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: Again, thanks for the reviews.
I actually had planned chapter 10 to be the last one, but I will try to take it a little further (this is for Clariz). Don't expect too much from me, though. We are near the end anyway.
Sorry about the cruelty of your dentist, Guber (most of them are). I won't answer your question now, though. But all good things to those who wait ... (Hey, I put this one in the 'suspense' category after all.)
BTW, a few lines in this chapter were copied/pasted from Steven Zaillian' s script. Thank you very much, Mr. Zaillian.
Chapter 10
Clarice abruptly woke up in the dark of her room. Her whole body was covered with sweat. She took a few deep breath to try to pace the beating of her heart. She finally relaxed a bit. It had only been a nightmare ... her nightmare ...
But why ? Why now ? Why had the lambs chosen this very moment to start screaming again ? She wiped away the sweat on her face. It was the first time in months that she was waking in the middle of the night. She thought she had made it. She thought she had finally silenced the lambs ... but they were still there, waiting in the dark, ready to show up on the first occasion. When she less expected them ...
She had a look at her watch. 5:15. Her hands were still slightly trembling. She sighed. She knew she would not find sleep again. She got up and went to the bathroom. The hot water of the shower running on her naked body helped to calm her. This was ridiculous. She knew it was not a lamb she would try to save today. Rather a wolf. And yet ...
Or was it the thought that she would see him again ? That she would again feel his gaze on her ... This look that seemed to read through her like from an open book ...
What next ? What if they managed to save him, what would she do then ? For the first time since she met Jason, the question she had deliberately avoided struck her in the face.
He was still a criminal. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. And she was still an FBI agent. Even if that did not mean the same thing it used to mean, it still counted for her. Logically, she could not let him go away. And yet, could she arrest him ? She would have the power. For the first time since they'd met, she would be able to stop him for real. But was this what she wanted ?
Of course it was. What else could she want ? Why the hell would she hesitate ? Had he shown any mercy for his victims ?
As the water drained her thoughts, she realized she had been thinking of this all the time. She had pretended she would care for this later, but now she knew she had only been fooling herself.
Catching Hannibal Lecter would be the coup of her career. Much better than all the Buffalo Bills of this earth. Because all these jerks who had set her down in Washington would have to publicly acknowledged they'd been wrong. They would have to bend before her, ask for her forgiveness. And that was priceless.
She would be immediately reinstated. She knew it. Would have a much better position that she could have dreamt of. She would have her career back, the career she knew she deserved, the one she had fought for for so many years.
Clarice closed her eyes and offered her face to the water. She did not want to cry. Not now. Not again ... Not for them, nor for what they had done to her.
Is this what she wanted ? This revenge on them ? To see them crawling at her feet ? Oh yes, that would be good, but was it what she really wanted ?
Then what was she doing here ? Alone ... Why hadn't she called the FBI for support ? Would have been much easier and much less risky. Then why had she told her boss she was ill and was taking a few days off ? She had not hesitated one second though. She knew it ... but yet she could not explain why.
The voice of Hannibal Lecter resounded in her head. This characteristic metallic sound amplified by the phone. "You serve the idea of order, Clarice - they don't. You believe in the oath you took - they don't. You feel it's your duty to protect the sheep - they don't. They don't like you because they're not like you. They're weak and unruly and believe in nothing."
She let the last words vanish in the steam of the shower. "How would you know, Dr. Lecter ?" she said aloud. "What do you know about order and oaths and duty ? And lambs ...".
She opened her eyes and rubbed her face. She stopped the water and staid there, standing in the shower, her hands wrapped around her shoulders, not moving until the air cooled and made her chill.
She sniffed and went out of the shower. She grabbed a towel and began to dry her body energetically. She was quickly recovering her senses but deep down inside she knew she had not come to a conclusion. And she knew she would not come to one now ... not before she saw him.
When she sees him, she would know. And she would make her decision.
Clarice was putting her bags in the back of the van when Jason appeared in the doorstep. He was looking rested, though he had not slept more than three hours. Much better than her anyway.
He went down the few steps and stood next to her. "So, what do we need ?" he asked. She turned to him and she saw in his eyes that her face had betrayed her emotions. But he did not say anything.
" - Everything we can," she answered. "You have to think we might not be able to come back to this house.
- I understand.
- Take your personal things. Only what you can't do without. And anything that could lead them to you, or to your father.
- All right. Anything in particular ?
- Do you know if he keeps money here ?
- He does. I'll take it.
- Good. And take the computer too.
- OK. Do you need anything ?
- ... Does he have any tools ?
- In the garage. I'll show you.
- I'll find them. Go now, we must hurry."
Jason had a last look at Clarice then went back inside the house. She called him back before he entered: "Get some binoculars if he has some." Jason nodded and disappeared.
Clarice went to the garage and gathered a few tools they could need. There was a barbed wire fence around the farm and they could need some pliers to make their way. She took a flashlight too, and some batteries.
Jason had not yet returned when she reached the van. She leaned against the car and closed her eyes. Angry. This was what she was. Angry with herself. Angry with her indelible habit of complicating everything, to put emotions where only action was needed.
When he came back, Jason was carrying only a big sport bag.
" - Is that all ?" she asked.
" - You said only what we can't do without. Don't worry, I did not leave any track.
- All right. Get in the car, then. Let's go."
Clarice reached the driver' s seat and started the engine.
" - Wait !" Jason suddenly said.
" - What ?
- I just forgot one thing.
- Jason !
- I'll be a minute."
He was gone before she could protest further. Less than a minute later, he was back carrying a large metallic box. He put it in the back and came to seat next to her.
" - What is that ?
- Medical stuff he's keeping. Just in case. I though we might need it.
- OK. Anything else ?
- No.
- ... Jason, do you have a gun ?
- No. I know he's got some, but I don't know where he keeps them. I could search the whole house without finding them."
Clarice reached for her ankle and pulled her second weapon. She handed it to him along with a box of ammunition she got from her jacket. He took them.
" - You know how to use these, don't you ?
- Yes.
- Jason, I hope we will not come to that extend, but if you have to shoot, shoot to kill."
He nodded and put the gun in his pocket. Clarice started the car and exit from the park.
Clarice was lost in her thoughts. She was reviewing in her mind the geography of the scene, and the possible scenarios. She had almost forgotten his presence when he broke the silence. "What is it, Clarice ?" the sound of his voice startled her.
