The usual disclaimers apply. Everybody knows who they belong to.

Thanks to all the folks who have faithfully followed the story for 17 chapters, so far. Specially to the wonderful reviewers, ShelleyYW, Holly Greenfeld, Marcus Aurelius, Cristina, Frylock, Ducki, Shifter, Shanna, Elbereth, Christine, LadyRiddle and Nicole.

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Exchanges XVII

Unidentified

"Hannibal, lets get out of this crowd," Clarice said taking him by the arm in the overly crowded street, "lets go for lunch or something"

"I thought you wanted to go to the Bridal Houses and see some gowns."

" I don't think so, not in Paris, lets get out of here and talk."

He nodded, and guided her around the corner to the Rue Royal. "We can take the Metro to the Left Bank, there are some nice bistros there".

They got off the Metro at St Germain and they walked to Les Deux Magots, an old cafe once frequented by Hemmingway and Piccaso.

After they were settled with an aperitif, Clarice went on with her train of thoughts.

"I find these Paris designers rather overwhelming, definitely not the type of dress I have in mind. Too elaborate, too gaudy and trendy. I want something simple and elegant. These are just too grand." She paused, " maybe I can find something in Zurich"

"Zurich is a good choice," he agreed, delighted that her taste for the traditional was not tainted by the tackiness of fashion trends. "You might find some Italian and US designers to chose from."

"Good," she paused, "also, do you suppose we might consider going back to Switzerland today, after lunch?"

Hannibal, feigned surprise, "Why is that?

"I don't know, we are bumping into too many old acquaintances. It's getting spooky."

"All right, we may pack and leave after lunch, if that pleases you" Hannibal said, "we've covered enough ground for one trip."

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Hannibal Lecter was not worried on the slightest about the Crawford incident and certainly didn't feel there was a need to leave Paris in a rush . The number of acquaintances had just been reduced in half as it was. He knew Jack Crawford was not likely to be identified until they checked fingerprints, being that he had Crawford's wallet in his pocket, and didn't even have to check the contents to know his ID's were in the wallet.

He figured, correctly, that Clarice would feel more at ease if they were out of Paris when he informed her of Crawford's demise.

After a short lunch they took a cab to the apartment and were packed and ready to go by 3PM.

About 2 hours after they left the outskirts of Paris, Dr. Lecter tuned the car radio to an all news station "We might be interested on the news" he announced sly as a fox, adding in his most innocent tone, "Did you see Jack Crawford today?"

She gave him a curious look, "No, why, did you?"

"Yeap" removing Crawford's wallet from his pocket, he handed it to her.

She opened it, removed Crawford's retiree ID, drivers license, credit cards and a few hundred Euros. She kept turning the ID card in her hand, stunned. Then looked at Hannibal, who kept his eyes on the road.

"Self preservation is and instinct." He declared

"Meaning?" asked Clarice, still trying to comprehend. Then, feeling a little exasperated. "Damn it, Hannibal, can't you tell me the whole story. What is this Suspense Theater?"

He started "He was walking towards us on Rue de la Paix a few minutes after we left Cartier," he went on describing the events, and finally remarked " It took a second. YOU didn't even notice. He was probably dead when he hit the ground."

"You cut him in the groin?" She asked after a pause

"That is where the femoral artery is located"

"Don't be a smart ass, what I want to know is if you killed him in a manner not consistent with you modus operandi."

"What is my modus operandi?" asked the smart ass.

" I don't know" Clarice hesitated, trying to organize her thoughts "You cut their throat?" she shook her head, as if trying to clear up the fog that seemed to wrap her thoughts.

For one second he took his eyes off the road to give her a quizzical look.

"OK, OK," she smiled and placed one hand on his arm, "I just wanted reassure myself that you are safe, that no one will suspect you"

She turned up the volume of the radio

… was stabbed today in the middle of a crows on the Rue de la Paix, a few feet from the Place Vendome. No witnesses have yet come forward. The man seems to have been the target of a pick pocketing attempt that went sour for causes not yet determined. Still unidentified, the victim never regained consciousness and was pronounced death in the ambulance on the way to Emergency Services.

One more addition to the series of crimes on plain daylight that have become more and more frequent in Paris during the last few month.

