Disclaimer: The
characters of Hannibal Lecter, Clarice Starling and Ardelia Mapp do not
belong to me,
but to Thomas Harris.
I'll turn them back when I've finished. No copyright infringement
intended, no profit made.
Author' s note: OK. I admit this is a little out of topic. Kind of mini-fic inside the fic. But I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.
Chapter 3: December 24th, 1992.
Hannibal Lecter was standing by the window of his study. It was only 9:00 am but the sun was already hot. He felt a little bit of nostalgia for the white Christmas of his childhood back in Lithuania.
But apart from the climate, Kenya had been a nice place to live so far. He had arrived there about a year before as Doctor Pier-Paolo Speranza, an eminent italian zoologist who had been appointed as director of the Kambuyu natural reserve. He had rapidly got accustomed to the local way of living and, though he did not mix up a lot with the other european citizens in the area, was now considered as a respectable figure in the local society.
A knock on the door took him out of his reverie. "Come in". Catala entered the room. Hannibal always felt a little bit impressed when his secretary-chauffeur-body guard appeared like that. The black man was almost 6 ft 5 tall, and was built like a wrestler. He had hired Catala a few weeks after he had bought the house, and never regretted it since.
But more than his physical appearance, what Hannibal appreciated the more in the young man was his discretion. Catala never spoke unless he was invited to, and he never asked anything about Hannibal' s past. He had accepted without a word the story Hannibal had told him and never failed obeying an order since. It was not in Lecter' s nature to trust other people, but Catala was to him the closest thing to a right-hand man.
" - Chief Inspector Ramala has arrived, Dottore. He is waiting for you in the library.
- Thank you, Catala.
- Will you need me, Dottore.
- No. I'll be fine. I want you to go to town instead. Here is a list of things I would like you to bring me back. And a letter ... same procedure as usual."
Catala took the envelope and the sheet of paper. He read the list but did not ask any question. "This is for my Christmas dinner." Hannibal added. "Would you like to join me ?" The young man looked at him surprised.
" - I don't know if it is suitable, Dottore.
- Why not ? To tell you the truth, I feel a little bit sad to the idea of spending another Christmas night alone ... But of course, if you had other plans, I understand perfectly.
- I don't have other plans, Dottore. If you would like my company, I will be happy to serve.
- Then it's all settled. You'll be my guest. Go now. And tell inspector Ramala I will join him in a minute."
Catala left silently and closed the door behind him. Hannibal sat in his armchair. Now he had to take care of Ramala.
Edoardo Ramala was the head of the local police, which meant at maximum six people, and not particularly perspicacious. But Ramala was a little bit smarter than his men and had lately become a little bit too curious. Hannibal knew that some of his employees at the reserve had been questioned by the policeman. And he did not like it. He did not think Ramala had yet a clear idea of who he was, though. But he was certainly suspicious.
Ramala had come to his house because some poachers had been seen on the reserve. He could have sent one of his men to Catala. Instead, he had come personally to see Dr. Speranza. That did not smell good.
Hannibal stood up and headed to the library. He found Ramala apparently lost in the contemplation of the bookshelves. The policeman didn't hear him come in and was startled when Hannibal greeted him.
" - Chief inspector, Ramala ! What gives me the pleasure ?
- Doctor Speranza. It is always my pleasure to visit you. Though the circumstances this time are not really something to celebrate, I'm afraid. I have come to talk to you about the poachers who have been recently signaled on the reserve.
- Please, take a seat."
Ramala sat on the armchair Lecter had shown him. Hannibal remained standing, though, which made the inspector a little bit uncomfortable.
" - Yes. I feel very concerned about these new gangs" Hannibal started again. "No animal loss has been reported yet, but one guard found three traps yesterday that could have been fatal to a lion. I have reinforced the patrols, but the territory of the reserve is far too vast to be fully covered.
- Of course. Unfortunately, I do not have enough men to support your patrols, but we are currently investigating to try to identify these criminals. I wanted to assure you that I am taking the matter very seriously.
- I thank you, inspector. How can I be of assistance ?
- Well, we suspect they could have had some help from the inside to penetrate into the reserve.
- An employee ?
- Could be. Though we have no clear evidence yet, but that could be a lead.
- Really, inspector, I'd be surprised. All people working here have been carefully chosen by my predecessor or myself, and I don't see who among them would be silly enough to risk their job to ...
- I understand, Doctor, but it is however a possibility."
Hannibal hated to be interrupted in the middle of a sentence. He was now standing behind Ramala' s armchair.
" - I guess you know this matter better than me, inspector. Is there anything I can do to help you ?
- In fact, yes. I would need your authorization to let my men interrogate the employees of the reserve. First as potential witnesses, of course.
- I'll be most happy to oblige, inspector.
- Thank you, Dr. Speranza. I was certain of your cooperation."
Hannibal came back in front of Ramala.
" - You are welcome. But you must take me for a very impolite host. I did not even offer you a drink. I'm awfully sorry, inspector, but I've been so preoccupied by the recent events ... Would you like some coffee or something ? Maybe a tea ?
- A tea would be fine, thank you."
Hannibal called for a maid and ordered tea for two.
" - So," he said. "I have seen you were interested in my books when I entered.
- Very much, doctor. In fact, I am very impressed by the richness of your library. I think some of these books are first editions, aren't they ?
- That is right. I happen to possess a few pieces of which I am really proud. Do you read a lot ?
- Not as much as I would like. My job is rather ... demanding, you know.
- I'm sorry for you."
The maid had returned with a tray. "Just leave it on the table, Mary." Hannibal said. "I will handle it." Mary complied and left the two men alone. Hannibal went to the table. He was turning his back to Ramala.
" - How do you take your tea, inspector ?
- Two spoons of sugar, no milk."
Hannibal poured the hot beverage in two cups of the finest china. He added sugar for Ramala ... and a little supplement of his that the policeman had not requested. The sleeping powder was almost tasteless and the bitterness of the tea would make it impossible to detect anyway. He came back to Ramala and handed him his cup.