" - What ?
- Did I do or say anything wrong ?
- No. What makes you think ...
- I know something is wrong this morning, but I don't know what. I mean, if I did something ...
- You did nothing wrong, Jason. I'm fine.
...
- I don't think you are.
- The hell with the Lecter and their extra vision !"
She took a deep breath. He did not deserve that. But she was getting really tired of being so transparent to the male members of his family.
" - I'm sorry, Jason. I'm tired, that's all. You did not do anything wrong ... I didn't want to yell at you, I ...
- I know what I'm asking from you is ... I know how awkward it can be.
- It's OK. I'm an adult. I take my own decisions. You did not force me to follow you.
- All right. We're both tired. But if you want to ...
- I don't want to talk about it, Jason. Not now. It's nothing personal, but I don't want to talk about it.
- Fine with me."
He gave her a warm smile, and she could not help smiling back at him.
It had rained during the night and the ground was muddy. Now the air was dry but cold. Clarice looked at her watch. 10:07 am.
They had arrived half an hour before. They had had a little bit of difficulties finding the alternate road, but they had made it. She had hidden the car and positioned it so as to be able to leave fast. They had studied the map carefully and knew how to reach the main road in case they would have to follow the Range Rover again. It was still in the courtyard for now, same place it was the night before. The ground behind it was dry. They hadn't moved.
Clarice had got closer to the house and cut a hole in the fence. She had come through it but had not done more than a few steps. She did not want to run the risk of being spotted. Not now. She had come back to Jason and they were both waiting in silence.
The sound of his cell phone vibration made them jump. Jason took it from the inside pocket of his jacket and answered. "Jason Mc Namara." Clarice put her head close to his so as to hear the conversation.
" - Good morning, Mr. Mc Namara. I suppose you were waiting for my call ?
- Yes. How is my father ?
- He's fine, don't worry. But one thing at a time. Do you have my little present ?
- I do.
- Whole of it ?
- Yes.
- I'm impressed. You are a very resourceful young man, aren't you ?
- What do I do now ?
- Hmm ... I can see you don't loose time. I like that ... As they say, time is money."
They heard a laugh at the other end of the line. Jason' s voice was remaining very calm. Clarice knew he must have been scared to death but he did not show. She put her hand on his back.
" - Well, straight to business so. Do you know a little town called Weaver ?
- No. But I can find it.
- Good. It's on the left side of the St Paul river. You can find it on any map of the state of New York.
- All right. What then ?
- There is a leisure park close to Weaver, about three miles away to be precise. It is called Sunland Park.
- OK.
- When you get there, buy yourself a ticket and go to the big wheel. Wait there. A man will come to you and offer you a cigarette. He will light it for you, with a red lighter. Give him the money. He will tell you where you can find your father. Is everything clear ?"
Clarice frantically shook her head. "NO" she mimed. "See him". Jason got it.
" - No." he said. "I want to see my father before I give you the money.
- I don't think you're in a position in which you can demand anything, young man."
The voice had become harder. Clarice made a sign to Jason to calm down. "I know." he answered a bit hesitantly. "I will give you the money. I will give you anything you want. But I want to see my father first ... I saw the blood at his house. I don't even know if he's still alive." The silence at the other end seemed to last forever.
" - All right." the voice finally answered. "Then you will follow the man to the parking lot. You will see him, but won't be allowed to go to him until we've got the money.
- OK.
- Good. It is 10:15 now. Be at the big wheel at 11:00, sharp.
- I'll be there."
Then they both heard the click. Before Jason could put his cell phone back in his pocket, Clarice was already searching the map.
" - There it is !" she exclaimed after a few seconds. "About fifteen minutes from here. A little more than half an hour from your father' s house, I guess.
- What do we do now ?
- We wait, and we follow. It should not be long. I want to see how many of them we will have to fight there. And I want to be sure they're taking him with them."
At this precise instant, Clarice could see that all the assurance and self-control Jason had demonstrated on the phone was just a fake. He was scared, deep down inside scared. She stared at him straight in the eyes and tried to put as much confidence as she could in her look. "We will beat them at their own game, Jason. Now we have a priceless advantage. We know where they are and we can watch what they do ... And they don't know we know."
He closed his eyes for a second and she saw the effort he made to recollect his strengths. When he opened his eyes again, they were determined. His voice sounded low and calm. "All right." he simply answered.
He heard them running down the stairs. So, this was it. He did not have any fear or doubts. He was mentally prepared and fully concentrated on the task to come. It was amazing how he could still slip so easily into the skin of this cool killing machine no one had been able to stop till now ... Even if he had not been practicing much in the recent past, the automatism of his mind came back naturally, without any effort. Thomas Mc Namara was dead and buried. What they would have to deal with now was Hannibal Lecter.
The door slammed opened. Without even looking in their direction he could sense there was the three of them. He turned his face to the door and covered his inner smile with what anybody would interpret as a frightened expression. He knew he looked everything but dangerous, and that could only serve his purpose.
The man he had identified as their chief entered first but remained by the door. His oldest companion, the one he had bitten the ear of was staying outside. Both were carrying an automatic gun, both pointed in his direction. The third man entered and got closer to the bed. He was the youngest one too. Maybe seventeen years old, not much more. The boss threw a little key at him. "Un-cuff him." he spat. The kid complied without a word.
Hannibal resisted the will of massaging his sore wrist and kept his eyes wide opened and pointed at the enemy. Their boss looked at him with visible satisfaction and explained him the next steps:
" - Time has come, Mr. Mc Namara. I have spoken with your son and he seemed eager to cooperate. In about one hour you should never hear about us again ... Provided you respect our little arrangement, of course ...
- You don't have to worry about this. I will." Hannibal' s voice was very slightly trembling, but that did not escape the man and brought a smile on his face.
" - I am sure you will. But remember what I told you: anything unusual and ...
- I know.
- Good. So, as everything seems clear, let's go. Get up now."
Hannibal sat on the bed and slowly pulled his left leg to its edge. Then, putting his whole weight on his right feet he painfully stood up. The grin of pain on his face was not faked. The dizzy spell that followed instead was. From as far as he could remember, Hannibal had never felt so aware and in full control of his senses. But that, no living creature could have guessed.
