This is it. I'm not sure how well I did, but I had a lot of fun. Ta-Ta S
Thank you again Chameleon, for giving me the support to continue.
The usual applies; I own no one or nothing pertaining to this story.
Chapter 3 Just What The Truth is….
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Clarice stood there for what seemed like an eternity. Just staring at the bed, when it finally hit her. "Oh God." She ran through the house to her desk. She pulled so hard on the handle, the entire drawer came out from the desk and landed on the floor. But what she was looking for was not there. Instead of finding her letters, as she had hoped, she found one letter. A letter with one word written on the envelope in that unmistakable handwriting.
Clarice walked over to the couch and sat down. Trying to collect her thoughts, she took a deep breath as she began to open the envelope that bore her name.
The letter read:
Dear Clarice,
First, I must apologize for the intrusion into your lovely home. I assure you, I did not break in like a common criminal, but was pleasantly surprised to find your door unlocked, undoubtedly from your swift departure this morning. You know you really should be more careful. You never know who might be lurking around.
Second, the letters. Yes, I have them Clarice. They made for very interesting reading indeed. Tell me Clarice, what stopped you from burning them, hmm? Was it the song?
Or was it something else?
Have no fear, little Starling, I will return the letters to you, if you wish, but with one condition. You must retrieve them in person. It would be dreadful if they fell into the wrong hands, don't you think?
What is worse Clarice, knowing I have read the letters? Or that you now know what I have known all along?
When the time is right Clarice, you will know.
Fondest regards,
H
She read the letter at least two more times. She could hear his voice speaking the words. 'That should have been scary enough' she thought. But instead of feeling scared or a since of dread, she felt oddly relieved. He had always known her true feelings. Even if she did not. "Well, now what Doctor? When the time is right, I will know. What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
Clarice put the letter back into the envelope and stuck it in her purse. Then she went into the bedroom to get dressed. During all this excitement she had almost forgotten about her evening with Ardelia. She still had plenty of time. It was only 6:25. Clarice hoped that she could sufficiently calm herself before her friend arrived.
She decided on jeans and a sweater. Knowing Ardelia they would probably just want to get a pizza anyway. She had just finished dressing, when she heard the doorbell. She turned to look at the clock. It was only 6:45. 'Delia's early' she thought. Clarice opened the door, not to see her friend standing there, but a nicely dressed young man. He looked to be about 25 years old, wearing a dark blue suit and tie. He had brown hair that was neatly combed and parted on the left.
As Clarice continued to study the young man, he asked, "Are you Agent Starling?"
"Yes" she said. "What can I do for you?"
The young man took a step forward, holding out his right hand. "Hi, I'm Agent Black."
Clarice looked at the Agent wondering why she hadn't figured it out. He was dressed in classic F.B.I. attire and he reeked of the Bureau. That's when she noticed he was carrying Dr. Lecter's files in his left hand. She said, "You didn't need to bring those all the way to my house to return them. You could have just left them at the office."
Agent Black said, "That's not why I'm here, Agent Starling. I needed to speak with you."
Then, in a voice more harsh than she had intended Clarice said, "Didn't Agent Pearsall tell you I didn't wish to speak with you about this matter?"
"Well, yes but…"
She cut him off and said, "Then I hope that you would respect my wishes." And as she began to close the door on the young Agent she heard him shout,
"But I know where Lecter is!"
Clarice opened the door and glared at Agent Black. "You know WHAT?" She said. Not believing for a minute that this young pup could find his ass with both hands, no less, one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives.
"I know where Dr. Lecter is." He stated again. "And I need your help."
"My help? What do you need my help for? Why don't you just call the Bureau for back up?" She quipped.
Shyly the Agent replied, "I haven't told anyone. I was hoping you would come with me and help me bring him in. If I call for back up, they will just come in and take over and
I'll probably get left out of everything. But if you come with me, we could be Heroes. We might even get a medal."
'God, why did he have to say medal.'
Clarice started to form a plan in her mind. She knew that she would not be the one responsible for putting Dr. Lecter behind the glass again. But she didn't want young Agent Black's blood on her hands either. So she agreed.
"I will help you on one condition. We do this my way, no arguments. Are we clear, Special Agent Black?"
"Perfectly clear Agent Starling."
"Alright then, come inside and tell me what you got"
"I was hoping we could discuss it in the car on the way to the Hotel." He said with a look of impatience.
Clarice just rolled her eyes. 'This was going to be barrel of fun.' She thought.
"O.K. then. Let me get my stuff." She hurried into the house, grabbing her purse and her gun, that she had no intention of using, and got into the car with Agent Black.
As they drove, the Agent explained how he had tracked Dr. Lecter through rental car receipts, food and wine purchases, airplane tickets and hotel registrations. It seemed the Good Doctor was unable to forgo the title attached to his name. It took a lot of time and effort but apparently is was all about to pay off. Clarice listened to everything Agent Black had to say. When he was finished, she thought 'Maybe I didn't give this kid enough credit.'