" - Thank you, doctor." Hannibal nodded gracefully. The two men took a sip of tea in silence. Then Ramala went on: "Tell me, doctor, did you get used to your new life here in Kenya ?
- Yes. Yours is a beautiful country. I must confess I sometimes suffer from the heat, but for the rest, I find myself very happy here.
- Yes, I guess the weather is very different from Italy. Which part of Italy do you come from ?
- Venezia ... Venice. Quite different indeed.
- Venice ? I suppose the fauna there is rather poor. I mean, for a zoologist like you.
- You are right. But I traveled a lot. Amazonia, China, New Zealand. And of course Africa.
- And, did you have a specialty ?
- The wildcats, mainly. I have always been fascinated by their instinct.
- Yes, they are really interesting animals."
Ramala yawned. He was starting feeling slightly dizzy.
" - What about you, inspector, are you interested in animals ?
- Well, as many african men, I ... " Ramala was suddenly feeling very weak. " I ... I'm sorry, doctor, I just ...
- Are you all right, inspector ? You don't look so well.
- I don't know what happens to me ... I feel so ... so tired. I ..."
The policeman did not have the time to finish his sentence. He collapsed on the armchair and dropped his cup, that crashed on the floor. Hannibal smiled. No complications so far. But that was the easy part. He put his cup on the coffee table and went behind the armchair. From the inside pocket of his jacket he took a thin iron wire and winded it around Ramala' s neck. He squeezed it. When he was sure the policeman would no more be a problem, he released the pressure.
Ramala was about his height, but really fatter ... and heavier. Hannibal grabbed the dead body and hoisted it on his shoulder. He headed to the bookshelf on his right and manipulated the modern edition of Dante' s Divine Comedy. A whole section of the huge piece of furniture started to swivel. As soon as there was enough space for him to pass with his load, he entered the secret room and closed the passage behind him. He laid down the corpse on a large table. "My dear friend, he you were not so dead, I would suggest you a diet."
Hannibal changed into the policeman' s uniform. He used some linen he had prepared to look fatter. He looked at the result in the mirror. He put the cap forward in order to hide his face: that would do. He checked the car keys were in his pocket and went out the same way he had come in.
On his way to the patrol car he passed two of his employees who did not seem to recognize him. He stepped into the car and left the reserve. The guard at the entrance was an ex cop. He saluted the man he thought was his previous boss. Hannibal waved back and smiled. That would be an excellent witness.
He drove about twenty miles and hid the car. Then he changed back to his own clothes and took the direction of the bus stop he had previously spotted. He left the bus on the western limit of the reserve. He knew a hole in the fence that would enable him to enter unnoticed. It was probably the same passage the poachers were using to penetrate into the reserve. He would have to do something about it, but for the moment, he found it very convenient.
An hour later, Hannibal was back in his house. He went upstairs to take a shower and change.
Back in his study, he sat at his table, as quiet as a cat. His plan had gone smooth. He had no reason to worry. He saw that Catala had come back from town because the newspapers the young man daily bought for him were on his desk. The Washington Post was easy to find, but he had had to make a special order to receive the National Tattler as well. He had a lazy look at the Tattler headlines and decided for the Post first. As every day in the last two years or so, he jumped directly to the ad section. As every day in the last two years there was nothing for him in it.
He put the paper back on the table and closed his eyes. In the first weeks he had desperately hoped Clarice would call for him. Then he had anxiously feared she would ask him to stop writing to her. None of this happened. With time, he had concluded she was fine, reconstructing her own life as he had urged her to do. And as no counter order had come, he had gone on writing to her.
The letter Catala had posted that morning was containing an extra gift. After all, it was Christmas ... He had bought the little golden necklace in Florence, so long ago. The cameo he had attached to it was all he had left from his own mother. The fine figures of his mother appeared to him. She was so delicate, and yet so strong. Clarice looked so strong, and yet she was so fragile inside. For a second he wondered what Mischa would have been like if she had had a chance to grow up.
Hannibal suddenly opened his eyes and shook his head. He knew he was drowning again in his memories and he could not afford it right now. He had Mr. Ramala to attend to. He got up and went to the library.
Catala had arrived at 8:00 pm sharp. Hannibal had a shock when he opened the door: the young man was wearing a black tuxedo which, even if it was not exactly as elegant as Lecter' s one, would have opened the gates of the Kambuyu good society to the kenyan without any problem. Till now, Hannibal had only seen him in his bush clothes and had not realized how classy his companion could be.
" - Catala ! You're so elegant !
- Thank you, Dottore. I thought this was more suitable.
- Yeah ... it sure is. Please, come in. you are just in time. I appreciate that."
Catala gave him a broad smile as an answer, and the contrast of his white teeth with his dark brown skin made him look very attractive. Although he had never seen him with a woman, Hannibal suspected Catala had broken the heart of many of them.
" - Dinner will be ready soon. Would you like a drink before ?
- I don't drink alcohol, dottore ... It's bad for the concentration.
- Of course. But I do hope you will taste the wine tonight. The Château d'Yquem is remarkable. If you have to try only one in your life, it must be this one. Besides, you're not on duty tonight.
- I will try, then.
- I have some orange juice, here. Or maybe a soda ?
- Juice will be fine. Thank you, dottore."
Hannibal helped a glass of home-made juice for his guest and a cup of champaign for himself.
" - Merry Christmas, Catala.
- Merry Christmas, dottore."
They drank in silence. The young man seemed perfectly calm and comfortable. Hannibal liked that, even if he understood there would not be much talking that night - it was simply not in the man' s nature. So, he was surprised when Catala was the one to break the silence.
" - I did not see the maids or any employee when I arrived, dottore.
- That's right. I gave everybody leave for tonight. Even to the cook ... so, I'm afraid you will have to rely on me for the food. I hope you don't mind.
- Not at all, dottore." He gave him his bright smile again. Hannibal laughed.