His body swayed and he just had the time to grab the post of the bed to avoid falling. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily. "Help him up !" he heard the cold voice utter. And then the young man mumbling. He soon felt an arm pass below his left armpit and grab the back of his shirt. Hannibal raised his arm and rested it on the man' s shoulder. Then he leant on him, putting as much weight as possible on this improvised human crutch.
"Come on ! We don't have whole day !"
They started climbing up the stairs. Hannibal went first, followed by the two armed men. They were progressing slowly and he did not have to look to feel the irritation growing in his jailers. Once they were up, the boss overtook them and went to open the door. "Harry ! Get the car !" he yelled at the third man. "You two, get out. Put him in the back seat of the Chevy and lock the door." His voice was as icy as his eyes. "And hurry up." he added.
The young man instinctively accelerated the pace. Hannibal smelt the fear in his sweat.
They passed the doorstep and went down a few steps towards the courtyard. Hannibal slowed down to have more time to look at his surrounding. His mind was perfectly clear and calm. He was registering as many details as possible.
The building was an ex farm. The courtyard was rather large, the ground was made of earth, turning to mud now. At the center of it, was a modern Range Rover. It was parked parallel to the farm main building, passenger side facing them.
In front of them was the entrance of the 'property'. A rusty metallic gate was opened on a dust path. Hannibal guessed nobody had lived there for years. They did not seem to have neighbors either. On their left stood an old barn. The large wooden doors were closed. As far as he could see, behind the barn were what were probably once cultivated fields, now merely covered with weed. There were some trees at the end of the fields, but they were at least half a mile away.
On the right instead, about ninety yards from them, the courtyard was bordered by some woods. Hannibal could not see how deep they were. He could not see any fence on this side and the first trees were undoubtedly the closest place to hide. Ninety yards was a long distance to cover on exposed ground, especially when men with guns were after you. But it appeared to him as the only way out.
They were progressing in courtyard now, heading towards the Range Rover. Hannibal was making it as heavy as possible for the young man supporting him. He could feel the man heart beat accelerate and his breathing shorten. They finally reached the car and leant on it. The chief of the gang had stayed in the doorway, his gun pointed at Hannibal.
A few seconds later, an old brown Chevy passed the gate and progressed in their direction. The third man was driving it. When he saw the second car approaching, the boss went back inside the farm. "I'll be back in a minute." he yelled at his companions. "Get ready to go."
The Chevy passed behind Hannibal and his guardian and came to park between the Range Rover and the farm. Hannibal' s body tensed up. It was his occasion ... As fast as a cobra attacking its prey, his arm reached to the young man's neck and his hand seized his chin. He distinctly heard the vertebra crack, but the man in the Chevy did not notice anything. Hannibal started to run as fast as possible in the direction of the wood.
With each of his step, excruciating pain was coming up from his thigh to his whole upper body. But he ignored it. His eyes were fixed on the first tree at the other end of the courtyard. Next thing he heard was the voice of their boss shouting "Harry !". The answer of Harry was covered by the noise of gun shots. Hannibal went on running, but his leg abandoned him as he was half way to his objective. He fell to the floor.
The bangs went more numerous and he wondered how he could still be alive. But he suddenly realized that some of the shots were not coming straight from behind him, but more from his right. Someone else was shooting ... and it could not be Harry or his accomplice.
Clarice and Jason were staring at the farm, waiting for the kidnappers to move. They were about twenty yards behind the building, on its right. Their visibility was perfect, even without the binoculars. None of them was speaking.
Not even five minutes after the end of the phone call, they saw the door open. Menendez went out first. He start running towards the gate and soon disappeared. A few seconds later, they noticed more movements from the door. And then they saw him.
Hannibal Lecter was leaning on a younger man and they were both slowly coming out of the doorway. They could see he was heavily limping, but he was alive. Clarice did not have to look at Jason' s to feel the young man' s relief.
Clarice' s feelings were more complex though. Seeing Lecter again was something strange. Even at distance, even with him not being aware of her presence, she could feel something electric in the air. She blinked twice to try to get rid of her uneasy sensations. Now was not the time. She had to concentrate on the job. She would have time to analyze afterwards.
The two men went to the Range Rover and stopped there. In the doorway they could distinguish a third silhouette.
" - Willinger," she whispered for Jason. "There, at the door." He nodded.
" - I've seen him.
- He's got a gun, and we don't know if there are others inside ... The good thing is they're taking your father with them. Seems they intend to respect the deal.
- Yeah. The only problem is we haven't got the money."
She did not answer. She did not have to.
They heard the noise of an engine. Menendez was coming back driving a Chevy. They saw him park near the Range Rover, but he did not come out. Willinger disappeared inside. He said something but they were too far to understand. Clarice' s eyes turned back to the cars.
In a second, the man who was standing by Lecter fell on the floor and she saw Lecter start to run through the courtyard. Jason saw him too. Clarice instinctively pulled her gun from her holster and pointed it at the farm.
" - What is he doing ?" Jason uttered, ultimate tension in his voice. Clarice understood immediately.
" - God damn him ! He's protecting you.
- What ?
- He knows you can't have gathered the money, and he thinks you're alone. So he tries his fate before they can get to you."
The voice of Willinger resounded and the first gun shots exploded. Clarice immediately shot at the farm door, soon imitated by Jason. Menendez, who had come out of the Chevy rushed behind the car and started to shoot in their direction. Clarice heard the impacts a few feet away. They had not yet spotted them with precision.
Clarice glanced at where she had seen Lecter for the last time. She spotted him easily.
He was forty yards ahead of them, crawling on the floor trying to reach a grove. But he was still far from it. She could hear the shots getting closer and more precise. He would never make it alone, she thought. Jason stopped firing to reload his gun. She shot a few bullets to keep Willinger and Menendez quiet.
" - Jason," she said, "I must go and get your father. He won't make it alone.
- OK. I'll cover you.
- I can't bring him back here ... Too much exposed. I'll take him to the trees there.
- And then ?"
Clarice had to raise her voice to cover the sound of the guns.
" - These woods are where we hid yesterday evening.
- I know.
- When we are there, I'll cover you. When you hear my gun, run to the car and go and pick us there.
- But it will take me at least ten minutes." he protested.
She took the car keys out of her pocket and handed them to him. "Do you have a better plan ?" she asked. He shook his head. "Right. Now cover me."
When Jason started to fire again, she got up and started to run. She ran as fast as she could to join Lecter and kneeled by his side. She could see the blood on the floor.
