Disclaimer: The
characters of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling (as well as anyone
you may recognize) belong to Thomas Harris, not to me. But they
are so great I couldn't resist borrowing them for a while. I will turn
them back when I've finished. No copyright
infringement intended. No profit. I'm harmless and broke ... So don't
sue me.
A/N: Thanks a lot to all reviewers, past present and future. You make the 'white page torture' worth it.
Chapter 9
The door opened slowly and a ray of sun lazily passed the doorstep of his cell. Hannibal raised his head. It was the first time they came to visit him at daylight. A man entered carrying a tray and pulling a chair. It was not 'bad-breath', but the boss. He put the tray on the bed and sat on the chair. "How are you doing today, Mr. Mc Namara ?" he asked. Hannibal evaluated the situation.
" - Hmm ..." the man went on. "Don't let stupid ideas come to your mind. My friend is just outside and will not hesitate to kill you. I'm afraid he is a little bit spiteful and still resents you for his ear.
- I'm better.
- Good. You see, today you have the right to a good breakfast."
Hannibal did not answer. He had not slept much and was feeling weak, but all his senses were as sharp as a knife. He tried to guess what this change in their habits meant but could not figure it out. However, he was certain the man would soon enlighten him.
"Thank you." he said. He sat up on his bed and took the tray. He took a sip of coffee and looked at the man on the chair.
" - What do I owe this favor to ?
- Hmm. I just wanted to have a little chit-chat, between men of good will ..." His smile was the one of a wild animal watching his prey. Cold and cruel. "You don't mind talking with me, do you ?
- No ... I don't think I have the choice anyway. You seem to be on the right side of the gun.
- That's right. I am happy you understand that."
Hannibal took a bite of the toasts that had been prepared for him and waited for the rest of the conversation. The man stared at him for a few seconds before he went on. His voice was sweet, but nevertheless full of unspoken threat.
" - Tomorrow will be a great day, do you know that ?
- Why is it so ?
- Well, tomorrow your dear son will bring us what we asked for. Then, as all good things must come to an end, we will have to part, each of us going back to his own life."
Hannibal glanced at him before turning back to his breakfast. It let pass a few seconds before he answered.
" - Why would you let me go ?
- Good question !" The man chuckled. "I mean, it's legitimate you ask it. You see, to be totally honest with you, what I am primarily interested in is the money. I don't really give a damn whether you live or not.
- It sounds logical.
- But, in the same time, I want to be able to enjoy my money in peace. If I kill you, sooner or later someone will realize you have disappeared. And then there will be some investigations ... I will have to be very careful ... If you live, I am convinced I can trust you for keeping our little business secret.
- Why would I ?"
The man chuckled again.
" - I think you know better than that, Mr. Mc Namara. You appear to me as an intelligent man. I am sure you know that I know who you are, where you live ... and where your dear son lives too. Believe me, no police department could efficiently protect you if I really wanted to get to you ... Some have tried in the past, and they failed ... Even without the four millions I will take from you, you will still be able to live a comfortable life. That is ... if you don't have to wonder if I'm not going to jump out of the dark corner every time you go out, of course.
- I see. So, I should just forget about all this and go on as if nothing had ever happened ?
- It seems the more reasonable thing to do. But of course, the choice is yours ..."
Hannibal raised his face again and this time locked gaze with the man. They stayed like this for almost a minute before Hannibal first talked.
" - If I ... 'behave', do I have your word that I will never hear from you again ?
- You've got it. But do not underestimate my determination, Mr. Mc Namara. If I sense anything unusual tomorrow, I will not hesitate one second to shoot you.
- I have no doubt of it.
- Do what I tell you, and you might grow old. Do anything foolish, and you will not get to your next birthday. Do I make myself clear ?
- Perfectly clear."
Willinger stood up and headed for the door. He was about to disappear when Hannibal' s voice raised in the dark. "If anything happens to my son," he said, his voice as calm as a voice can be, "you'd better kill me right away. Or you won't live another day."
The man did not answer. He stood there a couple of seconds, then he left and locked the door behind him.
Hannibal took a deep breath. His last intervention was for sure not the smartest thing to do, but something had pushed him to say the words anyway. He had absolutely no faith in the man' s words. This one seemed cold blooded, but his companions were much too unstable to keep this kind of promises.
He knew what he had to do. He was aware his chances were almost non existent and that he would most probably not survive it. But they would not get to Jason. And that was the only thing that mattered.
Now he needed to relax, and prepare. Hannibal laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. He passed the darkest rooms of his memory palace without even giving them a look, until he reached the sand beach of some tropical island. A little boy was playing on the shore, jumping in the waves and shouting with pleasure each time water came crashing on his legs. He was maybe seven or eight years old, and had yet no idea of how ugly the world could be. Sitting on the sand a few yards away, a man was watching him intensely. The boy had found a family at the age at which his father had lost his. His life was ahead of him, as promising as a life could be.