" - Good !". Then after a while: "I want you to know I really appreciate you accepted my invitation, Catala. I was not feeling like spending this evening alone. I hope I did not interfere with any plans you had. People generally like to spend Christmas with their family.
- I don't have a family, dottore.
- Sorry for that. I hope I did not break the heart of a young woman you had foreseen to take to dinner ..."
Catala burst out laughing. It was the first time Hannibal ever saw him laugh. "No, dottore. She is having Christmas with her own family. They never really appreciated me, you know. So I was rather relieved to have a good reason not to go."
Hannibal smiled.
" - Happy to have been of assistance." he said. "So, you have a girlfriend, haven't you ? What's her name, if I may ask ?
- You may, dottore. Mahany is her name.
- Beautiful name.
- Yes. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman." Hannibal was pleasantly surprised that Catala was so willing to speak tonight. He truly liked the man. After all, this evening could be charming. Catala went on: "She is much more intelligent then me. She is going to the university, you know. She wants to be a doctor.
- Really ! Where does she study ?
- In Nairobi. She will finish next year. We will get married as soon as she comes back.
- Congratulations. So, she will practice here ?
- Yes. She will replace old doctor Merengy after he retires.
- So ... I can hope to keep you with me after your wedding ?"
Catala looked puzzled.
" - Of course, dottore !
- Good. Now, if you excuse me, I must leave you for a few minutes to attend to our dinner. Why don't you choose some music for us ?"
Hannibal got up and indicated the stereo. Catala nodded.
Hannibal went to the kitchen. It had been a while since he had cooked brain and he did want to honor Mr. Ramala' s one as it should. He checked the sauce pan: everything looked fine. Then he opened the oven and took out the vole-au-vent. They were glazed to perfection. He removed their little hat and started filling them with the sauce. It smelled good. As he was about to complete the task, he heard the first chords of the Goldberg Variations by Bach coming from the dinning room. "Umh, the boy had a good taste ..." he thought.
Before leaving the kitchen, he put back the roast meat in the oven and checked the vegetables. Timing was perfect. When he came back to the dinning room with the first course and the wine, Catala was standing by the window, apparently lost in his thoughts.
" - Excellent choice." Hannibal said after having put the dish and bottle on the table. Catala looked at him, confused. "The music, I mean.
- Oh ... Yes, I love Bach.
- I did not expect you would be a connoisseur of classical music.
- I love the piano. I actually started learning to play when I was a kid. But then I had to stop.
- Really ? What happened ?"
Catala turned back to the window without answering. For a moment, Hannibal feared the young man would shut himself away again. "I'm sorry, Catala. I have a tendency to be too curious sometimes. Please, forgive me ... Should we start ? I'm afraid the vole-au-vent would get cold otherwise."
Catala went to sit a the table and gave a shy smile to his host. Hannibal poured some wine in their glasses and sat down too. "Bon appetit." he said. "Bon appetit a vous, dottore" Catala replied. His french accent was almost perfect. Hannibal was more and more intrigued.
They started eating their meal.
" - It is really delicious, dottore.
- Thank you, Catala." The young man took a sip of wine.
" - And the wine surely measures up."
Hannibal nodded. They remained silent for another ten minutes, savoring the food and the drink. Hannibal was the one to break the silence this time.
" - You know I have a piano here.
- I know, dottore. I've heard you play sometimes. You are very talented.
- Thank you. I thought ... if you want to practice from time to time, you can use it. And ... if you feel like it, I would be glad to offer my services."
Catala stared at him in disbelief. But the touch of envy in the man' s eyes did not escape Hannibal.
" - That is very generous of you, dottore. But I'm afraid I have forgotten almost everything now. I haven't played since at least fifteen years. I don't imagine I could be a suitable student.
- Well, we all have to start at the beginning, don't we ? Really, that would not bother me at all.
- I ... " he chuckled. "I would love it, dottore.
- Then it's all setup. Let's drink to that."
Hannibal raised his glass and they both had a mouthful of wine. Hannibal stood up and took their plates to the kitchen. When he came back with the second course, Catala had finished his glass and looked much more relaxed. They went on with the dinner and a light conversation about women and Catala' s fiancee, which soon appeared to be his favorite subject. Hannibal was mainly listening to his companion, who seemed inexhaustible as far as singing the praises of young Mahany was concerned. At the end of the meal, Hannibal stood up and went back to the table with a little cigar box.
" - Do you mind my smoking ?" he asked.
" - No, dottore.
- Would you like one ?"
The young man hesitated for a second and took one of the brown cigar the doctor was offering. Hannibal observed him as he cut the end of it. No doubt about it, Catala had had an education far beyond the classical kenyan village one. Hannibal lit his cigar and exhaled the smoke slowly.
"What about you, dottore ? There is a woman too, isn't there ?" The question startled Hannibal. He stared intensely at his guest whose face slightly reddened. But Catala did not break the look. Hannibal had no idea why, but he felt comfortable with the young man. There was something special about him, something that made him willing to talk.
" - There is.
- But she is not here, is she ?
- No, Catala. She is not. She is far away.
- The letters ..." he paused, as if unsure he could go on with impunity, but then he made his mind. "The letters you ask me to post, they are for her, aren't they ?"
Hannibal smiled.
" - I'm sorry, dottore. I shouldn't have asked.
- It's all right, Catala. Don't worry ... Yes, the letters are for her ... Her name is Clarice.
- And you love her.
- I do. More than anything else in the world ... More than my own life.
...
- Doesn't she love you back ?
- ... I don't know, Catala. I don't know. And I'm not sure she knows herself.
- Is this why you are sad tonight ?
- Maybe."
There were a few minutes of uneasy silence. Dottore Speranza seemed completely elsewhere, lost in his own world. Catala was afraid he had gone too far. He had loved working for the dottore this past year. Speranza was always courteous with his employees and he never beaten them. That was another story in the farm where Catala had worked previously. Additionally, the man seemed to trust him. And that feeling was new for Catala. And now this dinner ...
