PART 8
Why had he thought this might be a good idea?
He had been on the phone with Doemling for just over half an hour, and, other than his initial explanation for the call, the man had not let him get a word in edgewise.
Doemling fancied himself an expert on Hannibal Lecter and was currently going on about what he called 'Doemling's avunculism.' Dr. Lecter, he maintained, was a perfect example.
"You see, Mr. Graham, certain... prurient mindsets might wish to see this association with the Starling woman as 'Beauty and the Beast' but, as I told Mason Verger, that couldn't be farther from the truth of the situation. Hannibal Lecter is plainly incapable of any positive human emotions. He is a pure sociopath. Are you familiar with the crucifixion clock he designed in the asylum?"
"Yes, but..."
"Well then, it should be obvious that his aim is her suffering and degradation. The drawing clearly depicts a wish to lay waste to an object of veneration. The woman is not the prize here, Mr. Graham. The woman's destruction is Lecter's objective."
"Then, how do you account for the sketch he sent her just before he left Florence? He attached her likeness to the body of a gryphon, a symbol of courage and strength. Wouldn't that imply that perhaps Barney Jackson's observations might have some basis..."
Doemling cut him off.
"The gryphon, if I am not mistaken, is also a symbol of the dual nature of Christ. This is nothing more than another invocation of the crucifixion imagery. While I understand the tendency of those with Nurse Jackson's tabloid mentality to romanticize this, I must say I'm quite frankly surprised that a man with your background should be seduced by such a fanciful interpretation of the facts."
It took Graham a moment to recognize the silence that reasserted itself as the psychiatrist's smug recitation came to an end.
"I see your point," he muttered reluctantly – anything to move on. "I'm sure you understand it is necessary to explore all of the possibilities in this type of situation."
"Of course," Doemling replied in a patronizing tone.
"How about Ms. Starling? Do you think she could have willingly left Verger's farm with Dr. Lecter?"
Doemling's answer was immediate.
"Oh yes, Mr. Graham. I believe that is entirely possible. The Starling woman had an obvious father fixation, which I suspect Lecter used to great advantage with her. I should think he found her an easy target for manipulation."
Graham's response was determinedly non-committal.
"Hmm..."
You had plenty of money Mr. Verger. A man with your resources should have been able to find a consultant with a little more insight.
"Is that all, Mr. Graham?" Doemling asked impatiently. "If you have what you need from me, I'd like to be going."
"Certainly!" Will agreed with far too much enthusiasm. "Thank you for your time, Dr. Doemling."
Graham hung up the phone with a surprising sense of relief. He was very sorry to note that his sympathy for the man in regards to Lecter's treatment of him had almost completely evaporated. No wonder it had been so bad. This guy might as well have gone in there with a target stamped on his forehead.
He must have been pretty boring for you, Doctor. No real challenge there at all. I'd guess he was one of the most unsatisfying catnip mice you've ever batted.
Another waste of his time.
Not exactly, Will. You're procrastinating, so it was really an excellent investment.
Not true.
Sure it is, My Man. Spend enough time trying to disprove your theory and you don't have to work it enough to figure out why you're so sure of it to begin with... or what it means.