Title: Back in Baltimore – Chapter 3
Author: Pseudo-Morals (Axl of LL and the Studiolo)
Genre: Silence of the Lambs/Hannibal
Category: Drama
Rating: PG-13
Feedback: stardustsavant@hotmail.com
Archive?: Sure.
Summary: Clarice Starling is sent to Baltimore, to work with the Homicide detectives in finding Dr. Lecter.
Author's Notes: Ten chapters planned, only eight up as of 3/10/04.
BACK IN BALTIMORE – CHAPTER THREE
John Munch and Clarice Starling are on their way to do some real investigative work, the kind that she has always envisioned herself conducting, but never has had the chance to. Sure, she managed to question people in her pursuit of Jame Gumb, but she is quite sure that there is a difference between Belvedere witnesses and Baltimore ones.
Kay Howard had volunteered to accompany Starling, but she had chosen Munch for company, liking the man's slightly sarcastic affect and his clear, to-the-point way of looking at situations. Now, she takes two strides to his one, as they cross the busy intersection, heading for the Italian grocery.
She half-wishes that she has a badge, important-looking to inspire respect in the most reluctant interviewees, noting the flower boy's expression of compliance after Munch flashes the star.
"Your name," Starling says firmly, not a statement, but definitely not an inquiry, either.
"Tony," the boy replies, and Munch stifles a snort of amusement.
"You didn't have to ask," he murmurs, leaning in close, so that only Starling can hear. "Half the kids in this damn neighborhood are named Tony."
She smiles. Continues. "Tony, do you recognize this man?" She pulls the photograph of Lecter from her coat pocket, and offers it to the boy.
The Italian youth, no older than seventeen, takes the picture by it's edges, making absolutely certain not to smudge anything. Starling is struck with the sudden realization that he has, most likely, had to go through this procedure in the past. It would account for his care in handling the photograph, perhaps he has been reprimanded by other detectives for ruining 'evidence'.
"Yeah, sure. He came in here, what, like, a couple weeks ago. Maybe less. Bought roses, red ones."
John and Clarice exchange knowing looks.
"Was he carrying anything? Books, papers…?" This from Munch, who reaches to take the photograph back from Tony. The glossy paper is slid into his own coat, rather than Starling's.
"How the hell should I know?" The teenager's eyes flash with annoyance. "I don't remember, man. Listen, can I go, now? I've got work—"
"Maybe a quick trip down to the station would jog your memory," Starling says, feeling strangely as though she is quoting a cheesy cop show on television. However, John's hand against her shoulder-blade is reassuring. She's done right.
"Alright. Look, he had a bag with him."
"A bag?"
"Yeah, looked like the ones they give out at the liquor store on the corner."
"Tony?"
"What."
"You're not twenty-one."
Immediately, the boy is on the defensive. "Hey, I just go in there with my old man, I'm clean. And besides, you shouldn't even be…you're here about Dr. Fell."
"Who?" Starling's brow leaps up like an eager puppy.
"Dr. Fell, that's what he said his name was."
"And you didn't think to tell us that, Tony?" Munch looks less than pleased.
"Well, you didn't ask, did you?" He turns away, and when neither the detective nor the federal agent move to stop him, he leaves the pair at the curb and returns inside.
"Dr. Fell," Starling murmurs, eyes lifting to meet John Munch's. "Funny he should go by that."
"How so?"
"There's a kids' rhyme," Starling explains. "I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, The reason why I cannot tell; But this I know, and know full well, I do not like thee, Dr. Fell."
"That son of a…" begins Munch, and trails off when he remembers his present company.
"Bitch," Starling supplies helpfully.
John laughs. "Let's go talk to whoever's working at the liquor store, hm?"
"Right."
They start for the corner. A smile rests lazily on Starling's lips. Her eyes are alert, and she keeps up with the small talk, but the rhyme continues to run, stuck on a continuous loop, in the back of her mind.