Chapter 35

Clarice felt like everyone tried to avoid her. Though they made an effort to make it less obvious, Clarice could feel and see it. They might as well have gone in a big circle around her. She was damage goods, as they would say. It wouldn't help their career to be around. Clarice had felt the full impact of that rule, her best friend Ardi had avoided her, even moved out of the duplex they had shared for so many years.

Clarice was alone, hunted by memories of how her life would be if she had never met Dr. Lecter, or if she had asked him to stop. But it was pointless.

Clarice knocked on Noonan's doors and walked in... There was only him in his room, sitting behind his desk.

"Good morning starling" He's cheery this morning Clarice thought. He gestured for her to sit down.

"Starling we have new clues in the Lecter case, we want you to follow up on it, catch him and bring him in." It came as a large bang inside her head, they had found Dr. Lecter and they wanted her to go and get him, it sounded strange even to Clarice.

"Sir if you don't mind me asking, why send me?" "Because you are the one who can get close, and it will also help salvaging your career." Clarice knew it was a lie, the bare fact was that there was no one else stupid enough to take the job. "Sir with all due respect, I think I will say no, that is my right, and since my career is so washed out as you say, then I have nothing to loose by turning it down." There was anger in his eyes. "Clarice if you want to save the rest of that career you do best in going." "Sir..." the look from him silenced her, but not for long. "What will I get out of it?" Clarice came direct and surprised Noonan. "You get Behavioral science department." Though he hadn't expected her to ask, he knew that she had a prize, things had already been set in motion.

"Fine Sir. When is the debriefing?" her voice was cold and there was not even a trace of gratitude. "At 9:30 am. We would like to get this over with fast, if you know what I mean." Clarice did, it wouldn't be long before Dr. Lecter would know that they where on to him, he seemed to have a six sense telling him those things.

Clarice got up from her chair. "Starling" She turned and looked with cold eyes at him. "I'm glad you decided to do it." Clarice turned at left, she knew the prize for this, it would hurt even more then anything. If he was captured, he would get the needle, there was no doubt about it, every seemed to agree that he was better dead then alive. Dead he couldn't escape and make a scene like the last time.

Clarice left for the debriefing.

A/N my dear reader I know I was slow to get this one going, but now it's back on track, I hope you will enjoy this as much the original, but let me know. I think I like the idea this little fic is going on. And you have to be paticent, because with my idea for this one it could turn out to be rather long, but hopefully not dull.. ta ta