As soon as I walked into my office that morning and saw Jack Crawford sitting at my desk, his feet propped up on my file reports, shouting at someone at the other side of my telephone line, pausing only to gulp down the rest of his coffee, I knew something was up.

He slammed down the horn, beckoning me to come closer.

'Starling. We need you to get your ass to Rhode Island, pronto.'

Lecter. Something was up. Before I could ask, he handed me a slim case file along with an explanation.

'An ex-patient of Lecter's was found dead this morning, shot through the head at close range. Crime scene investigators found no clues, no weapon, no fingerprints, no DNA material. We need someone to shed some light on the case, and we need it now.'

'Of course, sir. But why the urgency? With all due respect, sir, but the patient is already dead...'

'The 'patient' was Madelyn Dumas, wife of Assistant Director Thom Dumas.'

'I understand, sir. May I take the case file? I'm sure Dr. Lecter would find it interesting.'

'Starling, for all I care you can take him a golden elephant. I want this bastard nailed.


This time, I didn't miss the exit to the parking lot. After being stripped, searched and properly warned, I made my way up to see Dr. Lecter. My heart was pounding in my chest as the guard opened the door, and I made my way into the cell. The doctor was strapped to his bed as before, and a chair was ready for me.

'Why Clarice, I didn't expect you back so soon... people will say we're in love' he quipped.

'We need your help, doctor. What can you tell me about a Mrs. Madelyn Dumas?'

His lips curled up into a grin.

'Tut tut now, you didn't really think it was that easy, did you? Don't disappoint me, little Starling... don't tell me you've forgotten our little deal. Quid Pro Quo, Clarice.'

I suddenly felt tired, praying that this was not going to be another journey into my psyche.

'What do you want, Dr. Lecter? I already told you everything about my past.'

'Who said anything about your past, my dear?'

'I just assumed...'

'Ah, what did Jackie boy tell you about assuming, Clarice? You must be familiar with his little riddle about making an ass out of u and me?'

'How did you...' Oh, never mind. 'What is it you want, doctor?'

'Well, first of all, you might tell me about this sudden interest the Bureau has developed for Mrs. Dumas.'

'She's dead, Dr. Lecter. Her husband found her dead this morning, shot in the head at close range with a 9 mm bullet. No evidence was found, and since she's an ex-patient of yours...'

'I see. Tell me, Clarice. Who, would you say, is the most important person in your life right now? Living, Clarice... daddy doesn't count this time.'

I swallowed hard, trying to concentrate on the brick wall. Quid Pro Quo. If I wanted any information out of this, I would have to tell him sooner or later. And disregard the nasty comments about my parents.

'My roommate, Ardelia. I love her to death, she's like a sister to me. Now you tell me, doctor.'

'Oh no, Clarice. How do you think Miss Mapp would taste, if she was to be... prepared by the right someone?'

That's when I got up and left. Breathing heavily, I leaned against the steel door separating me from...

Never forget what he is.

The monster? The cannibal? The genius?

... separating me from Hannibal Lecter. My heart was burning with rage, my ears buzzing in blind fear. I was fully prepared to walk away and admit defeat, until I came to a sudden realisation: he was jealous. He had never meant to show any malice towards me, except maybe for the usual mind games, but I just hadn't given him the right answer.

He wanted to be the most important person in my life.

I stepped back inside the lion's cage, unafraid and ready for battle.