"Get on your back !" she shouted at him. He raised his face and looked at her in disbelief. He was too surprised to say anything. He complied to her order as fast as he could, his eyes locked on her. She was shooting again at the farm.
When she saw he was ready, she stuck her gun in the waist of her trousers, put her hands under his armpits and started to pull him as fast as she could. A few seconds later, they were both safe behind the trees. Clarice reloaded her gun and had a look at the situation behind. She fired twice to signal Jason that she was ready. She had a glance at Hannibal Lecter.
He was lying on his side, staring at her. He was as pale as a ghost and his eyes were feverish.
" - Are you all right ?" she asked. As he was not answering she went on: "Dr. Lecter, can you hear me ?
- Clarice ?
- Yeah. That's me." She sighed. "How bad is it ?" she asked, pointing her gun at his leg. Without waiting for his answer she looked back at the building, keeping watching the two men there.
Hannibal did not seem to have heard her question.
" - Clarice, what are you doing here ?
- Long story. We don't have time for that now. How bad is your leg ? Can you walk ?
- I think so. Maybe you will have to help me a bit ... " He gave her a bright smile. "It seems saving my life is becoming one of your hobbies, isn't it ?"
Clarice could not believe it. They were somewhere in the woods, pursued by armed men trying to kill them, and all he was thinking of was kidding with her.
" - Dr. Lecter ! Now is really not the time for your little games, OK !
- All right, Clarice. Then what is next in your plans ? If I may ask ..."
He was still slightly smiling.
" - Now we wait." Starling answer abruptly.
- Wait ? Wait for what ?
- We wait for Jason. He's gonna join us with your car."
"Jason ..." he murmured, as if the air was hardly passing through his throat. She nodded. She was trying to spot Willinger. She had seen him join Menendez behind the cars. Though she was certain the two men could not have left, she could not see them now. And that made her nervous. The positive thing though was that nobody else had shown up.
When she turned back to Hannibal, his smile had disappeared, and for the first time since she'd known him, Clarice saw in Hannibal Lecter' s eyes what she would never have expected to see there: fear.
" - Don't worry," she said, "he's gonna be OK.
- Is he alone ? Did you call some back-up ?
- No.. But the kid is bright. It was just the two of us."
Clarice knew he was now analyzing the consequences of what she had just said. She had not called the FBI. She silently prayed he would not comment on this. She really did not need that, not now.
Her prayers seemed to have been heard. He did not say a word. A crack in the leafs alerted her and she turned back to him. He was trying to sit up against the trunk of the closest tree. She could not miss the grin of pain on his face.
She looked back at the farm just in time to see Menendez trying to get out of hiding. She fired twice at him and he fell on the floor. He was not dead. She could see him move, but he seemed seriously injured. Silence came back. She sat on the floor near Lecter and helped him settle. He really did not look well. His trousers were covered with blood. The loss was important. He was looking very weak and breathing heavily. Additionally, on the left side of his face, a four inches haematoma had turned black.
She had a look at her watch. Eight minutes had passed since Jason had left. "It won't be long now." she whispered. "Jason will be here any minute. Hold on." He nodded and gave her a smile. Her heart skipped a few beats.
Sounds of gun shots suddenly brought her back to reality. She instantly turned back. The firing was no more coming from the cars, but from behind a little wall about forty yards from them. "Shit !" she spat. "The son of a bitch has got closer." She shot at Willinger. She checked that Menendez was still lying on the ground.
Clarice and Hannibal heard it at the same time. The sound of a car engine stopping close to them. "Thank God !" she whispered. Two seconds later, Jason emerged from the bushes. He ran to his father and kneeled next to him.
" - Dad ! Are you all right ?
- I'll be fine, don't worry."
Jason took his hand and held it strong. Tears were beginning to show in his eyes.
" - Sorry to interrupt, but you'll have plenty of time for that later." Clarice said. "Now we've got to get out of here. Jason, help him to the van and wait for me there. You'll drive. I'll cover you.
- But ...
- Jason, please ! Don't discuss. Do as I say, right ?
- Come on, Jason." Hannibal added. "Clarice knows what she's doing.
- I'll join you."
Clarice fired to the wall behind which Willinger was hiding. Jason helped Hannibal to stand up. He moaned when his left feet touched the ground. Then the two men headed to the car.
Clarice waited a couple of minutes before she left her post. She knew they would not go fast and wanted to be sure they would be in the car when she joins them. She shot two more bullets at Willinger, and then pointed at the cars. She fired to the wheels: she could not take the risk he would follow them. Then she got up and moved as fast as possible. She jumped in the back of the van, where Hannibal Lecter was lying.
Jason had already started the engine and the car started as soon as she was in.
He was driving as fast as he could on the poor road. Clarice and Hannibal were projected against the car each time the van wheels were encountering a pothole. She saw him clench his teeth. She got closer and tried to immobilize his leg but she had nothing to hang on.
Finally, after a dozen of minutes they were on the main road. Clarice sat near Hannibal' s legs and started tearing his trousers leg. She had a quick look at the wound. Blood was still pouring.
"- We can't go back to the house." she said to Jason. Then turning back to Lecter: "The bullet's still inside.
- I know.
- You need a doctor.
- No way ..."
He closed his eyes as she tried to turn his leg to see better.
" - Sorry.
- It's all right." he whispered. His voice was weak and his breathing difficult. "The femur is ... broken too.
- Jason, we need a quiet place. He needs medical care ...
- Jason ?" Hannibal interrupted.
- Yes dad.
- Do you remember ... where the old ... hotel is ?
- Yes.
- A hotel ?" Clarice exclaimed. "I'm not quite sure it is ...
- It's an ex hotel." Jason said. "Abandoned for years. In the middle of nowhere.
- Do you think you can ... get to it ?" Hannibal asked.
- Yes.
- Good. We will be ... safe there.
- How far is it ?" Clarice asked.
- We can be there in a little more than an hour."
She grinned. "OK. I don't suppose we have the choice anyway. But hurry up."
Clarice winded the part of Hannibal' s trousers she had torn up around his thigh and made a knot. One hour was a long time. She had to stop the bleeding if he was to make it alive. She took the two ends of her improvised tourniquet and squeezed as much as she could.
Hannibal' s face tensed and a cry escaped his throat. And then he lost consciousness.
To be continued ... Thanks for reading. Reviews are as usual MOST welcome ...
Absolut.