This son was the most unexpected gift of life, a gift he knew he was not deserving ... The only thing on this earth Hannibal Lecter knew he could never betray.
Clarice checked again the dining room and the kitchen, but Jason was nowhere to be found. It was 7:30 already and she was ready to go. She glanced through the kitchen window and tried to locate him in the garden. No one.
She sighed. She knew he had got up for he had prepared some coffee. Where on earth could he be ?
Her patience was getting thinner. She was about to go back upstairs when she heard like a door opening behind her. She turned to where the sound was coming from. The last cupboard on the left wall was slowly revolving. Instinctively, she put her hand to her side, where she knew her gun was. The next few seconds seemed to last like hours, tension slowly getting hold on her.
The wall was still moving. When the opening reached about one foot, Clarice took her gun in her hand, and pointed it at the cupboard. She slowly removed the security. The muscles of her forearms hardened when she saw something coming out, then a man slipped into the kitchen. "Freeze !" she shouted. The man stopped, apparently as surprised as her, hands up.
It took Clarice five long seconds before she could recognize him. "Jason ! What the hell ...". The young man chuckled and put his hands down. "Please, agent Starling, don't shoot me." he said. "I haven't done anything wrong yet."
The transformation was incredible. Clarice was sure she would not have recognized him if she had passed near him in the street. He was wearing blond hair, a little bit too long and the skin of his face was tanned, as if he had been working outside for days. The shape of his face was distorted by some cotton he had put inside his jaws. He was wearing dirty coveralls and a cap was resting on his wig ... Only his eyes were betraying him.
" - Jason! You almost gave me a heart attack ! What the hell are you doing ?
- Well, I thought that if the kidnappers have been preparing the thing, as you said, they probably know what I look like. So, I figured out it would be safer to modify a bit my appearance before we go to Greyson. Just in case ...
- Smart move.
- Thank you. From your expression, I guess I managed pretty well, didn't I ?
- You bet you did."
Clarice finally relaxed and put her gun back in its case. She gave him a broad smile. "OK, one last thing to do and then we can go." He followed her to Lecter' s study, a slightly mocking smile still on his face, and watch her take a little electronic device from her bag. Then she went to the desk and took the phone.
" - What's that ?" he asked.
" - I ... borrowed it from the FBI. It will deviate the calls received on this line to your cell phone. I don't believe they will call today, but who knows ...
- Good."
Five minutes later they were outside . "I'll drive if you don't mind." she said when they arrived to the van. He handed her the keys and they settled inside.
The sun was shining. They both remained silent for a while, each of them lost in his own thoughts. Clarice glanced at him.
" - You're really gifted, you know. I would never have recognized you in the street.
- Thank you. My father taught me that.
- You had the most expert teacher, I guess.
- He's got experience."
Clarice smiled.
" - He sure does ... Jason, do you mind if I ask you a question ?
- No. Shoot.
- ... Jason Mc Namara is not your real name, is it ?
- Not exactly ... But my first name is Jason ... My real last name is Lecter."
Clarice couldn't help a disbelieving glance.
" - Are you kidding ?
- Nope. Though obviously it is not the name I usually go by ... For obvious reasons.
- I believe you.
- ... I was not born in United States, actually. My father sent my mother to Switzerland for the last months of her pregnancy. The name 'Lecter' was not so famous there. And my father had been caged anyway. She delivered there and I was registered as ... Promise me you won't laugh.
- I won't.
- I was born Jason Marcus Aurelius Lecter."
Clarice could not help chuckling.
" - Clarice, you promised !
- I know, I know ... I'm sorry.
- Umh. He used to call me Marcus when he was mad at me when I was a kid. Just to torture me.
- Your father is a cruel man." she laughed again.
- Yeah.
- What happened next ?
- ... He provided my mother with all necessary false identity documents for me, including a birth certificate from Miami. Everything under my mother' s last name.
...
- You don't have to tell me, Jason.
- Well, it is not so important now. And I guess you would find it anyway. Jason Marcus Ionescu. My mother comes from Romania.
- Please to meet you, Jason Ionescu ... Don't worry, I will not use it against you ... or your mother.
- I know."
They were arriving at Greyson. It was a small country town as there were so many in the country. 3178 inhabitants, so said the sign. Main street, with a drugstore, two grocery stores and a little supermarket. A gas station and four or five bars. Clarice parked the van in front of the post office. They both stepped out.
" - Where do we start ?" Jason asked as soon as he was out of the car.
" - Well, I would not be against another breakfast. What do you say ?"
