Disclaimer: The characters of Hannibal Lecter, Clarice Starling, Jack Crawford, Clint Pearsall and Paul Krendler do not belong to me, but to Thomas Harris. No copyright infringement intended. I won't make any money of it. Just borrowing them for a while. Lecter' s blue eyes belong to Anthony Hopkins, though (I'm not sure there's a copyright on this).


Chapter 16: Victim number nine

It was 4:00 am when they arrived in view of Lazenby' s house. Lecter passed the house and parked in an alley, behind some trees. The car was not visible from the street. He stopped the engine.

" - Do you wear stocking ?" he asked abruptly. Starling looked at him with her eyes wide opened. He repeated the question: "Clarice, do you wear stocking ?
- Yes." she answered hesitantly." Why ?
- Could you take them off ?
- Hannibal Lecter, I don't know what you have in mind, but I strongly suggest ...
- Easy, Clarice. I am not making any indecent proposal, I assure you. Though I might be tempted under other circumstances ..." he added mischievously. She looked daggers at him. " I was just trying to plan our next move. I do not assume you intent to just ring Mr. Lazenby' s door bell at four in the morning and announce him a serial killer is going to come and kill him tomorrow, do you ? Neither can we introduce ourselves as special agent Clarice Starling, currently on sick leave, and Dr Hannibal Lecter, a.k.a. Hannibal The Cannibal, currently on the run, his guardian angels, can we ?
- Not if we don't want to finish our days in an asylum.
- I have tried that and believe me, there are better places to live.
- OK, but I still don't see the link with my stocking."

He paused for a moment, keeping his eyes on her. She was starting to feel nervous. He noticed it and explained:

" - Well, I figured out we may not have time to convince Mr. Lazenby. And therefore, we may have to use the force, for his own good and without hurting him of course.
- Dr Lecter, for the last time, what is the link with my stocking ?
- I am coming to it, Clarice. Do not be so impatient, my dear. The first thing the police will do when they come and deliver him will be to show him the photos of all criminals on the run. I guess that if Mr. Lazenby was to recognize me on one of these, it could be embarrassing for you. I believe stocking would be a good way to mask my face, but unfortunately, I'm not wearing mine tonight."

He caught anger in her look.

" - And I suppose you find the situation hilarious, don't you ?" she asked.
" - Not at all." She was surprised by the seriousness of his look. " Here is what I suggest. I am going to get out of the car. Take your time. When you're ready, just join me in the street. Is that ... acceptable ?
- Yes. But if I see you around before I've finished, I promise I'll shoot you. Is that ... acceptable ?"

He did not answer. Instead he laughed and left the car.

When she joined him, he was already busy with the lock of the front door. She let him finish in silence, then handed him the stocking. There was no more traces of amusement on his face, he was concentrated on what he had to do. "Clarice, do you have your hand-cuffs with you ?". She nodded and gave them to him.

They penetrated into the house. Everything was quiet. They first had a quick look at the ground floor. Nobody was there. "Bedrooms must be upstairs" Clarice whispered. Hannibal nodded. He arranged Clarice' s stocking on his face and they went up, careful not to make noise. There were only three doors. The first one was opened and was leading to the bathroom. They listened to the second one and did not hear anything. Clarice opened it delicately while Lecter had a look inside: "Empty" he murmured. As they were moving to the third door, they heard someone snoring on the other side.

Starling put her hand on the knob. Lecter put his hand on her shoulder.

" - You stay here." he said, as low as possible.
"- What the f..." he shushed her. She continued whispering: "What do you mean I stay here ?
- What I said. You stay here and wait for me. It is useless we go together. If things go right, I can handle alone. If they go wrong, I will need you as a backup ... If things go really wrong, just run away.
- If you think I'm gonna let you go alone, you're a fool and ..."

He put his hand on her mouth. "I'm not asking, Clarice. It is an order." There was such resolution in his eyes that it kept her speechless. He profited by her confusion to enter in the room and close the door behind him. She put her ear on the door, trying to catch any noise.


