Clarice couldn't believe what was happening. It seemed like only yesterday that she and Hannibal had been living peacefully in their house in Buenos Aires. Now it was five weeks later and the end of their trial.
Their lawyer had been excellent, the best money could buy, but she new that nothing would get them out of this mess and she started to give up hope.
"Will the defendants please rise"
The voice broke into her thoughts. She stood up slowly, holding onto the table for balance, not trusting her legs. Breathing deeply, she tried to remain calm.
"Have the jury reached a verdict?"
"Yes your honour…"
"What say you?"
"We the jury, find the defendant, Clarice Starling… guilty on all accounts."
"Thank you."
"Clarice Starling, so you have any final words before I commence sentence?"
Clarice took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice.
"No your honour."
"As you wish. It is the judgement of this court that you receive no less than thirty years imprisonment at the highest security ward with 24 hour surveillance."
Clarice flinched as the judge struck the wooden circlet in front of him.
* * *
Throughout the trial Hannibal had remained calm. He knew stress and worry would be to no avail, so he listened intently as the judge passed his sentence.
"Hannibal Lecter, it is the judgement of this court that you shall be sentenced to death by lethal injection, and may God be with you."
Hannibal's pulse raised to ninety and he breathed deeply as it slowly returned to 85.