He nodded. They crossed the street and entered the nearest bar. Charly's. They went to sit at one of the tables. They had the choice. The few customers were all leaning against the counter. Nobody had a look at them.
After a few minutes, an middle-aged woman came to their table with two glasses of water. "What can I bring you ?" she asked. They ordered some coffee and scrambled eggs.
They ate their breakfast rapidly and Clarice asked for the bill. She gave the woman a twenty dollars bill and waited for the change.
" - Maybe you can help me ..." she looked at the badge on the woman' s blouse." ... Jackie ?
- Tell me.
- I was supposed to meet one of my friend here this morning. But he doesn't seem to be here." Clarice had taken back her West Virginia accent without any effort. "Harry Menendez is the name. Maybe you've seen him ?
- Sorry but I don't know anyone by this name.
- Yeah ... Problem is I don't have his address and we were suppose to meet here.
- I'm afraid I can't help you.
- Wait ... ".
Clarice took out the picture of Menendez from her wallet and showed it to the waitress. "This photo is a little bit old but ... Well, Harry is not someone you easily forget." The woman took the picture and looked at it. Then she gave it back to Clarice and shook her head. "Never seen this man around. Sorry." Clarice put the picture back in her wallet. "Never mind. I probably got the name of the bar wrong. Thanks anyway."
Clarice and Jason stood up and went to the door. "Nice accent ..." he whispered. "Yeah. Your father liked it too."
" - OK." Clarice said when they were out. "We don't really have time to elaborate a strategy. So, I suggest we use the direct method.
- Show the picture around.
- Yes. We're at about the center of town here. You go right and I go left. We meet at the car when we're finished. In case one of us get something, we use the cell phone. All right ?
- All right."
They parted.
The morale inside the van was everything but high. They had spent the whole morning in the streets of Greyson without any tangible result. Menendez' face had seemed a little bit familiar to a few people but none of them had been able to give them more information.
After lunch, they had taken the car and started exploring the surroundings. They had stopped at each shop and gas station they had found, but there again, nothing they could use.
The night was falling when they entered Buckingham, a little village five miles from Greyson. "I need a coffee." Clarice said. Jason did not answer. She was not even sure he'd been listening to her. She stopped the car in front of what seemed the only bar in town. She stepped out and stretched. Jason followed her to the pavement.
They were about to enter in the bar when the ring of a telephone startled them both. "It's mine." Jason whispered. A rush of adrenaline ran in Clarice' s veins. Jason took his cell phone and answered. He shook his head almost immediately. "Hi mom, how are you ?".
Clarice sighed and made a few steps to give him privacy. She leaned on the wall and waited for the end of Jason' s conversation. She had a look at the street. About ten yards from her a young woman was pushing a stroller. Five kids were noisily following her. The elder must have been eight, not more, and the difference between each brother or sister was about one year. My God ... Clarice thought ... That's a family ! She felt the familiar twinge of regret she could feel every time she was thinking of a family. She shook her head as if she could get rid of her thoughts so easily.
A car stopped to let the woman and the kids cross and then went to park in front of Clarice, on the other side of the street. Clarice was looking but her thoughts were elsewhere. She was desperately trying to have an idea. Of course, tomorrow at latest there would be the release of the ransom, and a possibility to do something. But she knew that without preparation it was very risky, and their chances would be thin.
A man got out of the car and headed to the grocery store. A real cowboy, she thought. So much like the ones in her hometown. A large stetson was set on the man' s head and was partly covering his face. Clarice' s eyes slid to his car. She had always loved car, and that one was for sure an interesting specimen. You could probably go wherever you wanted with this ...
Clarice froze in disbelief before she could finish her mental sentence. "Jesus !" she said aloud. She feverishly took a paper from the back pocket of her jeans and read her notes, just to be sure. The model was the same and the man she had seen enter in the grocery store corresponded to the description they had of Menendez. Even if she had not seen his face, she was sure ... She could feel it ... "My God ! It's him ..."
"Jason !" she said loud enough for her companion to hear. Jason raised his face to her. The tone of her voice made it clear it was important. He came closer. "All right, mom. Listen, I've got to go now ... No, I'm fine. I'm just late ... Yes, I'll call you back tomorrow, OK ? Bye mom.".
He turned to Clarice.
" - She must have a sixth sense." he said. "She ...
- Get in the car.
- What is it ?
- Jason, get in the car !"
The way she had said that did not leave space for disobedience. He followed her inside and closed the door.
" - Clarice, what's the matter ?
- The Ranger Rover behind ... No !" she shouted as Jason started to turn back. "Look at the rear mirror."
He did, and she could see the realization on his face.
" - Where is he ?" his voice was just a murmur.
" - In the grocery store. He just entered.
- What are we doing now ?
- We wait. And then we follow.
- But if ...
- It's your father we're looking for, Jason. Not Menendez. We have to find where they keep him.
