chapterfive

Mapp left the compound quietly, and drove to the next town over. She picked up the phone to tell the FBI where Lecter and Clarice were.
We're sending the Leganes police, stay on the line.

the voice said on the other end of the line. Later, she was there when Lecter and Clarice were arrested. Clarice was pale and drawn from exhaustion and stress. Her gray-blue eyes met Ardelia's. Clarice's mouth formed the word Why?', but she never voiced it aloud. Lecter looked so vehemently angry, back in a straight jacket and hockey mask. The Leganes police were trying to get him into a car with as little contact as possible.
I held their child' Mapp thought. Antonia and John were already in a squad car. John was crying, tears running down his chubby face. Antonia wasn't even trying to calm him, she was fixated on her mother (in handcuffs) and her father . Baby Rebecca was in the arns of an officer trying to calm the wailing child. Ardelia took her. She rocked the baby, who stopped crying. She walked into the house. The beautiful mansion was now impersonal and littlered with boot prints and evidence pointers.
She isn't in her right mind , Ardelia. Agent Starling would have wanted to be safe. Karen stood behind her. Ardelia had never seen her so quiet.
You got here fast, Karen-
Why's Mother in handcuffs? Why is my Father in that jacket? Ardelia turned to see Antonia.
Antonia, you shouldn't be in here. Go back to the car.
Why are they, Mapp? She was your best friend, you know they wouldn't have hurt you, and Starling wouldn't let Lecter hurt their children. No homicides fitting Lecter's MO since they ran off. Section Chief Jack Crawford said calmly.
Ardelia startled and nearly screamed.
Crawford ,you're dead!
I was never happy Ardelia, you just thought I was... Starling, exactly how she looked fifteen years ago , without the gunpowder mark.
Suddenly she was standing in the lab where Jame Gumb was autopsied.
Krendler , also fifteen years younger, standing there. Clarice hadn't been at the autopsy, and Mapp had first learned what a pain in the ass Krendler was.
So Starling blasted him? I guess he's her type. Lecter was advancing behind him, and slit his throat . Mapp wanted to scream, but her jaw wouldn't open.
What do you think now, Agent Mapp?
His smile dripped blood , and when she looked down , it was her body laying on a lovely carpet. Mapp looked up and saw Clarice, her smile dripping blood.
What now, Ardelia? Ardelia? ARDELIA!

Mapp's head snapped up. Karen was leaning over her, looking concerned.
Is everything alright? A flight attendant asked. Ardelia sat up from her twisted position in the airplane seat. She blinked in the bright light of the coach cabin.
Um, yeah. Just having a little trouble sleeping.
The flight attendant nodded and went on.
Nightmares, huh Dea? Karen asked sympathetically.
Ardelia nodded and yawned .
I'm gonna hit the bathroom before we land. Karen said and walked off.
Ardelia put her head in her hands for a moment to calm herself. The she reached under the seat for her purse and took out a picture. It was newly taken, but already had the look of something well worn and loved. In it are a two adults. A tall, regal man has his arm around a woman's shoulder. His face is obscured by shadows, giving him an air of mystery. The woman's hat hides her eyes bu not her smile. In her arms is a yellow bundle, a tiny fist in the air. A serious young girl stands in front of them, her hands behind her back. Her gaze makes you feel like she knows everything about you, even from a picture. But she is smiling faintly, for she holds her little brother's hands aloft so he can can stand for the picture. He is tousle-haired and grinning brightly. A lovely little family.

Mapp smiles to herself. Hell, maybe I'll let Karen set me up when we get back. Never know when you're gonna meet old friends. I want something lovely of my own soon.
Still smiling, she turns the photograph over. Written in a somehow familiar but more delicate script, four words seem to glow on the paper.
You Know My Happiness