We all know what characters belong to T. Harris. I just borrowed them for fun, there is no financial profit involved.

I am aware that it took me longer than usual to upload this chapter, and for that, I apologize.

Thanks again, to all of you who took the time to review this fiction. I just hope you all enjoy it.

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Exchanges, Chapter XXII

Patching up the Wounds


Sal Maugeri pulled Hannibal aside, and after exchanging a few words; the two approached his son in law and asked a series of questions. Once seemingly satisfied with the answers, they moved away from Delponte and walked towards the door whispering, conferred for a moment, nodded in agreement and Sal left the room.

Hannibal Lecter turned, calmly walked towards Clarice and winked genially; then lifted Rachel Rosencranz and placed her on one of the several sofas in the huge livingroom. She was still semiconscious while the doctor examined her briefly. Once satisfied with the examination, he pulled Clarice aside and chuckling, commented lightly "Our Rachel just fainted from the excitement, nothing serious. It's a good thing she didn't attempt to attack Delponte, she might have scared herself to death if she did."

"Where on earth do you suppose she got that Harpy?" Clarice asked with a meaningful smile.

"The Harpy…" marveled Hannibal. "I gave her that Harpy on a whim seventeen years ago. Even taught her how to use it. It's rather astonishing that she kept it all these years."

"Not really," murmured Clarice, more to herself than in answer to his comment.

"When she is fully conscious, please tell her Sal has gone to see about her husband." Then as in second thought he suggested, "It would be a good idea to find out what was the connection, between Rachel and Delponte."

Without another word, he proceeded to his next patient.

Luke Maugeri was sitting next to his mother on the sofa where she and Clarice originally sat. Lucy was applying pressure to the wound, in a successful effort to stop the bleeding.

"Luke, it's good to see you, even under these unfortunate circumstances." said Dr. Lecter after kissing Lucy on the cheek. "Seems just like old times, hmm?" he smiled affectionately at the younger man. "How do you feel?"

"Good to see you too, Dr. Lecter..." Answered the younger man with a grin. "I feel pretty good, actually."

"Very well, then; back at your parents Villa, I have all the necessary supplies to take proper care of your wound in a very satisfactory manner. I have morphine and scalpels, sutures, needles, dressing packs, antibiotics, the whole works. What I suggest, if you permit me, is that for now, we control the bleeding and cover up the wound. When we get back to the Villa, I'll remove the bullet under anesthesia and patch you up. What do you say?"


"Whatever you think is best is good for me."

"Lucy, why don't I wash my hands and start working?" the doctor said, looking around the room.

Lucy pointed him in the direction of the nearest bathroom.

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As she began to recover from her fainting spell, Rachel Rosencranz felt ashamed and dismayed. She worried about her husband health, as well as his reaction to the events that would come to light . Rachel was deeply troubled, and in need of someone to help her sort what appeared as a mêlée of insurmountable proportion.

She looked at Clarice, and reached for her hand. Tried to talk but had difficulty speaking, which added to her sense of helplessness. She had always been whimsical, but only once in her entire life had been in a position that required a back bone. "Heck, I didn't even put up a fight," she said to herself, pushing aside a number of regrets that didn't belong in this conflict.

Clarice, anticipating her need to communicate, whispered, "You'll be fine, Rachel, take a deep breath and tell me how I can help."

"Paolo Delponti was blackmailing me for years," Rosencranz panted, almost inaudibly. The few words seemed to exhaust her and she leaned back on the sofa. Her eyes fell on Clarice's, as if asking for emotional support. "Paolo stole some letters I wrote to Hannibal while he was… detained." Two tears rolled down her cheek; and Clarice felt sympathy for her predicament. "The letters were of personal nature and rather emotional in content, they would have caused Franz serious embarrassment if they were made public."

Rachel appeared more at ease as she went on. "It was the content of the letters rather than the fact that they were addressed to Hannibal what made them compromising, but one couldn't underestimate the publicity value of Hannibal being the recipient."

Clarice patted her hand reassuringly, "I'm sure that Hannibal will take care of this for you; he'll have no difficulty getting the letters back from Paolo. Then, you will have a chance to decide what to tell your husband."

Rachel was crying softly, her head still leaned against the couch seemingly exhausted.

"Hannibal," Clarice said trying to attract his attention.

He silently turned his head in her direction and she gestured.

"I'll be there as soon as I finish." he said, answering her unspoken request.


When Dr. Lecter finally approached them he reached for Clarice's hand and looked at her inquisitively.

"Rachel has something to tell you Hannibal," Clarice said; then, turning to Rachel. "Go ahead, tell him what's been going on"

As Rosencranz repeated her story, Hannibal Lecter's face seemed to transform in front of their eyes.

His characteristic intense calm was not disturbed, but his physiognomy shifted as his eyes turned a deep shinny burgundy with red sparkles, his mouth set in a curious manner as he appeared to clench is back teeth, whereas his front ones were slightly exposed and his nostrils flared almost imperceptibly.

Both women seemed fascinated by the change of his entire expression.

 
Hannibal Lecter didn't say one word, he turned silently, and graceful as a cat, walked towards the sofa where Delponte laid with his head propped up on two pillows, eyes closed, bearing an expression of quiet suffering which appeared rather comical under the circumstances; specially because he kept his arms propped up, unsuccessfully trying to prevent the blood to seep out of the wounds.

The doctor stood silently beside him staring down with a look so chilling it sent a shiver down Clarice's spine. He then slowly took one of the Harpys out of his jacket pocket and opened it with his thumb in one fast move. The blade clicked audibly in place, and Hannibal Lecter glanced at it, and then at Paulo, while keeping the Harpy upright; the blade waiting like a vicious claw. He then leaned over Delponte and talked to him in a whisper. His expression reminded Clarice of that in the video of his attack on the nurse all those years ago in Baltimore.

Rachel held her breath, occasionally letting the air out, just to take yet another deep breath and hold it, waiting for the next development, immobile and fascinated.

Hannibal, calm and collected, continued to interrogate Paulo Delponte, alternating between moving the Harpy slowly back and forth across the other man's neck and casually pointing it to his face.

When he seemed satisfied he stood up, calmly folded the Harpy and placed it back in his pocket.

His expression was serene when he looked at the two women and smiled mischievously, then playfully winked at Clarice, said "Ta" and left the room.

Rachel and Clarice exchanged silent glances, both curiously amused. Rachel chuckled and murmured, "that was interesting…"

After a pause, they both looked at each other and began to laugh. From the other side of the room Lucy and Luke joined them, while Paolo Delponte moaned.



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Hannibal Lecter returned to the room as silently as he had left. He carried a small bundle in his left hand, and swiftly approached Rachel Rosencranz. "I read these letters endless times Rachel, and I am certain they are all here." He handled her the bundle with a grin.

"Thank you Hannibal," she said softly. "But I'd much rather you keep them and destroy them for me. If it's not too much to ask."

"Not at all" Hannibal replied, handling the letters to Clarice who got up to fetch her bag from across the room and carefully placed them in it.



"OK" sighed the doctor gracefully turning around to address Luke Maugeri, "how is my patient doing?"

"Fine," responded Luke with another broad grin. "I have to add I enjoyed your repartee with the fallen fool, it was a sight to behold, and we all got a well needed laugh out of it."

"Always glad to amuse!" responded a gracious Hannibal Lecter with a chuckle. He then walked to a liquor cart on the side of the room and asked, charmingly. "Anyone care for a drink, while we wait for Sal's return?" then added  "you better not have alcohol, Luke, due to your injury."

Everyone accepted, oblivious to the man bleeding on the sofa. Nobody suggested that the doctor to treat him either.



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