- You're right. I'm sorry.
- It's OK."
About ten minutes passed before Menendez came out of the shop. He went directly to his car and went back in the direction he had come from. Clarice started the engine, waited till the Range Rover was far enough, and followed it.
They soon left Buckingham and turned into a small country road. After a few miles, the road became almost straight, which made Clarice' s task more difficult. She could not take the risk to be seen, and so had to leave enough distance between them and Menendez. On the other hand, this was their one chance and she did not want to let it pass.
Jason was registering their itinerary on their map. After about ten miles, the Range Rover changed direction.
" - On the left." Jason said.
" - I've seen it ..." The tension had made her tone harsh. "Sorry ...
- It's OK.
- Do you know where we are ?
- Yes."
They took on the left. The road was narrowing and they were entering a wood. The visibility suddenly decreased and Clarice accelerated to try to reduce the distant. They lost eye contact with Menendez for a while, but then saw his car again. Clarice managed to keep the pace for another five minutes, but the road was getting worse and worse. And the van was protesting each time its wheels encountered a hole in the ground. She was obliged to reduce her speed. She knew Menendez was much better equipped for this kind of dirt tracks. She swore.
They lost sight again when the road went to a forty five degrees angle. There was a long straight line after the bend, but the Range Rover was no more there. "Can you see it ?" she asked Jason. He shook his head. "Shit ! Where is he ?".
She went on for a mile or so but Menendez was nowhere. She finally stopped the car by the side of the road. They had to face it, they had lost him. Clarice hit the steering wheel with the palm of her hands. Jason did not say a word and waited for her frustration to pass.
" - He can't be far." she finally whispered. "The son of a bitch can't have escaped us this way.
- He must have taken one of the side tracks. I can't think of anything else.
- Do you have something on the map ?
- No. These are too small to be there. But it must be in the last two miles. There must not be more than two or three possibilities. It's worth trying ...
- We have nothing else anyway."
She started again the engine and did a U-turn. She went slowly down the road.
" - Must be on the left." she said. "In the direction of the woods. We would have seen him if he had turned in the fields." Jason nodded.
" - Did you see anything ? I didn't.
- No. But I was not really paying attention."
They were both staring at the woods, when suddenly they saw it. They jumped on their seat at the very same instant and Clarice started braking. A little path was going down on their left. No wonder they had not noticed it before. The entrance was masked by some bushes, and you really had to look for it to find it.
Clarice engaged their car on the path and went on slowly. After a while, the path went to a fork. She stepped out of the car and started to look for tracks on the floor. "Right." she simply said when she joined Jason inside. They went on for two hundred yards.
Jason saw it first. "There !" he shouted. She looked at the direction he was indicating. On their right, about fifty yards from the road, was an old farm. It was obvious it had not been used for agriculture for a long long time. In the middle of the courtyard was a brand new Range Rover.
Clarice sighed. They had them. She took the car backward for a few yards and parked it in the bushes on the other side of the road. They stepped out and went hiding behind a large tree. They had a perfect view on the farm but it was almost certain nobody could see them.
" - Clarice, we've found them ! I can't believe we've found them.
- Yes.
- What do we do now ?"
Excitement was clear in the young man's voice. Clarice remained silent for a moment.
" - We wait." she said.
" - What ?
- We wait, and we observe.
- But ...
- We have to know more, Jason. We don't even know how many they are. What do you suggest ? We just break in and shout 'we got you' ?
- No ... Of course not, but ... I don't know, I just thought that ..."
She put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry." she said softly "They won't do him any harm. Not until they get the money." He nodded.
Jason settled more comfortably and started observing. Clarice went back to the car and took a notebook she had brought with her, and the map. Then she covered the van with some branches and leaves to hide it better. She went back to their hiding place and started sketching the farm and its surroundings.
Nothing significant happened for quite a while. Menendez went out about one hour after their arrival. He went to the car and picked something out of the trunk. Then he went back inside.
Another man went out later. From his general appearance it could have been Willinger. But they were too far and the night was too dark for them to see his face.
Clarice stood up. "I'm gonna have a look around." she said. "You wait for me here." Before Jason could protest, she was gone.
It was almost 3:00 am when she came back.
" - Come on, Jason. We go home now.
- What ?
- They won't move tonight. And we need some equipment ... and some rest. Come on, we know where they are now. We'll come back in the morning.
- OK. Did you find anything interesting ?
- There is another access by the North. I don't know where it comes from. We'll have to find it on the map. It seems safer on that side. We can almost reach the house under the cover of the trees.
- Do you plan to try something here ?
- I don't know. But I prefer to be prepared.
...
- Clarice ...
- Yes ?
- I'm glad to have you on my side.
- ... You'll say that when we have your father."