Hannibal closed the door behind him. He knew keeping her outside was a stupid move, but he could not resolve to let her take unnecessary risks. He thought he had involved her in too many illegal actions already.

William Lazenby was sleeping soundly alone in his bed. Hannibal moved slowly towards him. As he was half the way, Lazenby moved and Hannibal froze instantly. He waited one full minute to be sure the man was still sleeping. When the snoring started again, he proceeded further. He had almost arrived to the bed head when a slight movement at the other end of the room attracted his attention. He just had the time to turn his head to see a cat jumping in his direction caterwauling.

Hannibal managed avoiding the animal, but the noise woke Lazenby up. He jumped out of his bed and rushed to door. Hannibal blocked him and the man found himself projected on the wall. Hannibal ran to him and immobilized him on the top of the little desk that was in one corner of the room. But Lazenby was strong, and he managed to free himself and grab a letter opener.

Hannibal did not feel the pain when the blade hit his stomach. He grasped Lazenby' s wrists and pushed him to the bed. Then he grabbed him by the collar and lifted him to the bed head. In the twinkling of an eye, he took the hand-cuffs from his pocket and locked Lazenby' s both hands to the bed head bars.

Hannibal pulled the sheet from the bed and used it to tie Lazenby' s legs. Lazenby tried to resist but Hannibal Lecter' s will was stronger. In the end, he took off the pillow from its pillowcase and used the pillowcase to blindfold and gag Lazenby.

It was only when the man was neutralized that he realized he had been hurt. He put his hand to his stomach. The pain made him shiver. He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. He took a few seconds to recompose and slowly headed to the door. He opened it and went out. He answered Clarice' s silent question : "He's safe and secured on the bed." he said " I blindfolded him, you can enter to check". Then he made his way to the stairs.


Clarice pushed the door wide opened and had a look. Lazenby was struggling with his bonds. No doubt he was alive and healthy.

Hannibal missed a step and just stopped himself falling by grabbing the rail. Clarice heard the noise and saw him loose his balance. She had a last look at Lazenby and closed the door. "Dr Lecter ?" she called carefully. As he did not answer or move, she came closer. "Dr Lecter ? Is everything OK ?" She passed down him and looked at him. Even in the half light of the dawn, she saw the paleness of his face. "Dr Lecter ?" she asked for the third time, "What's wrong ?".

He gave her a poor smile. "I guess I am becoming too old for this kind of games, Clarice." he said softly. Clarice put her hand on his belly. She immediately realized the humidity of his shirt could not be due only to sweat. She looked at her hands and saw the blood.

" - Hannibal !" she cried out. He shushed her.
" - Shh, Clarice. I don't want our friend up there to hear you.
- Jesus, what happened ?
- A little technical hitch, I would say. Don't worry, I don't think it's serious." She saw his hands trembling on the rail.
" - Lean on me." she said.

She helped him down the stairs and into the sitting room. She made him sit on the couch. She removed his jacket and switch on the little lamp on the coffee table. His shirt was covered with blood.

" - Christ !
- Clarice, please stay calm. Last thing I need is you to panic. Could you get to the bathroom and get me some towels. Maybe a pan of hot water too ?"

She did not answer but ran up the stairs. In the bathroom, she found a medicine cabinet and took some alcohol and some bandage, along with all the towels she could see. Then she went to the kitchen and got the water. She was about to leave when she saw a bottle of whisky. She took it.

When she came back to the sitting room, Hannibal was lying on the couch, his face turned to the back of it. She put her material on the table and kneeled next to him.

" Let me see." she said. Her voice was calm now. He turned his face to her. When she started to unbutton his shirt, he seized her hands.

" - I can do it, Clarice.
- Hannibal Lecter ! Stop being childish, will you. You're not the first man I will see stripped to the waist."

He sighed and let go her hands. She unbuttoned and removed his shirt. "Shit !" she said. She started cleaning his belly. Blood was running abundantly from a eight inches cut on his stomach.