When they got to the Hotel, Agent Black said Dr. Lecter was registered under the name, Dr. William Bennett. Clarice went up to the front desk and asked to speak with the Manager. When the Manager arrived, she showed him her badge and made sure she was out of ear shot from Agent Black. She explained that a guest in the Hotel, Dr. Bennett was wanted for questioning as a possible material witness to a Homicide and that he might not be willing to cooperate with the investigation. So she was assigned to bring him in. She convinced the Manager to give her a key to his room, with the understanding that there would be less of a chance of them making a scene if they could get into the room quickly and quietly. The manager agreed that would be best.
So armed with the room key, the Agents entered the elevator.
Still not quite sure how all this was going to turn out, Clarice stepped out of the elevator onto the 18th floor, hoping for the best.
As they walked down the hallway Agent Black asked, "What was that room number again?"
Clarice just giggled to herself and said, "1874, last room on the left." 'Very convenient' She thought. 'Right next to the stairs, makes for a quick getaway,' but she had expected no less from the Doctor. He wasn't going to make it easy for anyone to catch him.
When they reached the room, Clarice gave the card key to Agent Black. She told him that he was to open the door and that she would go in first, since she was pretty sure
Dr. Lecter would not hurt her and it could buy them some time.
She didn't tell him who they were buying time for.
Clarice could hear soft classical music coming from the room, but could hear no movement. She pulled her gun from her purse. Her partner followed suit, drawing his weapon. Then she gave him a nod. Agent Black slipped the card key into the lock and then pushed the door wide open.
Clarice entered quickly, followed by her counterpart. The room was dimly lit, but she could still make out the figure sitting in the chair next to the window.
"Dr. Lecter, you're under arrest." She heard Agent Black shout.
Dr. Lecter slowly reached up and turned on the light that was next to the chair. He settled back into the chair, resting his elbows on the armrests and interlacing his fingers before he spoke.
"Good evening Clarice. Am I to understand that those letters mean so much to you that you felt you needed help to get them back?"
Clarice hadn't found her voice yet. She was staring at Dr. Lecter. Locked in his gaze not yet able to break away, until a voice brought her back to the present.
"Letters, what letters?" She heard the voice say.
Clarice was back in an instant. "What's he talking about Starling?"
"I…." She didn't know quite what to say.
"What I'm talking about young man are these." Dr. Lecter said as he leaned slightly over to his right and picked up the bundle of letters from the end table and tossed them on the floor in front of Clarice.
Clarice quickly bent down and picked up the letters with her left hand. Still holding the gun in her right, but not pointing it at anything but the floor.
"Starling are you going to tell me what's going on?" Agent Black demanded. All the while, Dr. Lecter still hadn't made a move in his chair. He seemed to be content watching the agents, battle and to let the scenario play out.
Finally Clarice looked at her so called partner and said, "Yes Agent Black, I would be more than happy to tell you what's going on." With that, Clarice raised her gun and pointed it at the young Agent.
"Starling, what are you doing?" He asked in a shaky voice.
"I'm going to shoot you, unless you drop your weapon, and get down on the floor." She replied.
Still confused, all he got out was a "But.." before he heard Starling pull the hammer back on her 45. At that, he smiled as he dropped the gun to the floor.
Dr. Lecter then rose from the chair. He walked over to Clarice and took the gun from her hand, letting the hammer down slowly. Taking her hand in his, he kissed it ever so gently. He lifted his head, looking deeply into her eyes and said, "Thank you, Clarice."
Now it was her turn to be confused. Dr. Lecter broke their eye contact and turned to face Agent Black who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Clarice, allow me to introduce, Mr. Matthew Weston. He's the son of a very old and dear friend of mine. And he was kind enough to help me with, how shall I say, our little performance this evening."
All she could do for a moment was just stare at them both. Then she finally spoke.
"You mean to tell me this was all just a big joke?"
Dr. Lecter replied, "Hardly a joke, my dear. My life and our future were riding on the outcome."
"It's a good thing you took my gun. I should shoot you both." She said as all three looked at each other and started to laugh.
Dr. Lecter reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope. He walked over and handed it to Matthew. "Well done my boy." He said. "That should get you into the acting school of you choice." To which Clarice replied,
"What the hell does he need acting school for, I'd say that was an Academy Award winning performance." That started them laughing again.
Dr. Lecter walked Matthew to the door as they said their good-byes. After closing the door, he turned and faced Clarice. She was looking down at the floor, just shaking her head as she mumbled "When the time is right, you will know."
Dr. Lecter smiled to himself and knowing full well what she had said, he asked, "What was that, my dear?" Clarice looked up from the floor, staring directly into his eyes and said,
"The time is right, Hannibal."