They had not even done five miles when Jason fell asleep.
To be continued ... Thanks for reading. Reviews are as usual MOST welcome ...
Absolut.
A/N: Thanks a lot to all reviewers, past present and future. You make the 'white page torture' worth it.
Chapter 9
The door opened slowly and a ray of sun lazily passed the doorstep of his cell. Hannibal raised his head. It was the first time they came to visit him at daylight. A man entered carrying a tray and pulling a chair. It was not 'bad-breath', but the boss. He put the tray on the bed and sat on the chair. "How are you doing today, Mr. Mc Namara ?" he asked. Hannibal evaluated the situation.
" - Hmm ..." the man went on. "Don't let stupid ideas come to your mind. My friend is just outside and will not hesitate to kill you. I'm afraid he is a little bit spiteful and still resents you for his ear.
- I'm better.
- Good. You see, today you have the right to a good breakfast."
Hannibal did not answer. He had not slept much and was feeling weak, but all his senses were as sharp as a knife. He tried to guess what this change in their habits meant but could not figure it out. However, he was certain the man would soon enlighten him.
"Thank you." he said. He sat up on his bed and took the tray. He took a sip of coffee and looked at the man on the chair.
" - What do I owe this favor to ?
- Hmm. I just wanted to have a little chit-chat, between men of good will ..." His smile was the one of a wild animal watching his prey. Cold and cruel. "You don't mind talking with me, do you ?
- No ... I don't think I have the choice anyway. You seem to be on the right side of the gun.
- That's right. I am happy you understand that."
Hannibal took a bite of the toasts that had been prepared for him and waited for the rest of the conversation. The man stared at him for a few seconds before he went on. His voice was sweet, but nevertheless full of unspoken threat.
" - Tomorrow will be a great day, do you know that ?
- Why is it so ?
- Well, tomorrow your dear son will bring us what we asked for. Then, as all good things must come to an end, we will have to part, each of us going back to his own life."
Hannibal glanced at him before turning back to his breakfast. It let pass a few seconds before he answered.
" - Why would you let me go ?
- Good question !" The man chuckled. "I mean, it's legitimate you ask it. You see, to be totally honest with you, what I am primarily interested in is the money. I don't really give a damn whether you live or not.
- It sounds logical.
- But, in the same time, I want to be able to enjoy my money in peace. If I kill you, sooner or later someone will realize you have disappeared. And then there will be some investigations ... I will have to be very careful ... If you live, I am convinced I can trust you for keeping our little business secret.
- Why would I ?"
The man chuckled again.
" - I think you know better than that, Mr. Mc Namara. You appear to me as an intelligent man. I am sure you know that I know who you are, where you live ... and where your dear son lives too. Believe me, no police department could efficiently protect you if I really wanted to get to you ... Some have tried in the past, and they failed ... Even without the four millions I will take from you, you will still be able to live a comfortable life. That is ... if you don't have to wonder if I'm not going to jump out of the dark corner every time you go out, of course.
- I see. So, I should just forget about all this and go on as if nothing had ever happened ?
- It seems the more reasonable thing to do. But of course, the choice is yours ..."
Hannibal raised his face again and this time locked gaze with the man. They stayed like this for almost a minute before Hannibal first talked.
" - If I ... 'behave', do I have your word that I will never hear from you again ?
- You've got it. But do not underestimate my determination, Mr. Mc Namara. If I sense anything unusual tomorrow, I will not hesitate one second to shoot you.
- I have no doubt of it.
- Do what I tell you, and you might grow old. Do anything foolish, and you will not get to your next birthday. Do I make myself clear ?
- Perfectly clear."
Willinger stood up and headed for the door. He was about to disappear when Hannibal' s voice raised in the dark. "If anything happens to my son," he said, his voice as calm as a voice can be, "you'd better kill me right away. Or you won't live another day."
The man did not answer. He stood there a couple of seconds, then he left and locked the door behind him.
Hannibal took a deep breath. His last intervention was for sure not the smartest thing to do, but something had pushed him to say the words anyway. He had absolutely no faith in the man' s words. This one seemed cold blooded, but his companions were much too unstable to keep this kind of promises.
He knew what he had to do. He was aware his chances were almost non existent and that he would most probably not survive it. But they would not get to Jason. And that was the only thing that mattered.
Now he needed to relax, and prepare. Hannibal laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. He passed the darkest rooms of his memory palace without even giving them a look, until he reached the sand beach of some tropical island. A little boy was playing on the shore, jumping in the waves and shouting with pleasure each time water came crashing on his legs. He was maybe seven or eight years old, and had yet no idea of how ugly the world could be. Sitting on the sand a few yards away, a man was watching him intensely. The boy had found a family at the age at which his father had lost his. His life was ahead of him, as promising as a life could be.