This reporter wonders what how long is it going to be before the authorities take the initiative to make the streets safer….

Clarice turned down the volume.

After a lengthy silence, which Hannibal knew better than to break, Clarice commented,

"Well, with Mason Verger, Krendler and Jack Crawford out of the picture, I suppose most of the threats have been removed. I guess Rosencranz wouldn't turn against you. But she might want to take some action against me or us. She could be jealous, you know."

"Maybe she is, and maybe she isn't. In any event, she is not like us, Clarice, even if she wished your demise, she wouldn't dare to take any action, nor would she hire someone to do it. Too risky," he chuckled, " like going to lunch with us".

He shrugged, "If I would have thought there was any such risk, I'd have killed her before leaving Paris, I am sure she knows that "

"Good!," she leaned back on the seat. "I'm just about to start enjoying a worry free life"

"Doesn't that worry you, Clarice?" chuckled Hannibal.

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On the way to the villa they picked up some prosciutto, a variety of local cheeses, fresh breads, some eggs, bacon and fresh sausages, milk, heavy cream and other staples.

"Is good to be back" exclaimed Hannibal after they were settled in the kitchen, in front of their improvised meal and a glass of wine.

Clarice nodded, she was happy, relaxed and felt totally at ease when Hannibal got up and turned on the small TV set tuned to CNN.

"I'm going to miss the swiss cheeses, when we leave" commented Clarice. "I didn't even know cheeses could be this good."

"Oh I'm a big cheese man myself," chuckled Hannibal, "there are endless varieties and they are all wonderful. A good bread, cheese and superb wine always hit the spot."

Small conversation, cheese and wine, while they waited for the news, if any, regarding Jack Crawford.

"Don't they take your fingerprints as part of your dossier when they hire you at the FBI?" asked Dr. Lecter

"They did when they hired me, is was part of the background check. I have no idea what they did some 35 or 40 years ago when they hired Jack Crawford" She thought for a while "I never had an opportunity to see the file of any of the old timers."

None of the local news made any reference to Jack Crawford . After an hour or so, Clarice yawned "to hell with Jack Crawford, lets got to bed," she reached for his hand, and he took it, grinning, privately delighted by her attitude.

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Hannibal got up first and after a shower started breakfast. It was good to have someone to cooks for and Clarice was appreciative of his culinary skills, which added to his enjoyment.

As soon as the smell hit the bedroom, Clarice was up, took a quick shower and after casually throwing on jeans and a sweater, made her way downstairs.

"Good morning" said Hannibal as she entered the kitchen.

"Good morning," she whispered, standing behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing him on the back of his neck.

She poured herself a cup of coffee and stood beside him, waiting for him to plate their breakfast.

They ate quietly for a while and then Clarice broke the silence.

"Do you suppose you could extend the lease here so we can stay a couple of more weeks, perhaps until the wedding?. Barney could stay with us, there are enough bedrooms here that we could still have plenty of privacy, and it will be kind of quaint."

"I suppose we could, I'll call the landlord after breakfast." He has planning " then we will go to town and call Barney, get more groceries, maybe some books, magazines, and whatever else you might want."

"Any interesting news yet?" Clarice asked casually, getting up and raising the volume of the TV.

"Nothing, so far. Lets wait till the end of the broadcast."

…A man, identified as a retired FBI veteran was killed yesterday in the streets of Paris in the middle of a crowd. Jack Crawford, who once headed the Behavioral Science section of the FBI was identified by his fingerprints early this morning.

Seriously wounded during what appears to be a pickpocket attempt that went sour, Mr. Crawford bleed to death before the arrival of the ambulance. Arrangements are being made by the US Embassy, to fly the remains back to the US. In view of similar unfortunate incidents in the crowded streets of Paris, the authorities announced there is no reason to suspect any foul play.

"Dear God!," said Clarice.

"Hannibal ," he corrected

She laughed, "How many undetected murders have you actually gotten away with?"

He turned his head to one side, smiled and winked.

She chuckled and shook her head, ever so slowly, then started to laugh.

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OK folks, this is IT for now. I suppose in the next chapter we get to see Barney,

Please, remember that comments are always encouraging.

Clariz