A/N: Again, thanks for the reviews.
I actually had planned chapter 10 to be the last one, but I will try to take it a little further (this is for Clariz). Don't expect too much from me, though. We are near the end anyway.
Sorry about the cruelty of your dentist, Guber (most of them are). I won't answer your question now, though. But all good things to those who wait ... (Hey, I put this one in the 'suspense' category after all.)
BTW, a few lines in this chapter were copied/pasted from Steven Zaillian' s script. Thank you very much, Mr. Zaillian.
Chapter 10
Clarice abruptly woke up in the dark of her room. Her whole body was covered with sweat. She took a few deep breath to try to pace the beating of her heart. She finally relaxed a bit. It had only been a nightmare ... her nightmare ...
But why ? Why now ? Why had the lambs chosen this very moment to start screaming again ? She wiped away the sweat on her face. It was the first time in months that she was waking in the middle of the night. She thought she had made it. She thought she had finally silenced the lambs ... but they were still there, waiting in the dark, ready to show up on the first occasion. When she less expected them ...
She had a look at her watch. 5:15. Her hands were still slightly trembling. She sighed. She knew she would not find sleep again. She got up and went to the bathroom. The hot water of the shower running on her naked body helped to calm her. This was ridiculous. She knew it was not a lamb she would try to save today. Rather a wolf. And yet ...
Or was it the thought that she would see him again ? That she would again feel his gaze on her ... This look that seemed to read through her like from an open book ...
What next ? What if they managed to save him, what would she do then ? For the first time since she met Jason, the question she had deliberately avoided struck her in the face.
He was still a criminal. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. And she was still an FBI agent. Even if that did not mean the same thing it used to mean, it still counted for her. Logically, she could not let him go away. And yet, could she arrest him ? She would have the power. For the first time since they'd met, she would be able to stop him for real. But was this what she wanted ?
Of course it was. What else could she want ? Why the hell would she hesitate ? Had he shown any mercy for his victims ?
As the water drained her thoughts, she realized she had been thinking of this all the time. She had pretended she would care for this later, but now she knew she had only been fooling herself.
Catching Hannibal Lecter would be the coup of her career. Much better than all the Buffalo Bills of this earth. Because all these jerks who had set her down in Washington would have to publicly acknowledged they'd been wrong. They would have to bend before her, ask for her forgiveness. And that was priceless.
She would be immediately reinstated. She knew it. Would have a much better position that she could have dreamt of. She would have her career back, the career she knew she deserved, the one she had fought for for so many years.
Clarice closed her eyes and offered her face to the water. She did not want to cry. Not now. Not again ... Not for them, nor for what they had done to her.
Is this what she wanted ? This revenge on them ? To see them crawling at her feet ? Oh yes, that would be good, but was it what she really wanted ?
Then what was she doing here ? Alone ... Why hadn't she called the FBI for support ? Would have been much easier and much less risky. Then why had she told her boss she was ill and was taking a few days off ? She had not hesitated one second though. She knew it ... but yet she could not explain why.
The voice of Hannibal Lecter resounded in her head. This characteristic metallic sound amplified by the phone. "You serve the idea of order, Clarice - they don't. You believe in the oath you took - they don't. You feel it's your duty to protect the sheep - they don't. They don't like you because they're not like you. They're weak and unruly and believe in nothing."
She let the last words vanish in the steam of the shower. "How would you know, Dr. Lecter ?" she said aloud. "What do you know about order and oaths and duty ? And lambs ...".
She opened her eyes and rubbed her face. She stopped the water and staid there, standing in the shower, her hands wrapped around her shoulders, not moving until the air cooled and made her chill.
She sniffed and went out of the shower. She grabbed a towel and began to dry her body energetically. She was quickly recovering her senses but deep down inside she knew she had not come to a conclusion. And she knew she would not come to one now ... not before she saw him.
When she sees him, she would know. And she would make her decision.
Clarice was putting her bags in the back of the van when Jason appeared in the doorstep. He was looking rested, though he had not slept more than three hours. Much better than her anyway.
He went down the few steps and stood next to her. "So, what do we need ?" he asked. She turned to him and she saw in his eyes that her face had betrayed her emotions. But he did not say anything.
" - Everything we can," she answered. "You have to think we might not be able to come back to this house.
- I understand.
- Take your personal things. Only what you can't do without. And anything that could lead them to you, or to your father.
- All right. Anything in particular ?
- Do you know if he keeps money here ?
- He does. I'll take it.
- Good. And take the computer too.
- OK. Do you need anything ?
- ... Does he have any tools ?
- In the garage. I'll show you.
- I'll find them. Go now, we must hurry."
Jason had a last look at Clarice then went back inside the house. She called him back before he entered: "Get some binoculars if he has some." Jason nodded and disappeared.
Clarice went to the garage and gathered a few tools they could need. There was a barbed wire fence around the farm and they could need some pliers to make their way. She took a flashlight too, and some batteries.
Jason had not yet returned when she reached the van. She leaned against the car and closed her eyes. Angry. This was what she was. Angry with herself. Angry with her indelible habit of complicating everything, to put emotions where only action was needed.
When he came back, Jason was carrying only a big sport bag.
" - Is that all ?" she asked.
" - You said only what we can't do without. Don't worry, I did not leave any track.
- All right. Get in the car, then. Let's go."
Clarice reached the driver' s seat and started the engine.
" - Wait !" Jason suddenly said.
" - What ?
- I just forgot one thing.
- Jason !
- I'll be a minute."
He was gone before she could protest further. Less than a minute later, he was back carrying a large metallic box. He put it in the back and came to seat next to her.
" - What is that ?
- Medical stuff he's keeping. Just in case. I though we might need it.
- OK. Anything else ?
- No.
- ... Jason, do you have a gun ?
- No. I know he's got some, but I don't know where he keeps them. I could search the whole house without finding them."
Clarice reached for her ankle and pulled her second weapon. She handed it to him along with a box of ammunition she got from her jacket. He took them.
" - You know how to use these, don't you ?
- Yes.
- Jason, I hope we will not come to that extend, but if you have to shoot, shoot to kill."
He nodded and put the gun in his pocket. Clarice started the car and exit from the park.
Clarice was lost in her thoughts. She was reviewing in her mind the geography of the scene, and the possible scenarios. She had almost forgotten his presence when he broke the silence. "What is it, Clarice ?" the sound of his voice startled her.
