Chapter 9: If You Loved Me
"What you have done," the voice breathed in her ear, "is to
free yourself, my love." He was so
close she could smell his aftershave, his soap, his warmth. She turned towards the heat radiating from
him and fell into the comfort of his arms. They stood that way for as long as they could before he pushed her away
gently and said, "The Marines will be coming."
She nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I hope you have another way out,
doctor." He simply smiled and took hold
of her hand. She felt propelled by the
force of his person as much as by the grip on her wrist. He led her to the shrubbery that outlined
the edge of the cemetery. They went
into the bushes, which acted as cover for a chain link fence, and he held up a
flap of the fence that he'd previously cut. She paused and looked back in the direction of the cooling corpse that
once had been Special Agent Reid.
"I'm a criminal." She looked back at Hannibal and was about to repeat the declaration when
he placed a finger to her lips to silence her.
"You are mine." He
replaced the finger with his lips. For
their second kiss, Clarice found herself returning the passion blissfully. He pulled away and gestured towards the
hole. "After you." He ushered her through and followed behind.
They came out on a busy street. He indicated a dark red BMW parked across the street and together
they crossed to the car. He pulled out
his car keys and hit the button on the remote control, the BMW beeping in
response. They got in and Clarice sunk
into the leather seat. Suddenly she sat
up straight. "My bag. I left it in my car. It has everything."
"Not to worry. I
took the liberty of removing it while you were paying your respects to the late
Mr. Brigham." He nodded towards the
back.
She turned and saw her duffle sitting on the seat. "Well, you certainly think of everything
don't you?" Relieved, she sat back and
secured her seatbelt. They could
already hear the sirens approaching.
"Where to my dear?"
She looked at him with a tired smile and said, "Just drive. And if you love me you won't stop for a goddamned thing."
The End