This son was the most unexpected gift of life, a gift he knew he was not deserving ... The only thing on this earth Hannibal Lecter knew he could never betray.
Clarice checked again the dining room and the kitchen, but Jason was nowhere to be found. It was 7:30 already and she was ready to go. She glanced through the kitchen window and tried to locate him in the garden. No one.
She sighed. She knew he had got up for he had prepared some coffee. Where on earth could he be ?
Her patience was getting thinner. She was about to go back upstairs when she heard like a door opening behind her. She turned to where the sound was coming from. The last cupboard on the left wall was slowly revolving. Instinctively, she put her hand to her side, where she knew her gun was. The next few seconds seemed to last like hours, tension slowly getting hold on her.
The wall was still moving. When the opening reached about one foot, Clarice took her gun in her hand, and pointed it at the cupboard. She slowly removed the security. The muscles of her forearms hardened when she saw something coming out, then a man slipped into the kitchen. "Freeze !" she shouted. The man stopped, apparently as surprised as her, hands up.
It took Clarice five long seconds before she could recognize him. "Jason ! What the hell ...". The young man chuckled and put his hands down. "Please, agent Starling, don't shoot me." he said. "I haven't done anything wrong yet."
The transformation was incredible. Clarice was sure she would not have recognized him if she had passed near him in the street. He was wearing blond hair, a little bit too long and the skin of his face was tanned, as if he had been working outside for days. The shape of his face was distorted by some cotton he had put inside his jaws. He was wearing dirty coveralls and a cap was resting on his wig ... Only his eyes were betraying him.
" - Jason! You almost gave me a heart attack ! What the hell are you doing ?
- Well, I thought that if the kidnappers have been preparing the thing, as you said, they probably know what I look like. So, I figured out it would be safer to modify a bit my appearance before we go to Greyson. Just in case ...
- Smart move.
- Thank you. From your expression, I guess I managed pretty well, didn't I ?
- You bet you did."
Clarice finally relaxed and put her gun back in its case. She gave him a broad smile. "OK, one last thing to do and then we can go." He followed her to Lecter' s study, a slightly mocking smile still on his face, and watch her take a little electronic device from her bag. Then she went to the desk and took the phone.
" - What's that ?" he asked.
" - I ... borrowed it from the FBI. It will deviate the calls received on this line to your cell phone. I don't believe they will call today, but who knows ...
- Good."
Five minutes later they were outside . "I'll drive if you don't mind." she said when they arrived to the van. He handed her the keys and they settled inside.
The sun was shining. They both remained silent for a while, each of them lost in his own thoughts. Clarice glanced at him.
" - You're really gifted, you know. I would never have recognized you in the street.
- Thank you. My father taught me that.
- You had the most expert teacher, I guess.
- He's got experience."
Clarice smiled.
" - He sure does ... Jason, do you mind if I ask you a question ?
- No. Shoot.
- ... Jason Mc Namara is not your real name, is it ?
- Not exactly ... But my first name is Jason ... My real last name is Lecter."
Clarice couldn't help a disbelieving glance.
" - Are you kidding ?
- Nope. Though obviously it is not the name I usually go by ... For obvious reasons.
- I believe you.
- ... I was not born in United States, actually. My father sent my mother to Switzerland for the last months of her pregnancy. The name 'Lecter' was not so famous there. And my father had been caged anyway. She delivered there and I was registered as ... Promise me you won't laugh.
- I won't.
- I was born Jason Marcus Aurelius Lecter."
Clarice could not help chuckling.
" - Clarice, you promised !
- I know, I know ... I'm sorry.
- Umh. He used to call me Marcus when he was mad at me when I was a kid. Just to torture me.
- Your father is a cruel man." she laughed again.
- Yeah.
- What happened next ?
- ... He provided my mother with all necessary false identity documents for me, including a birth certificate from Miami. Everything under my mother' s last name.
...
- You don't have to tell me, Jason.
- Well, it is not so important now. And I guess you would find it anyway. Jason Marcus Ionescu. My mother comes from Romania.
- Please to meet you, Jason Ionescu ... Don't worry, I will not use it against you ... or your mother.
- I know."
They were arriving at Greyson. It was a small country town as there were so many in the country. 3178 inhabitants, so said the sign. Main street, with a drugstore, two grocery stores and a little supermarket. A gas station and four or five bars. Clarice parked the van in front of the post office. They both stepped out.
" - Where do we start ?" Jason asked as soon as he was out of the car.
" - Well, I would not be against another breakfast. What do you say ?"
He nodded. They crossed the street and entered the nearest bar. Charly's. They went to sit at one of the tables. They had the choice. The few customers were all leaning against the counter. Nobody had a look at them.