" - What ?
- Did I do or say anything wrong ?
- No. What makes you think ...
- I know something is wrong this morning, but I don't know what. I mean, if I did something ...
- You did nothing wrong, Jason. I'm fine.
...
- I don't think you are.
- The hell with the Lecter and their extra vision !"
She took a deep breath. He did not deserve that. But she was getting really tired of being so transparent to the male members of his family.
" - I'm sorry, Jason. I'm tired, that's all. You did not do anything wrong ... I didn't want to yell at you, I ...
- I know what I'm asking from you is ... I know how awkward it can be.
- It's OK. I'm an adult. I take my own decisions. You did not force me to follow you.
- All right. We're both tired. But if you want to ...
- I don't want to talk about it, Jason. Not now. It's nothing personal, but I don't want to talk about it.
- Fine with me."
He gave her a warm smile, and she could not help smiling back at him.
It had rained during the night and the ground was muddy. Now the air was dry but cold. Clarice looked at her watch. 10:07 am.
They had arrived half an hour before. They had had a little bit of difficulties finding the alternate road, but they had made it. She had hidden the car and positioned it so as to be able to leave fast. They had studied the map carefully and knew how to reach the main road in case they would have to follow the Range Rover again. It was still in the courtyard for now, same place it was the night before. The ground behind it was dry. They hadn't moved.
Clarice had got closer to the house and cut a hole in the fence. She had come through it but had not done more than a few steps. She did not want to run the risk of being spotted. Not now. She had come back to Jason and they were both waiting in silence.
The sound of his cell phone vibration made them jump. Jason took it from the inside pocket of his jacket and answered. "Jason Mc Namara." Clarice put her head close to his so as to hear the conversation.
" - Good morning, Mr. Mc Namara. I suppose you were waiting for my call ?
- Yes. How is my father ?
- He's fine, don't worry. But one thing at a time. Do you have my little present ?
- I do.
- Whole of it ?
- Yes.
- I'm impressed. You are a very resourceful young man, aren't you ?
- What do I do now ?
- Hmm ... I can see you don't loose time. I like that ... As they say, time is money."
They heard a laugh at the other end of the line. Jason' s voice was remaining very calm. Clarice knew he must have been scared to death but he did not show. She put her hand on his back.
" - Well, straight to business so. Do you know a little town called Weaver ?
- No. But I can find it.
- Good. It's on the left side of the St Paul river. You can find it on any map of the state of New York.
- All right. What then ?
- There is a leisure park close to Weaver, about three miles away to be precise. It is called Sunland Park.
- OK.
- When you get there, buy yourself a ticket and go to the big wheel. Wait there. A man will come to you and offer you a cigarette. He will light it for you, with a red lighter. Give him the money. He will tell you where you can find your father. Is everything clear ?"
Clarice frantically shook her head. "NO" she mimed. "See him". Jason got it.
" - No." he said. "I want to see my father before I give you the money.
- I don't think you're in a position in which you can demand anything, young man."
The voice had become harder. Clarice made a sign to Jason to calm down. "I know." he answered a bit hesitantly. "I will give you the money. I will give you anything you want. But I want to see my father first ... I saw the blood at his house. I don't even know if he's still alive." The silence at the other end seemed to last forever.
" - All right." the voice finally answered. "Then you will follow the man to the parking lot. You will see him, but won't be allowed to go to him until we've got the money.
- OK.
- Good. It is 10:15 now. Be at the big wheel at 11:00, sharp.
- I'll be there."
Then they both heard the click. Before Jason could put his cell phone back in his pocket, Clarice was already searching the map.
" - There it is !" she exclaimed after a few seconds. "About fifteen minutes from here. A little more than half an hour from your father' s house, I guess.
- What do we do now ?
- We wait, and we follow. It should not be long. I want to see how many of them we will have to fight there. And I want to be sure they're taking him with them."
At this precise instant, Clarice could see that all the assurance and self-control Jason had demonstrated on the phone was just a fake. He was scared, deep down inside scared. She stared at him straight in the eyes and tried to put as much confidence as she could in her look. "We will beat them at their own game, Jason. Now we have a priceless advantage. We know where they are and we can watch what they do ... And they don't know we know."
He closed his eyes for a second and she saw the effort he made to recollect his strengths. When he opened his eyes again, they were determined. His voice sounded low and calm. "All right." he simply answered.
He heard them running down the stairs. So, this was it. He did not have any fear or doubts. He was mentally prepared and fully concentrated on the task to come. It was amazing how he could still slip so easily into the skin of this cool killing machine no one had been able to stop till now ... Even if he had not been practicing much in the recent past, the automatism of his mind came back naturally, without any effort. Thomas Mc Namara was dead and buried. What they would have to deal with now was Hannibal Lecter.
The door slammed opened. Without even looking in their direction he could sense there was the three of them. He turned his face to the door and covered his inner smile with what anybody would interpret as a frightened expression. He knew he looked everything but dangerous, and that could only serve his purpose.
The man he had identified as their chief entered first but remained by the door. His oldest companion, the one he had bitten the ear of was staying outside. Both were carrying an automatic gun, both pointed in his direction. The third man entered and got closer to the bed. He was the youngest one too. Maybe seventeen years old, not much more. The boss threw a little key at him. "Un-cuff him." he spat. The kid complied without a word.
Hannibal resisted the will of massaging his sore wrist and kept his eyes wide opened and pointed at the enemy. Their boss looked at him with visible satisfaction and explained him the next steps:
" - Time has come, Mr. Mc Namara. I have spoken with your son and he seemed eager to cooperate. In about one hour you should never hear about us again ... Provided you respect our little arrangement, of course ...
- You don't have to worry about this. I will." Hannibal' s voice was very slightly trembling, but that did not escape the man and brought a smile on his face.
" - I am sure you will. But remember what I told you: anything unusual and ...
- I know.
- Good. So, as everything seems clear, let's go. Get up now."
Hannibal sat on the bed and slowly pulled his left leg to its edge. Then, putting his whole weight on his right feet he painfully stood up. The grin of pain on his face was not faked. The dizzy spell that followed instead was. From as far as he could remember, Hannibal had never felt so aware and in full control of his senses. But that, no living creature could have guessed.
