makes you feel better, I will."
"Thank you..."
And the rest of the way was completely in silent.
Verger Family Mansion - East Owings Mills, Maryland.
Margot Verger lay on the edge of her bed, hugging her legs and crying silently. His older brother buttoned his pajamas shirt and looked sideways at his sister.
"You don't have to cry for," she didn't answer. "Dad says you're useless, but I've always believed otherwise."
"Leave me alone," she pleaded.
"I just try to cheer you up."
"Go away, Mason."
The young man rolled his eyes and left his sister's room. To his surprise, in the hallway, he looked at his father who looked worried.
"What is happening?"
"I have a doubt, son."
"Yes?"
"You saw how that Doctor was watching you, right?"
"Yes, I did."
"You noticed that he was analyzing you."
"Yes," he insisted furiously.
"Perfect. Because that Doctor suspects us."
"I feared."
"Son," he said paternally, as he approached him and placed his hands on his face. "You are my greatest pride, you will be the one who gives me an heir and governs this business. So I don't want to lose you only for please your satisfactions."
"Yes, father, that's why I lied. That is why I leaved all the blame on that idiot of Gardner."
"I know, son, but remember that you also had a lot to do with that girl. If in any case they find you what you did, it will be our end."
"Don't worry, father, that girl will never say anything."
"Are you sure of it?"
"That poor unfortunate will not open her mouth in order to save her little friend."
"The lamb?" He asked strangely.
"Yes, father that lamb you gave me."
"I cannot believe it!" He exclaimed with a great laugh. "Definitely the children are fools."
Mason smiled shamelessly and his father kept laughing at the innocence of a little girl.
A/N:
Thanks so much for reading. I will be deeply grateful with any comments, constructive criticism, opinions and / or suggestions :3