After a few minutes, an middle-aged woman came to their table with two glasses of water. "What can I bring you ?" she asked. They ordered some coffee and scrambled eggs.
They ate their breakfast rapidly and Clarice asked for the bill. She gave the woman a twenty dollars bill and waited for the change.
" - Maybe you can help me ..." she looked at the badge on the woman' s blouse." ... Jackie ?
- Tell me.
- I was supposed to meet one of my friend here this morning. But he doesn't seem to be here." Clarice had taken back her West Virginia accent without any effort. "Harry Menendez is the name. Maybe you've seen him ?
- Sorry but I don't know anyone by this name.
- Yeah ... Problem is I don't have his address and we were suppose to meet here.
- I'm afraid I can't help you.
- Wait ... ".
Clarice took out the picture of Menendez from her wallet and showed it to the waitress. "This photo is a little bit old but ... Well, Harry is not someone you easily forget." The woman took the picture and looked at it. Then she gave it back to Clarice and shook her head. "Never seen this man around. Sorry." Clarice put the picture back in her wallet. "Never mind. I probably got the name of the bar wrong. Thanks anyway."
Clarice and Jason stood up and went to the door. "Nice accent ..." he whispered. "Yeah. Your father liked it too."
" - OK." Clarice said when they were out. "We don't really have time to elaborate a strategy. So, I suggest we use the direct method.
- Show the picture around.
- Yes. We're at about the center of town here. You go right and I go left. We meet at the car when we're finished. In case one of us get something, we use the cell phone. All right ?
- All right."
They parted.
The morale inside the van was everything but high. They had spent the whole morning in the streets of Greyson without any tangible result. Menendez' face had seemed a little bit familiar to a few people but none of them had been able to give them more information.
After lunch, they had taken the car and started exploring the surroundings. They had stopped at each shop and gas station they had found, but there again, nothing they could use.
The night was falling when they entered Buckingham, a little village five miles from Greyson. "I need a coffee." Clarice said. Jason did not answer. She was not even sure he'd been listening to her. She stopped the car in front of what seemed the only bar in town. She stepped out and stretched. Jason followed her to the pavement.
They were about to enter in the bar when the ring of a telephone startled them both. "It's mine." Jason whispered. A rush of adrenaline ran in Clarice' s veins. Jason took his cell phone and answered. He shook his head almost immediately. "Hi mom, how are you ?".
Clarice sighed and made a few steps to give him privacy. She leaned on the wall and waited for the end of Jason' s conversation. She had a look at the street. About ten yards from her a young woman was pushing a stroller. Five kids were noisily following her. The elder must have been eight, not more, and the difference between each brother or sister was about one year. My God ... Clarice thought ... That's a family ! She felt the familiar twinge of regret she could feel every time she was thinking of a family. She shook her head as if she could get rid of her thoughts so easily.
A car stopped to let the woman and the kids cross and then went to park in front of Clarice, on the other side of the street. Clarice was looking but her thoughts were elsewhere. She was desperately trying to have an idea. Of course, tomorrow at latest there would be the release of the ransom, and a possibility to do something. But she knew that without preparation it was very risky, and their chances would be thin.
A man got out of the car and headed to the grocery store. A real cowboy, she thought. So much like the ones in her hometown. A large stetson was set on the man' s head and was partly covering his face. Clarice' s eyes slid to his car. She had always loved car, and that one was for sure an interesting specimen. You could probably go wherever you wanted with this ...
Clarice froze in disbelief before she could finish her mental sentence. "Jesus !" she said aloud. She feverishly took a paper from the back pocket of her jeans and read her notes, just to be sure. The model was the same and the man she had seen enter in the grocery store corresponded to the description they had of Menendez. Even if she had not seen his face, she was sure ... She could feel it ... "My God ! It's him ..."
"Jason !" she said loud enough for her companion to hear. Jason raised his face to her. The tone of her voice made it clear it was important. He came closer. "All right, mom. Listen, I've got to go now ... No, I'm fine. I'm just late ... Yes, I'll call you back tomorrow, OK ? Bye mom.".
He turned to Clarice.
" - She must have a sixth sense." he said. "She ...
- Get in the car.
- What is it ?
- Jason, get in the car !"
The way she had said that did not leave space for disobedience. He followed her inside and closed the door.
" - Clarice, what's the matter ?
- The Ranger Rover behind ... No !" she shouted as Jason started to turn back. "Look at the rear mirror."
He did, and she could see the realization on his face.
" - Where is he ?" his voice was just a murmur.
" - In the grocery store. He just entered.
- What are we doing now ?
- We wait. And then we follow.
- But if ...
- It's your father we're looking for, Jason. Not Menendez. We have to find where they keep him.
- You're right. I'm sorry.
- It's OK."