" - It's bleeding too much." she said. "But I don't think any organ was touched.
- It was a letter opener. Not sharp enough to make big damages." His voice was weakening. She knew she had to keep him awake.
" - Hannibal, come on, keep talking to me. Tell me what happened."

He started telling her about his fight with Lazenby. She took a towel and pressed it hard on the wound. He tensed up and choke back a cry of pain. He gritted his teeth and turned his face to the back of the couch.

Clarice put her free hand on his forehead. "Sorry," she said softly " but I must stop the bleeding". He nodded and looked at her. They stayed like that for a few minutes. His face was tensed with pain, but he did not moan. She was gently stroking his forehead and whispering words of alleviation.

Then she cautiously released the pressure and raised the towel. The blood had stopped pouring but the towel was soaked. Clarice took a clean linen and started disinfecting the wound with alcohol. Hannibal let her do without complaining, keeping his eyes on her. Then she dressed the wound carefully. She took the bottle of whisky and helped him take a sip.

He was starting relaxing. She let him fall slowly asleep. He shivered. She went up and got a blanket from the empty room upstairs. She opened Lazenby' s bedroom and had a look. The man had stopped struggling and was resting on his bed. She closed the door and went down.

Hannibal' s eyes were closed, but his sleep was agitated. She covered him with the blanket and sat on the floor near him. She leaned against the couch and took his right hand in hers. The contact of her hand seemed to calm him a bit. She breathed heavily and started reviewing the events of the night. She felt back the anguish that had caught her when she had seen he was injured, the fear she felt when she removed his shirt and saw all the blood.

Although it was difficult for her to admit it, she had been scared. Scared to loose him.

She gave a wry smile. One week ago, she would have sworn Hannibal Lecter was her worst enemy. She would have been sincere. But would have it been true ? To say her emotions were confused was a euphemism. Hannibal moved on the couch. She put her hand on his chest and soothed him. She leaned her head on the couch and stared at him. Would she ever been able to understand this man ? So much violence in him, and yet, sometimes, what she read in his eyes was so close to tenderness. And would she ever been able to understand her feelings for him ?

Slowly, Clarice felt asleep.


She was woken up by the bright light of the sun. She yawned loudly. She felt a thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. She looked up.

" - Hannibal ! How do you feel ?
- I'm OK, Clarice. Thanks to you."
- Umh." she nodded.

His voice was low and he was very pale, but seemed a little better. She had a look at the wound: the dressing was clean. She sat straight, groaning at her painful muscle.

" - You slept on the floor." he said. "Your whole body must be aching.
- Not the first time." She smiled. " So, what do we do now ?
- I guess we should take care of our host." As she looked at him puzzled, he added: " Feed him, I mean. And perhaps a glass of water ?
- Yeah."

She stood up. She saw the rictus of pain when he tried to sit.

" - Easy." she said, forcing him back to the couch. " Where do you think you're going ?
- Kitchen." She looked at him with a self explanatory look. He smiled. " At least, this is what I'm trying to do.
- How is pain ?
- Bearable." Knowing the man's notion of what was bearable, she was not sure this was good news.

" - Clarice, would you do one last thing for me ?
- Sure.
- I would need a bandage, something tight enough to keep the wound together.
- All right ... You won't give up anyway, will you ?"

He smiled. She helped him lean on his elbows and started banding his waist. " As tight as you can." he said. She complied. When the operation was finished, he sat. "Thank you, Clarice ... Breakfast !" he said.

She helped him up but he refused her support to walk. In the kitchen, he started checking the fridge and the cupboards. "Umh," he said. " I think we can arrange something. He picked up some bacon and eggs and found a pan in one of the cupboards. She watched him fry the bacon. He was whistling. She smiled. Contradictory thoughts started to invade her mind again. How could she feel so well when he was around ? When did it start ? When did she stop being special agent Clarice Starling, the incorruptible Clarice Starling ?

She shook her head to get rid of her thought. As she looked down, she saw his hand gripped to the border of the counter. She went to him and put her arm around his waist. Then she gently pushed him to one of the kitchen chairs.