Hannibal finally came back to reality. The concern on his companion' s face made him smile. "Sorry, Catala. I'm afraid I lost contact for a while. Would you like a coffee ?". Catala nodded. Hannibal went to the kitchen to prepare the coffee. As he was manipulating the percolator, his thoughts came back to what had just happened. He could not believe he had talked about Clarice to a man he hardly knew. But yet, he was not worried. For some reasons, he knew Catala would keep it for him. What was it with this man that was so familiar to the good doctor ? He had to find out.
He came back with a tray. "Let's have the coffee in the sitting room, we'll be more comfortable." Catala followed him and they settled in two big brown leather armchairs. Hannibal handed the young man a cup of strong italian coffee.
" - Catala, do you mind if I ask you a personal question ? You're not obliged to answer, of course. If you think I am indiscreet, just tell me.
- Go ahead, dottore.
- Well, I must confess you intrigued me tonight, my friend. The tuxedo, first, then the piano, your french, which sounds almost perfect, and your manners ... All that indicate a high level education ...".
Catala took a few seconds before answering.
" - Something you would not expect from a body guard, would you ?" There was a small trace of agressivity in his voice. Hannibal smiled.
" - You're much more than a body guard to me, Catala. And I think you know it.
...
- I was not born in Kambuyu. I am from the north of the country. My family was an important one there. My father wanted the best education for his children, and he had the means to get it. He appointed an english tutor for me. And a french music professor ... He took us to Italy once. And though I was only four years old, he had me visit all the museums of Roma." He smiled at the memory, but his smile rapidly faded.
...
" - What happened ?" Hannibal asked for the second time in the evening. The young man sighed.
" - My family belonged to the Habaru ethnic group. We were a minority in the north ... One morning, a gang of the Semifu group entered our estate ... They started massacring all the servants first, even the ones from their own ethnic group. They considered them as traitors because they were serving the enemy ... us ... They locked us in the cellar, but we could still hear the screaming ... Me, my parents and my little sister, Marina."
Hannibal Lecter' s heart skipped a few beats when he heard Catala mention his sister.
" - How old was she ?" he couldn't help asking. His face was as pale as chalk.
" - Marina was two years old. My parents had given her an italian name, because they thought it had more class. I was named after my grandfather. He was a warrior. I was only six years old, but I understood perfectly what was happening."
Catala' s eyes were shining. He was looking in the void while the memories were coming up to his conscience. He took a deep breath and went on:
"When they had finished with the servants, their chief came to us with a few of his men ... They took my mother first ... He cut her throat ... in front of us ... It was the first time I ever saw my father crying ... They started beating him ... three of them ... He was crying, but I know it was not for the physical pain ... My mother was everything to him."
Hannibal shivered as his own memories were surfacing. He shook his head strongly: he could not let them out, not now.
"Then they took me and my sister upstairs ... I knew they would not spare us ... They just wanted to play with us before killing us ... She was only two years old ... She could not understand ... She was looking at me as if I could explain, but how could I ... They raped me first ... Their chief, and then his cousin ... They though I was worn out after that, so their attention slackened for a brief moment. I profited by it: I took Marina in my arms and I started running ... I ran as fast as I could, but she was heavy, so heavy for me ... So, I put her on my back and told her to hold on my neck ... She was very brave ... She was scared to death but she did not she a tear, and shed did what I told her ... I ran ... As fast as my legs could run."
Hannibal did not need the young man to continue to know the end of the story. Neither did he want to hear it. But he could not interrupt him either.
"I heard the shot of the riffle ... And I felt the little arms release the pressure on my neck ... I tried to grab her but I failed and she fell on the floor without a sound ... I knew she was dead, but I had to look ... She was lying on the floor, her eyes closed ... She was smiling ... The others were getting closer, I could hear them ... So, I ran away ... And I left her."
Hannibal slowly got closer to the young man. Catala was sitting straight in the armchair. He was looking in front of him at nothing in particular and seemed to have forgotten the presence of his employer. His eyes were feverish. Hannibal moved behind him and put his hands on Catala' s shoulder. The contact made the younger man chill. He bent his head and tears started rolling freely on his cheeks.
Hannibal started massaging the shoulders but did not say a word. He was unable to speak. The doors of his memory palace were cracking as the memories of his own childhood were trying to come out and invade his mind. He did not want to let them out, but he had to use all his mental energy to keep the doors closed. Even for a man like Hannibal Lecter, control has its limits. He heard the screaming of Mischa and closed his eyes. Though his body was seemingly calm, the inside of his skull was a real battle field. Both men remained like that for a few minutes, which appeared an eternity for each of them.
The sobbing of his companion brought Hannibal back to the reality.
" - It's gonna be all right, Catala. I understand ...
- How could you ...
- I understand." Hannibal took a deep breath. "Believe me, I do."
Now Hannibal knew why he had felt so close to Catala. The young man progressively calmed down and they spent the rest of the evening listening to the music and talking about light topics, as light as possible, as far away from the tragedy as possible.
It was half past two when Catala finally left and Hannibal went to bed.
It was dark. So dark. He could hear her voice but could not tell where it was coming from. Hannibal was running in the corridors, violently opening all the doors he saw, but she was not there. "Hannibal, help me." Clarice' s voice was ringing in his mind. He shouted in the dark: "Clarice, where are you ? Tell me where you are !"
But Clarice did not seem to hear him. "You said you would help me. You said you would always be there for me. But you lied to me."
The voice sounded desperate. But no matter how long and how fast Hannibal was running, it never seemed to be closer. "Help me !"
Hannibal woke up screaming. He sat straight in his bed. It took a while before his breathing came back to normal. He looked around him. The sheets were torn out on his bed. Sweat was covering his face and his chest. He shivered. A nightmare ... It was just another nightmare ...
It had been months he had not had one. The emotions of the evening had provoked this one. He shook his head.