His body swayed and he just had the time to grab the post of the bed to avoid falling. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily. "Help him up !" he heard the cold voice utter. And then the young man mumbling. He soon felt an arm pass below his left armpit and grab the back of his shirt. Hannibal raised his arm and rested it on the man' s shoulder. Then he leant on him, putting as much weight as possible on this improvised human crutch.
"Come on ! We don't have whole day !"
They started climbing up the stairs. Hannibal went first, followed by the two armed men. They were progressing slowly and he did not have to look to feel the irritation growing in his jailers. Once they were up, the boss overtook them and went to open the door. "Harry ! Get the car !" he yelled at the third man. "You two, get out. Put him in the back seat of the Chevy and lock the door." His voice was as icy as his eyes. "And hurry up." he added.
The young man instinctively accelerated the pace. Hannibal smelt the fear in his sweat.
They passed the doorstep and went down a few steps towards the courtyard. Hannibal slowed down to have more time to look at his surrounding. His mind was perfectly clear and calm. He was registering as many details as possible.
The building was an ex farm. The courtyard was rather large, the ground was made of earth, turning to mud now. At the center of it, was a modern Range Rover. It was parked parallel to the farm main building, passenger side facing them.
In front of them was the entrance of the 'property'. A rusty metallic gate was opened on a dust path. Hannibal guessed nobody had lived there for years. They did not seem to have neighbors either. On their left stood an old barn. The large wooden doors were closed. As far as he could see, behind the barn were what were probably once cultivated fields, now merely covered with weed. There were some trees at the end of the fields, but they were at least half a mile away.
On the right instead, about ninety yards from them, the courtyard was bordered by some woods. Hannibal could not see how deep they were. He could not see any fence on this side and the first trees were undoubtedly the closest place to hide. Ninety yards was a long distance to cover on exposed ground, especially when men with guns were after you. But it appeared to him as the only way out.
They were progressing in courtyard now, heading towards the Range Rover. Hannibal was making it as heavy as possible for the young man supporting him. He could feel the man heart beat accelerate and his breathing shorten. They finally reached the car and leant on it. The chief of the gang had stayed in the doorway, his gun pointed at Hannibal.
A few seconds later, an old brown Chevy passed the gate and progressed in their direction. The third man was driving it. When he saw the second car approaching, the boss went back inside the farm. "I'll be back in a minute." he yelled at his companions. "Get ready to go."
The Chevy passed behind Hannibal and his guardian and came to park between the Range Rover and the farm. Hannibal' s body tensed up. It was his occasion ... As fast as a cobra attacking its prey, his arm reached to the young man's neck and his hand seized his chin. He distinctly heard the vertebra crack, but the man in the Chevy did not notice anything. Hannibal started to run as fast as possible in the direction of the wood.
With each of his step, excruciating pain was coming up from his thigh to his whole upper body. But he ignored it. His eyes were fixed on the first tree at the other end of the courtyard. Next thing he heard was the voice of their boss shouting "Harry !". The answer of Harry was covered by the noise of gun shots. Hannibal went on running, but his leg abandoned him as he was half way to his objective. He fell to the floor.
The bangs went more numerous and he wondered how he could still be alive. But he suddenly realized that some of the shots were not coming straight from behind him, but more from his right. Someone else was shooting ... and it could not be Harry or his accomplice.
Clarice and Jason were staring at the farm, waiting for the kidnappers to move. They were about twenty yards behind the building, on its right. Their visibility was perfect, even without the binoculars. None of them was speaking.
Not even five minutes after the end of the phone call, they saw the door open. Menendez went out first. He start running towards the gate and soon disappeared. A few seconds later, they noticed more movements from the door. And then they saw him.
Hannibal Lecter was leaning on a younger man and they were both slowly coming out of the doorway. They could see he was heavily limping, but he was alive. Clarice did not have to look at Jason' s to feel the young man' s relief.
Clarice' s feelings were more complex though. Seeing Lecter again was something strange. Even at distance, even with him not being aware of her presence, she could feel something electric in the air. She blinked twice to try to get rid of her uneasy sensations. Now was not the time. She had to concentrate on the job. She would have time to analyze afterwards.
The two men went to the Range Rover and stopped there. In the doorway they could distinguish a third silhouette.
" - Willinger," she whispered for Jason. "There, at the door." He nodded.
" - I've seen him.
- He's got a gun, and we don't know if there are others inside ... The good thing is they're taking your father with them. Seems they intend to respect the deal.
- Yeah. The only problem is we haven't got the money."
She did not answer. She did not have to.
They heard the noise of an engine. Menendez was coming back driving a Chevy. They saw him park near the Range Rover, but he did not come out. Willinger disappeared inside. He said something but they were too far to understand. Clarice' s eyes turned back to the cars.
In a second, the man who was standing by Lecter fell on the floor and she saw Lecter start to run through the courtyard. Jason saw him too. Clarice instinctively pulled her gun from her holster and pointed it at the farm.
" - What is he doing ?" Jason uttered, ultimate tension in his voice. Clarice understood immediately.
" - God damn him ! He's protecting you.
- What ?
- He knows you can't have gathered the money, and he thinks you're alone. So he tries his fate before they can get to you."
The voice of Willinger resounded and the first gun shots exploded. Clarice immediately shot at the farm door, soon imitated by Jason. Menendez, who had come out of the Chevy rushed behind the car and started to shoot in their direction. Clarice heard the impacts a few feet away. They had not yet spotted them with precision.
Clarice glanced at where she had seen Lecter for the last time. She spotted him easily.
He was forty yards ahead of them, crawling on the floor trying to reach a grove. But he was still far from it. She could hear the shots getting closer and more precise. He would never make it alone, she thought. Jason stopped firing to reload his gun. She shot a few bullets to keep Willinger and Menendez quiet.
" - Jason," she said, "I must go and get your father. He won't make it alone.
- OK. I'll cover you.
- I can't bring him back here ... Too much exposed. I'll take him to the trees there.
- And then ?"
Clarice had to raise her voice to cover the sound of the guns.
" - These woods are where we hid yesterday evening.
- I know.
- When we are there, I'll cover you. When you hear my gun, run to the car and go and pick us there.
- But it will take me at least ten minutes." he protested.
She took the car keys out of her pocket and handed them to him. "Do you have a better plan ?" she asked. He shook his head. "Right. Now cover me."
When Jason started to fire again, she got up and started to run. She ran as fast as she could to join Lecter and kneeled by his side. She could see the blood on the floor.