" - I'll cook." she said.
" - Clarice, please, stop mothering me. The wound is not serious. I will survive.
- I have no doubt about it. But you've lost a lot of blood, you have fever and you're in pain.
- Does all this qualify you as a cook ?
- Sure does. Lazenby could not reach your stomach but I think I can finish the job." she said with a grin. He chuckled.

They ate their breakfast in silence. Then Clarice started preparing something for Lazenby as well. When she had finished, she put everything on a tray. Hannibal stood up and preceded her.

" - Where are you going ?" she asked.
- I am going to serve his breakfast to our host, why ?
- I can do it.
- Clarice, Lazenby does not know of your presence. And I intent to keep it this way. I will let you cook or whatever you want to do, but I am dealing with William Lazenby." As she was about to answer he added: " This is non negotiable, agent Starling.
- Whatever you say, boss."

They went up. He opened the door and she handed him the tray. He went to the bed and put his load on the bedside table. Lazenby had felt his presence and was mumbling and struggling.. Hannibal sat on the bed.

" Here, here, here. Please calm down, Mr. Lazenby. Let me explain you the situation. I have currently no intention to kill you, or even to hurt you. But I need to keep you quiet for a couple of days. I can see two ways of doing that. The first one implies cooperation from your side and courtesy from mine." Lazenby was still now and listening to him. "The second way would be simpler for me, because I would not have to trust you. However, it would involve violence and could turn out to be for you a little bit ... unpleasant. So, which way do you prefer ?"

Lazenby mumble again. "Umh, I see we have a little problem of communication here. This is what I suggest: I will remove your gag, and in gratitude you will avoid screaming. Would that arrangement suit you ?" Lazenby nodded. "Okey-dokey. Here we are." Lazenby took a deep breath.

" - Who the hell are you ?" he asked.
" - I don't believe this is relevant to our conversation. Now, I see I might have been a little in a hurry last night. These bonds are rather tight. Perhaps I could ease them a little bit, what do you think ?
- Yes.
- Right. But I would need you to promise me you will not try anything foolish, will you ? Something to make me regret my kind gesture ...
- No.
- All right, I'll trust you."

His voice was soft, but yet enough threatening to make the man freeze for a whole week, Clarice thought. Hannibal stood up and took it to loosen a little bit the links he had tied on Lazenby' s legs. Then he went back to sit near the bedside table.

" OK. Now that we are a little bit more comfortable, what would you think about a breakfast ? Unfortunately, I cannot uncover your eyes, and this for your own safety as you may have understood. So I guess I will have to feed you. Believe me, this perspective does not please more than it pleases you, but if we both behave as reasonable human beings, I am certain we can make it through. All right ?
- Yes.
- Good ! Now open up."

Hannibal fed him with the bacon and eggs Clarice had prepared. It took him about half an hour. Meantime, Clarice silently went to the large cupboard which was standing against the wall and opened it carefully. She took a clean shirt from it, as well as a woolen jacket.

When Lazenby had finished his meal, Hannibal helped him drink a glass of water.

" - OK. Now, I have to put back your gag.
- It is not necessary.
- Umh, I'm afraid it is. I'm sorry. But I will try not to put it too tight so that you can breathe normally. May I suggest you have a rest now."

When he had finished, Hannibal stood up with difficulties. He took the tray and headed to the door. As soon as he was out, Clarice closed the door behind him and took the tray from his hands. She put it on a little pier table in the corridor and put her arm around his waist. Hannibal put his arm on her shoulder and leant on her with relief.

She slowly led him down the stairs and to a large armchair in the sitting room. He looked exhausted. The effort he had done with Lazenby had apparently drained away all his energy. He closed his eyes.

Clarice covered him with Lazenby' s jacket and went to clean up the kitchen. When she came back, he was sleeping. She settled on the couch. There were some magazines on the coffee table. She took one and started leaf through it. It was half past two on Saturday. They still had time before Malcolm Van Basten would show up.


To be continued ... Thanks for reading. Reviews welcome.
Absolut