He missed her. He missed her so much. But he had made a promise and he would not break it.
To be continued. Thanks for reading. Reviews welcome ...
Absolut.
Author' s note: OK. I admit this is a little out of topic. Kind of mini-fic inside the fic. But I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.
Chapter 3: December 24th, 1992.
Hannibal Lecter was standing by the window of his study. It was only 9:00 am but the sun was already hot. He felt a little bit of nostalgia for the white Christmas of his childhood back in Lithuania.
But apart from the climate, Kenya had been a nice place to live so far. He had arrived there about a year before as Doctor Pier-Paolo Speranza, an eminent italian zoologist who had been appointed as director of the Kambuyu natural reserve. He had rapidly got accustomed to the local way of living and, though he did not mix up a lot with the other european citizens in the area, was now considered as a respectable figure in the local society.
A knock on the door took him out of his reverie. "Come in". Catala entered the room. Hannibal always felt a little bit impressed when his secretary-chauffeur-body guard appeared like that. The black man was almost 6 ft 5 tall, and was built like a wrestler. He had hired Catala a few weeks after he had bought the house, and never regretted it since.
But more than his physical appearance, what Hannibal appreciated the more in the young man was his discretion. Catala never spoke unless he was invited to, and he never asked anything about Hannibal' s past. He had accepted without a word the story Hannibal had told him and never failed obeying an order since. It was not in Lecter' s nature to trust other people, but Catala was to him the closest thing to a right-hand man.
" - Chief Inspector Ramala has arrived, Dottore. He is waiting for you in the library.
- Thank you, Catala.
- Will you need me, Dottore.
- No. I'll be fine. I want you to go to town instead. Here is a list of things I would like you to bring me back. And a letter ... same procedure as usual."
Catala took the envelope and the sheet of paper. He read the list but did not ask any question. "This is for my Christmas dinner." Hannibal added. "Would you like to join me ?" The young man looked at him surprised.
" - I don't know if it is suitable, Dottore.
- Why not ? To tell you the truth, I feel a little bit sad to the idea of spending another Christmas night alone ... But of course, if you had other plans, I understand perfectly.
- I don't have other plans, Dottore. If you would like my company, I will be happy to serve.
- Then it's all settled. You'll be my guest. Go now. And tell inspector Ramala I will join him in a minute."
Catala left silently and closed the door behind him. Hannibal sat in his armchair. Now he had to take care of Ramala.
Edoardo Ramala was the head of the local police, which meant at maximum six people, and not particularly perspicacious. But Ramala was a little bit smarter than his men and had lately become a little bit too curious. Hannibal knew that some of his employees at the reserve had been questioned by the policeman. And he did not like it. He did not think Ramala had yet a clear idea of who he was, though. But he was certainly suspicious.
Ramala had come to his house because some poachers had been seen on the reserve. He could have sent one of his men to Catala. Instead, he had come personally to see Dr. Speranza. That did not smell good.
Hannibal stood up and headed to the library. He found Ramala apparently lost in the contemplation of the bookshelves. The policeman didn't hear him come in and was startled when Hannibal greeted him.
" - Chief inspector, Ramala ! What gives me the pleasure ?
- Doctor Speranza. It is always my pleasure to visit you. Though the circumstances this time are not really something to celebrate, I'm afraid. I have come to talk to you about the poachers who have been recently signaled on the reserve.
- Please, take a seat."
Ramala sat on the armchair Lecter had shown him. Hannibal remained standing, though, which made the inspector a little bit uncomfortable.
" - Yes. I feel very concerned about these new gangs" Hannibal started again. "No animal loss has been reported yet, but one guard found three traps yesterday that could have been fatal to a lion. I have reinforced the patrols, but the territory of the reserve is far too vast to be fully covered.
- Of course. Unfortunately, I do not have enough men to support your patrols, but we are currently investigating to try to identify these criminals. I wanted to assure you that I am taking the matter very seriously.
- I thank you, inspector. How can I be of assistance ?
- Well, we suspect they could have had some help from the inside to penetrate into the reserve.
- An employee ?
- Could be. Though we have no clear evidence yet, but that could be a lead.
- Really, inspector, I'd be surprised. All people working here have been carefully chosen by my predecessor or myself, and I don't see who among them would be silly enough to risk their job to ...
- I understand, Doctor, but it is however a possibility."
Hannibal hated to be interrupted in the middle of a sentence. He was now standing behind Ramala' s armchair.
" - I guess you know this matter better than me, inspector. Is there anything I can do to help you ?
- In fact, yes. I would need your authorization to let my men interrogate the employees of the reserve. First as potential witnesses, of course.
- I'll be most happy to oblige, inspector.
- Thank you, Dr. Speranza. I was certain of your cooperation."
Hannibal came back in front of Ramala.
" - You are welcome. But you must take me for a very impolite host. I did not even offer you a drink. I'm awfully sorry, inspector, but I've been so preoccupied by the recent events ... Would you like some coffee or something ? Maybe a tea ?
- A tea would be fine, thank you."
Hannibal called for a maid and ordered tea for two.
" - So," he said. "I have seen you were interested in my books when I entered.
- Very much, doctor. In fact, I am very impressed by the richness of your library. I think some of these books are first editions, aren't they ?
- That is right. I happen to possess a few pieces of which I am really proud. Do you read a lot ?
- Not as much as I would like. My job is rather ... demanding, you know.
- I'm sorry for you."
The maid had returned with a tray. "Just leave it on the table, Mary." Hannibal said. "I will handle it." Mary complied and left the two men alone. Hannibal went to the table. He was turning his back to Ramala.
" - How do you take your tea, inspector ?
- Two spoons of sugar, no milk."
Hannibal poured the hot beverage in two cups of the finest china. He added sugar for Ramala ... and a little supplement of his that the policeman had not requested. The sleeping powder was almost tasteless and the bitterness of the tea would make it impossible to detect anyway. He came back to Ramala and handed him his cup.