About ten minutes passed before Menendez came out of the shop. He went directly to his car and went back in the direction he had come from. Clarice started the engine, waited till the Range Rover was far enough, and followed it.
They soon left Buckingham and turned into a small country road. After a few miles, the road became almost straight, which made Clarice' s task more difficult. She could not take the risk to be seen, and so had to leave enough distance between them and Menendez. On the other hand, this was their one chance and she did not want to let it pass.
Jason was registering their itinerary on their map. After about ten miles, the Range Rover changed direction.
" - On the left." Jason said.
" - I've seen it ..." The tension had made her tone harsh. "Sorry ...
- It's OK.
- Do you know where we are ?
- Yes."
They took on the left. The road was narrowing and they were entering a wood. The visibility suddenly decreased and Clarice accelerated to try to reduce the distant. They lost eye contact with Menendez for a while, but then saw his car again. Clarice managed to keep the pace for another five minutes, but the road was getting worse and worse. And the van was protesting each time its wheels encountered a hole in the ground. She was obliged to reduce her speed. She knew Menendez was much better equipped for this kind of dirt tracks. She swore.
They lost sight again when the road went to a forty five degrees angle. There was a long straight line after the bend, but the Range Rover was no more there. "Can you see it ?" she asked Jason. He shook his head. "Shit ! Where is he ?".
She went on for a mile or so but Menendez was nowhere. She finally stopped the car by the side of the road. They had to face it, they had lost him. Clarice hit the steering wheel with the palm of her hands. Jason did not say a word and waited for her frustration to pass.
" - He can't be far." she finally whispered. "The son of a bitch can't have escaped us this way.
- He must have taken one of the side tracks. I can't think of anything else.
- Do you have something on the map ?
- No. These are too small to be there. But it must be in the last two miles. There must not be more than two or three possibilities. It's worth trying ...
- We have nothing else anyway."
She started again the engine and did a U-turn. She went slowly down the road.
" - Must be on the left." she said. "In the direction of the woods. We would have seen him if he had turned in the fields." Jason nodded.
" - Did you see anything ? I didn't.
- No. But I was not really paying attention."
They were both staring at the woods, when suddenly they saw it. They jumped on their seat at the very same instant and Clarice started braking. A little path was going down on their left. No wonder they had not noticed it before. The entrance was masked by some bushes, and you really had to look for it to find it.
Clarice engaged their car on the path and went on slowly. After a while, the path went to a fork. She stepped out of the car and started to look for tracks on the floor. "Right." she simply said when she joined Jason inside. They went on for two hundred yards.
Jason saw it first. "There !" he shouted. She looked at the direction he was indicating. On their right, about fifty yards from the road, was an old farm. It was obvious it had not been used for agriculture for a long long time. In the middle of the courtyard was a brand new Range Rover.
Clarice sighed. They had them. She took the car backward for a few yards and parked it in the bushes on the other side of the road. They stepped out and went hiding behind a large tree. They had a perfect view on the farm but it was almost certain nobody could see them.
" - Clarice, we've found them ! I can't believe we've found them.
- Yes.
- What do we do now ?"
Excitement was clear in the young man's voice. Clarice remained silent for a moment.
" - We wait." she said.
" - What ?
- We wait, and we observe.
- But ...
- We have to know more, Jason. We don't even know how many they are. What do you suggest ? We just break in and shout 'we got you' ?
- No ... Of course not, but ... I don't know, I just thought that ..."
She put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry." she said softly "They won't do him any harm. Not until they get the money." He nodded.
Jason settled more comfortably and started observing. Clarice went back to the car and took a notebook she had brought with her, and the map. Then she covered the van with some branches and leaves to hide it better. She went back to their hiding place and started sketching the farm and its surroundings.
Nothing significant happened for quite a while. Menendez went out about one hour after their arrival. He went to the car and picked something out of the trunk. Then he went back inside.
Another man went out later. From his general appearance it could have been Willinger. But they were too far and the night was too dark for them to see his face.
Clarice stood up. "I'm gonna have a look around." she said. "You wait for me here." Before Jason could protest, she was gone.
It was almost 3:00 am when she came back.
" - Come on, Jason. We go home now.
- What ?
- They won't move tonight. And we need some equipment ... and some rest. Come on, we know where they are now. We'll come back in the morning.
- OK. Did you find anything interesting ?
- There is another access by the North. I don't know where it comes from. We'll have to find it on the map. It seems safer on that side. We can almost reach the house under the cover of the trees.
- Do you plan to try something here ?
- I don't know. But I prefer to be prepared.
...
- Clarice ...
- Yes ?
- I'm glad to have you on my side.
- ... You'll say that when we have your father."
They had not even done five miles when Jason fell asleep.
To be continued ... Thanks for reading. Reviews are as usual MOST welcome ...
Absolut.