"Get on your back !" she shouted at him. He raised his face and looked at her in disbelief. He was too surprised to say anything. He complied to her order as fast as he could, his eyes locked on her. She was shooting again at the farm.
When she saw he was ready, she stuck her gun in the waist of her trousers, put her hands under his armpits and started to pull him as fast as she could. A few seconds later, they were both safe behind the trees. Clarice reloaded her gun and had a look at the situation behind. She fired twice to signal Jason that she was ready. She had a glance at Hannibal Lecter.
He was lying on his side, staring at her. He was as pale as a ghost and his eyes were feverish.
" - Are you all right ?" she asked. As he was not answering she went on: "Dr. Lecter, can you hear me ?
- Clarice ?
- Yeah. That's me." She sighed. "How bad is it ?" she asked, pointing her gun at his leg. Without waiting for his answer she looked back at the building, keeping watching the two men there.
Hannibal did not seem to have heard her question.
" - Clarice, what are you doing here ?
- Long story. We don't have time for that now. How bad is your leg ? Can you walk ?
- I think so. Maybe you will have to help me a bit ... " He gave her a bright smile. "It seems saving my life is becoming one of your hobbies, isn't it ?"
Clarice could not believe it. They were somewhere in the woods, pursued by armed men trying to kill them, and all he was thinking of was kidding with her.
" - Dr. Lecter ! Now is really not the time for your little games, OK !
- All right, Clarice. Then what is next in your plans ? If I may ask ..."
He was still slightly smiling.
" - Now we wait." Starling answer abruptly.
- Wait ? Wait for what ?
- We wait for Jason. He's gonna join us with your car."
"Jason ..." he murmured, as if the air was hardly passing through his throat. She nodded. She was trying to spot Willinger. She had seen him join Menendez behind the cars. Though she was certain the two men could not have left, she could not see them now. And that made her nervous. The positive thing though was that nobody else had shown up.
When she turned back to Hannibal, his smile had disappeared, and for the first time since she'd known him, Clarice saw in Hannibal Lecter' s eyes what she would never have expected to see there: fear.
" - Don't worry," she said, "he's gonna be OK.
- Is he alone ? Did you call some back-up ?
- No.. But the kid is bright. It was just the two of us."
Clarice knew he was now analyzing the consequences of what she had just said. She had not called the FBI. She silently prayed he would not comment on this. She really did not need that, not now.
Her prayers seemed to have been heard. He did not say a word. A crack in the leafs alerted her and she turned back to him. He was trying to sit up against the trunk of the closest tree. She could not miss the grin of pain on his face.
She looked back at the farm just in time to see Menendez trying to get out of hiding. She fired twice at him and he fell on the floor. He was not dead. She could see him move, but he seemed seriously injured. Silence came back. She sat on the floor near Lecter and helped him settle. He really did not look well. His trousers were covered with blood. The loss was important. He was looking very weak and breathing heavily. Additionally, on the left side of his face, a four inches haematoma had turned black.
She had a look at her watch. Eight minutes had passed since Jason had left. "It won't be long now." she whispered. "Jason will be here any minute. Hold on." He nodded and gave her a smile. Her heart skipped a few beats.
Sounds of gun shots suddenly brought her back to reality. She instantly turned back. The firing was no more coming from the cars, but from behind a little wall about forty yards from them. "Shit !" she spat. "The son of a bitch has got closer." She shot at Willinger. She checked that Menendez was still lying on the ground.
Clarice and Hannibal heard it at the same time. The sound of a car engine stopping close to them. "Thank God !" she whispered. Two seconds later, Jason emerged from the bushes. He ran to his father and kneeled next to him.
" - Dad ! Are you all right ?
- I'll be fine, don't worry."
Jason took his hand and held it strong. Tears were beginning to show in his eyes.
" - Sorry to interrupt, but you'll have plenty of time for that later." Clarice said. "Now we've got to get out of here. Jason, help him to the van and wait for me there. You'll drive. I'll cover you.
- But ...
- Jason, please ! Don't discuss. Do as I say, right ?
- Come on, Jason." Hannibal added. "Clarice knows what she's doing.
- I'll join you."
Clarice fired to the wall behind which Willinger was hiding. Jason helped Hannibal to stand up. He moaned when his left feet touched the ground. Then the two men headed to the car.
Clarice waited a couple of minutes before she left her post. She knew they would not go fast and wanted to be sure they would be in the car when she joins them. She shot two more bullets at Willinger, and then pointed at the cars. She fired to the wheels: she could not take the risk he would follow them. Then she got up and moved as fast as possible. She jumped in the back of the van, where Hannibal Lecter was lying.
Jason had already started the engine and the car started as soon as she was in.
He was driving as fast as he could on the poor road. Clarice and Hannibal were projected against the car each time the van wheels were encountering a pothole. She saw him clench his teeth. She got closer and tried to immobilize his leg but she had nothing to hang on.
Finally, after a dozen of minutes they were on the main road. Clarice sat near Hannibal' s legs and started tearing his trousers leg. She had a quick look at the wound. Blood was still pouring.
"- We can't go back to the house." she said to Jason. Then turning back to Lecter: "The bullet's still inside.
- I know.
- You need a doctor.
- No way ..."
He closed his eyes as she tried to turn his leg to see better.
" - Sorry.
- It's all right." he whispered. His voice was weak and his breathing difficult. "The femur is ... broken too.
- Jason, we need a quiet place. He needs medical care ...
- Jason ?" Hannibal interrupted.
- Yes dad.
- Do you remember ... where the old ... hotel is ?
- Yes.
- A hotel ?" Clarice exclaimed. "I'm not quite sure it is ...
- It's an ex hotel." Jason said. "Abandoned for years. In the middle of nowhere.
- Do you think you can ... get to it ?" Hannibal asked.
- Yes.
- Good. We will be ... safe there.
- How far is it ?" Clarice asked.
- We can be there in a little more than an hour."
She grinned. "OK. I don't suppose we have the choice anyway. But hurry up."
Clarice winded the part of Hannibal' s trousers she had torn up around his thigh and made a knot. One hour was a long time. She had to stop the bleeding if he was to make it alive. She took the two ends of her improvised tourniquet and squeezed as much as she could.
Hannibal' s face tensed and a cry escaped his throat. And then he lost consciousness.
To be continued ... Thanks for reading. Reviews are as usual MOST welcome ...
Absolut.