" - Thank you, doctor." Hannibal nodded gracefully. The two men took a sip of tea in silence. Then Ramala went on: "Tell me, doctor, did you get used to your new life here in Kenya ?
- Yes. Yours is a beautiful country. I must confess I sometimes suffer from the heat, but for the rest, I find myself very happy here.
- Yes, I guess the weather is very different from Italy. Which part of Italy do you come from ?
- Venezia ... Venice. Quite different indeed.
- Venice ? I suppose the fauna there is rather poor. I mean, for a zoologist like you.
- You are right. But I traveled a lot. Amazonia, China, New Zealand. And of course Africa.
- And, did you have a specialty ?
- The wildcats, mainly. I have always been fascinated by their instinct.
- Yes, they are really interesting animals."
Ramala yawned. He was starting feeling slightly dizzy.
" - What about you, inspector, are you interested in animals ?
- Well, as many african men, I ... " Ramala was suddenly feeling very weak. " I ... I'm sorry, doctor, I just ...
- Are you all right, inspector ? You don't look so well.
- I don't know what happens to me ... I feel so ... so tired. I ..."
The policeman did not have the time to finish his sentence. He collapsed on the armchair and dropped his cup, that crashed on the floor. Hannibal smiled. No complications so far. But that was the easy part. He put his cup on the coffee table and went behind the armchair. From the inside pocket of his jacket he took a thin iron wire and winded it around Ramala' s neck. He squeezed it. When he was sure the policeman would no more be a problem, he released the pressure.
Ramala was about his height, but really fatter ... and heavier. Hannibal grabbed the dead body and hoisted it on his shoulder. He headed to the bookshelf on his right and manipulated the modern edition of Dante' s Divine Comedy. A whole section of the huge piece of furniture started to swivel. As soon as there was enough space for him to pass with his load, he entered the secret room and closed the passage behind him. He laid down the corpse on a large table. "My dear friend, he you were not so dead, I would suggest you a diet."
Hannibal changed into the policeman' s uniform. He used some linen he had prepared to look fatter. He looked at the result in the mirror. He put the cap forward in order to hide his face: that would do. He checked the car keys were in his pocket and went out the same way he had come in.
On his way to the patrol car he passed two of his employees who did not seem to recognize him. He stepped into the car and left the reserve. The guard at the entrance was an ex cop. He saluted the man he thought was his previous boss. Hannibal waved back and smiled. That would be an excellent witness.
He drove about twenty miles and hid the car. Then he changed back to his own clothes and took the direction of the bus stop he had previously spotted. He left the bus on the western limit of the reserve. He knew a hole in the fence that would enable him to enter unnoticed. It was probably the same passage the poachers were using to penetrate into the reserve. He would have to do something about it, but for the moment, he found it very convenient.
An hour later, Hannibal was back in his house. He went upstairs to take a shower and change.
Back in his study, he sat at his table, as quiet as a cat. His plan had gone smooth. He had no reason to worry. He saw that Catala had come back from town because the newspapers the young man daily bought for him were on his desk. The Washington Post was easy to find, but he had had to make a special order to receive the National Tattler as well. He had a lazy look at the Tattler headlines and decided for the Post first. As every day in the last two years or so, he jumped directly to the ad section. As every day in the last two years there was nothing for him in it.
He put the paper back on the table and closed his eyes. In the first weeks he had desperately hoped Clarice would call for him. Then he had anxiously feared she would ask him to stop writing to her. None of this happened. With time, he had concluded she was fine, reconstructing her own life as he had urged her to do. And as no counter order had come, he had gone on writing to her.
The letter Catala had posted that morning was containing an extra gift. After all, it was Christmas ... He had bought the little golden necklace in Florence, so long ago. The cameo he had attached to it was all he had left from his own mother. The fine figures of his mother appeared to him. She was so delicate, and yet so strong. Clarice looked so strong, and yet she was so fragile inside. For a second he wondered what Mischa would have been like if she had had a chance to grow up.
Hannibal suddenly opened his eyes and shook his head. He knew he was drowning again in his memories and he could not afford it right now. He had Mr. Ramala to attend to. He got up and went to the library.
Catala had arrived at 8:00 pm sharp. Hannibal had a shock when he opened the door: the young man was wearing a black tuxedo which, even if it was not exactly as elegant as Lecter' s one, would have opened the gates of the Kambuyu good society to the kenyan without any problem. Till now, Hannibal had only seen him in his bush clothes and had not realized how classy his companion could be.
" - Catala ! You're so elegant !
- Thank you, Dottore. I thought this was more suitable.
- Yeah ... it sure is. Please, come in. you are just in time. I appreciate that."
Catala gave him a broad smile as an answer, and the contrast of his white teeth with his dark brown skin made him look very attractive. Although he had never seen him with a woman, Hannibal suspected Catala had broken the heart of many of them.
" - Dinner will be ready soon. Would you like a drink before ?
- I don't drink alcohol, dottore ... It's bad for the concentration.
- Of course. But I do hope you will taste the wine tonight. The Château d'Yquem is remarkable. If you have to try only one in your life, it must be this one. Besides, you're not on duty tonight.
- I will try, then.
- I have some orange juice, here. Or maybe a soda ?
- Juice will be fine. Thank you, dottore."
Hannibal helped a glass of home-made juice for his guest and a cup of champaign for himself.
" - Merry Christmas, Catala.
- Merry Christmas, dottore."
They drank in silence. The young man seemed perfectly calm and comfortable. Hannibal liked that, even if he understood there would not be much talking that night - it was simply not in the man' s nature. So, he was surprised when Catala was the one to break the silence.
" - I did not see the maids or any employee when I arrived, dottore.
- That's right. I gave everybody leave for tonight. Even to the cook ... so, I'm afraid you will have to rely on me for the food. I hope you don't mind.
- Not at all, dottore." He gave him his bright smile again. Hannibal laughed.
