Dr Lecter returned home after a long day at work. He didn't regret the
hours he had spent at the Palazzo, but he was very tired and all he wanted
was dinner and a long night's sleep.
Since he had arrived in Florence the nightmares had subsided. He rarely awoke now to the sound of Mischa screaming and he enjoyed sleep more than he ever had.
His mail was lying on the table where he had left it this morning. He had scanned the letters but he hadn't had enough time to open them. Deciding that he might as well do it now, he went over to the pile and picked it up.
Bills, various letters involving his job and some junk mail. He was just about to put down the stack and read his electric bill when a small envelope fell from the pile and landed face down on the floor. It was cream stationary and looked quite expensive. Strange though, he was sure the letter hadn't been there this morning. He picked it up and turned it over. There was no address or stamp, just Doctor Ivan Fell written across the front in a neat and slightly rounded script.
Dr Lecter's blood ran cold. He had seen this handwriting before. He sat down in the chair and his hands shook as he opened the envelope.
There was a single sheet of cream stationary inside. The handwriting on it was the same as it had been four years ago.
Doctor Lecter,
First I would like to apologise for letting myself into your home to deliver this letter, but I did not think it would be appropriate to mail it to you, in case it was lost or opened. and I don't think I need to remind you that some precautions still need to be taken.
You are probably quite shocked right now and I am pretty sure there are a hundred questions going through your head at this time, but one is much more important to you than any of them; Didn't you kill me? Well Doctor Lecter, I must say, if it was possible for you to kill me, you would have. I'm sorry if that doesn't make a lot of sense to you, but it is the best answer I can offer.
On a lighter note, I see that your new life is suiting you quite well. Your home seems very comfortable and your job sounds like it is perfect for you. It's a pity that the old curator disappeared without a trace, but some sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.
At this, Dr Lecter inhaled sharply. He had always thought that the missing curator was just good luck on his part.
He swallowed and continued reading.
I have a feeling that you are also sleeping better. Mischa will return occasionally, as I am sure that you have found out, but the nightmares will be significantly tamer and will not cause such an impact on you.
There is not much more I can say, but I am glad that you are happy and have no regrets.
I cannot promise that I will not return to see how you are, but I do promise I will never cause you any harm.
Goodbye
Alisha Larkson
Dr Lecter closed his eyes and sank back into his chair. The things she said were too close to the truth for him to be comfortable and he began wondering how often she had been in his house.
He believed that she would never harm him, but that didn't help the worried feeling to subside.
Having lost his appetite he went to his bedroom and lay on the bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.
Since he had arrived in Florence the nightmares had subsided. He rarely awoke now to the sound of Mischa screaming and he enjoyed sleep more than he ever had.
His mail was lying on the table where he had left it this morning. He had scanned the letters but he hadn't had enough time to open them. Deciding that he might as well do it now, he went over to the pile and picked it up.
Bills, various letters involving his job and some junk mail. He was just about to put down the stack and read his electric bill when a small envelope fell from the pile and landed face down on the floor. It was cream stationary and looked quite expensive. Strange though, he was sure the letter hadn't been there this morning. He picked it up and turned it over. There was no address or stamp, just Doctor Ivan Fell written across the front in a neat and slightly rounded script.
Dr Lecter's blood ran cold. He had seen this handwriting before. He sat down in the chair and his hands shook as he opened the envelope.
There was a single sheet of cream stationary inside. The handwriting on it was the same as it had been four years ago.
Doctor Lecter,
First I would like to apologise for letting myself into your home to deliver this letter, but I did not think it would be appropriate to mail it to you, in case it was lost or opened. and I don't think I need to remind you that some precautions still need to be taken.
You are probably quite shocked right now and I am pretty sure there are a hundred questions going through your head at this time, but one is much more important to you than any of them; Didn't you kill me? Well Doctor Lecter, I must say, if it was possible for you to kill me, you would have. I'm sorry if that doesn't make a lot of sense to you, but it is the best answer I can offer.
On a lighter note, I see that your new life is suiting you quite well. Your home seems very comfortable and your job sounds like it is perfect for you. It's a pity that the old curator disappeared without a trace, but some sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.
At this, Dr Lecter inhaled sharply. He had always thought that the missing curator was just good luck on his part.
He swallowed and continued reading.
I have a feeling that you are also sleeping better. Mischa will return occasionally, as I am sure that you have found out, but the nightmares will be significantly tamer and will not cause such an impact on you.
There is not much more I can say, but I am glad that you are happy and have no regrets.
I cannot promise that I will not return to see how you are, but I do promise I will never cause you any harm.
Goodbye
Alisha Larkson
Dr Lecter closed his eyes and sank back into his chair. The things she said were too close to the truth for him to be comfortable and he began wondering how often she had been in his house.
He believed that she would never harm him, but that didn't help the worried feeling to subside.
Having lost his appetite he went to his bedroom and lay on the bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.