" - Good !". Then after a while: "I want you to know I really appreciate you accepted my invitation, Catala. I was not feeling like spending this evening alone. I hope I did not interfere with any plans you had. People generally like to spend Christmas with their family.
- I don't have a family, dottore.
- Sorry for that. I hope I did not break the heart of a young woman you had foreseen to take to dinner ..."
Catala burst out laughing. It was the first time Hannibal ever saw him laugh. "No, dottore. She is having Christmas with her own family. They never really appreciated me, you know. So I was rather relieved to have a good reason not to go."
Hannibal smiled.
" - Happy to have been of assistance." he said. "So, you have a girlfriend, haven't you ? What's her name, if I may ask ?
- You may, dottore. Mahany is her name.
- Beautiful name.
- Yes. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman." Hannibal was pleasantly surprised that Catala was so willing to speak tonight. He truly liked the man. After all, this evening could be charming. Catala went on: "She is much more intelligent then me. She is going to the university, you know. She wants to be a doctor.
- Really ! Where does she study ?
- In Nairobi. She will finish next year. We will get married as soon as she comes back.
- Congratulations. So, she will practice here ?
- Yes. She will replace old doctor Merengy after he retires.
- So ... I can hope to keep you with me after your wedding ?"
Catala looked puzzled.
" - Of course, dottore !
- Good. Now, if you excuse me, I must leave you for a few minutes to attend to our dinner. Why don't you choose some music for us ?"
Hannibal got up and indicated the stereo. Catala nodded.
Hannibal went to the kitchen. It had been a while since he had cooked brain and he did want to honor Mr. Ramala' s one as it should. He checked the sauce pan: everything looked fine. Then he opened the oven and took out the vole-au-vent. They were glazed to perfection. He removed their little hat and started filling them with the sauce. It smelled good. As he was about to complete the task, he heard the first chords of the Goldberg Variations by Bach coming from the dinning room. "Umh, the boy had a good taste ..." he thought.
Before leaving the kitchen, he put back the roast meat in the oven and checked the vegetables. Timing was perfect. When he came back to the dinning room with the first course and the wine, Catala was standing by the window, apparently lost in his thoughts.
" - Excellent choice." Hannibal said after having put the dish and bottle on the table. Catala looked at him, confused. "The music, I mean.
- Oh ... Yes, I love Bach.
- I did not expect you would be a connoisseur of classical music.
- I love the piano. I actually started learning to play when I was a kid. But then I had to stop.
- Really ? What happened ?"
Catala turned back to the window without answering. For a moment, Hannibal feared the young man would shut himself away again. "I'm sorry, Catala. I have a tendency to be too curious sometimes. Please, forgive me ... Should we start ? I'm afraid the vole-au-vent would get cold otherwise."
Catala went to sit a the table and gave a shy smile to his host. Hannibal poured some wine in their glasses and sat down too. "Bon appetit." he said. "Bon appetit a vous, dottore" Catala replied. His french accent was almost perfect. Hannibal was more and more intrigued.
They started eating their meal.
" - It is really delicious, dottore.
- Thank you, Catala." The young man took a sip of wine.
" - And the wine surely measures up."
Hannibal nodded. They remained silent for another ten minutes, savoring the food and the drink. Hannibal was the one to break the silence this time.
" - You know I have a piano here.
- I know, dottore. I've heard you play sometimes. You are very talented.
- Thank you. I thought ... if you want to practice from time to time, you can use it. And ... if you feel like it, I would be glad to offer my services."
Catala stared at him in disbelief. But the touch of envy in the man' s eyes did not escape Hannibal.
" - That is very generous of you, dottore. But I'm afraid I have forgotten almost everything now. I haven't played since at least fifteen years. I don't imagine I could be a suitable student.
- Well, we all have to start at the beginning, don't we ? Really, that would not bother me at all.
- I ... " he chuckled. "I would love it, dottore.
- Then it's all setup. Let's drink to that."
Hannibal raised his glass and they both had a mouthful of wine. Hannibal stood up and took their plates to the kitchen. When he came back with the second course, Catala had finished his glass and looked much more relaxed. They went on with the dinner and a light conversation about women and Catala' s fiancee, which soon appeared to be his favorite subject. Hannibal was mainly listening to his companion, who seemed inexhaustible as far as singing the praises of young Mahany was concerned. At the end of the meal, Hannibal stood up and went back to the table with a little cigar box.
" - Do you mind my smoking ?" he asked.
" - No, dottore.
- Would you like one ?"
The young man hesitated for a second and took one of the brown cigar the doctor was offering. Hannibal observed him as he cut the end of it. No doubt about it, Catala had had an education far beyond the classical kenyan village one. Hannibal lit his cigar and exhaled the smoke slowly.
"What about you, dottore ? There is a woman too, isn't there ?" The question startled Hannibal. He stared intensely at his guest whose face slightly reddened. But Catala did not break the look. Hannibal had no idea why, but he felt comfortable with the young man. There was something special about him, something that made him willing to talk.
" - There is.
- But she is not here, is she ?
- No, Catala. She is not. She is far away.
- The letters ..." he paused, as if unsure he could go on with impunity, but then he made his mind. "The letters you ask me to post, they are for her, aren't they ?"
Hannibal smiled.
" - I'm sorry, dottore. I shouldn't have asked.
- It's all right, Catala. Don't worry ... Yes, the letters are for her ... Her name is Clarice.
- And you love her.
- I do. More than anything else in the world ... More than my own life.
...
- Doesn't she love you back ?
- ... I don't know, Catala. I don't know. And I'm not sure she knows herself.
- Is this why you are sad tonight ?
- Maybe."
There were a few minutes of uneasy silence. Dottore Speranza seemed completely elsewhere, lost in his own world. Catala was afraid he had gone too far. He had loved working for the dottore this past year. Speranza was always courteous with his employees and he never beaten them. That was another story in the farm where Catala had worked previously. Additionally, the man seemed to trust him. And that feeling was new for Catala. And now this dinner ...
Hannibal finally came back to reality. The concern on his companion' s face made him smile. "Sorry, Catala. I'm afraid I lost contact for a while. Would you like a coffee ?". Catala nodded. Hannibal went to the kitchen to prepare the coffee. As he was manipulating the percolator, his thoughts came back to what had just happened. He could not believe he had talked about Clarice to a man he hardly knew. But yet, he was not worried. For some reasons, he knew Catala would keep it for him. What was it with this man that was so familiar to the good doctor ? He had to find out.
He came back with a tray. "Let's have the coffee in the sitting room, we'll be more comfortable." Catala followed him and they settled in two big brown leather armchairs. Hannibal handed the young man a cup of strong italian coffee.
" - Catala, do you mind if I ask you a personal question ? You're not obliged to answer, of course. If you think I am indiscreet, just tell me.
- Go ahead, dottore.
- Well, I must confess you intrigued me tonight, my friend. The tuxedo, first, then the piano, your french, which sounds almost perfect, and your manners ... All that indicate a high level education ...".
Catala took a few seconds before answering.
" - Something you would not expect from a body guard, would you ?" There was a small trace of agressivity in his voice. Hannibal smiled.
" - You're much more than a body guard to me, Catala. And I think you know it.
...
- I was not born in Kambuyu. I am from the north of the country. My family was an important one there. My father wanted the best education for his children, and he had the means to get it. He appointed an english tutor for me. And a french music professor ... He took us to Italy once. And though I was only four years old, he had me visit all the museums of Roma." He smiled at the memory, but his smile rapidly faded.
...
" - What happened ?" Hannibal asked for the second time in the evening. The young man sighed.
" - My family belonged to the Habaru ethnic group. We were a minority in the north ... One morning, a gang of the Semifu group entered our estate ... They started massacring all the servants first, even the ones from their own ethnic group. They considered them as traitors because they were serving the enemy ... us ... They locked us in the cellar, but we could still hear the screaming ... Me, my parents and my little sister, Marina."
Hannibal Lecter' s heart skipped a few beats when he heard Catala mention his sister.
" - How old was she ?" he couldn't help asking. His face was as pale as chalk.
" - Marina was two years old. My parents had given her an italian name, because they thought it had more class. I was named after my grandfather. He was a warrior. I was only six years old, but I understood perfectly what was happening."
Catala' s eyes were shining. He was looking in the void while the memories were coming up to his conscience. He took a deep breath and went on:
"When they had finished with the servants, their chief came to us with a few of his men ... They took my mother first ... He cut her throat ... in front of us ... It was the first time I ever saw my father crying ... They started beating him ... three of them ... He was crying, but I know it was not for the physical pain ... My mother was everything to him."
Hannibal shivered as his own memories were surfacing. He shook his head strongly: he could not let them out, not now.
"Then they took me and my sister upstairs ... I knew they would not spare us ... They just wanted to play with us before killing us ... She was only two years old ... She could not understand ... She was looking at me as if I could explain, but how could I ... They raped me first ... Their chief, and then his cousin ... They though I was worn out after that, so their attention slackened for a brief moment. I profited by it: I took Marina in my arms and I started running ... I ran as fast as I could, but she was heavy, so heavy for me ... So, I put her on my back and told her to hold on my neck ... She was very brave ... She was scared to death but she did not she a tear, and shed did what I told her ... I ran ... As fast as my legs could run."
Hannibal did not need the young man to continue to know the end of the story. Neither did he want to hear it. But he could not interrupt him either.
"I heard the shot of the riffle ... And I felt the little arms release the pressure on my neck ... I tried to grab her but I failed and she fell on the floor without a sound ... I knew she was dead, but I had to look ... She was lying on the floor, her eyes closed ... She was smiling ... The others were getting closer, I could hear them ... So, I ran away ... And I left her."
Hannibal slowly got closer to the young man. Catala was sitting straight in the armchair. He was looking in front of him at nothing in particular and seemed to have forgotten the presence of his employer. His eyes were feverish. Hannibal moved behind him and put his hands on Catala' s shoulder. The contact made the younger man chill. He bent his head and tears started rolling freely on his cheeks.
Hannibal started massaging the shoulders but did not say a word. He was unable to speak. The doors of his memory palace were cracking as the memories of his own childhood were trying to come out and invade his mind. He did not want to let them out, but he had to use all his mental energy to keep the doors closed. Even for a man like Hannibal Lecter, control has its limits. He heard the screaming of Mischa and closed his eyes. Though his body was seemingly calm, the inside of his skull was a real battle field. Both men remained like that for a few minutes, which appeared an eternity for each of them.
The sobbing of his companion brought Hannibal back to the reality.
" - It's gonna be all right, Catala. I understand ...
- How could you ...
- I understand." Hannibal took a deep breath. "Believe me, I do."
Now Hannibal knew why he had felt so close to Catala. The young man progressively calmed down and they spent the rest of the evening listening to the music and talking about light topics, as light as possible, as far away from the tragedy as possible.
It was half past two when Catala finally left and Hannibal went to bed.
It was dark. So dark. He could hear her voice but could not tell where it was coming from. Hannibal was running in the corridors, violently opening all the doors he saw, but she was not there. "Hannibal, help me." Clarice' s voice was ringing in his mind. He shouted in the dark: "Clarice, where are you ? Tell me where you are !"
But Clarice did not seem to hear him. "You said you would help me. You said you would always be there for me. But you lied to me."
The voice sounded desperate. But no matter how long and how fast Hannibal was running, it never seemed to be closer. "Help me !"
Hannibal woke up screaming. He sat straight in his bed. It took a while before his breathing came back to normal. He looked around him. The sheets were torn out on his bed. Sweat was covering his face and his chest. He shivered. A nightmare ... It was just another nightmare ...
It had been months he had not had one. The emotions of the evening had provoked this one. He shook his head.
He missed her. He missed her so much. But he had made a promise and he would not break it.
To be continued. Thanks for reading. Reviews welcome ...
Absolut.