Clarice awoke with a start. She was lying on the couch, but she was now covered with a soft blanket. She flung it off and sat up stiffly. She padded into the kitchen, but stopped short when she saw the counter. On it sat a cup of hot, steaming coffee, a bowl of fresh berries, and a single magnolia in a vase.

Leaning against the vase was another stiff envelope addressed to her. Clarice picked it up and took the letter that was in it out. She carefully unfolded it and read the short note, hand trembling:

My Clarice,

I do hope the flower pleases you. I was looking forward to you sleeping in your new bedding. But after "playing" in the rain, you fell asleep on the couch. So please, keep the blanket there for future use.

I apologize for not staying last night. Maybe another time I will allow you to see and talk to me. Would that make you happy? Yes, I'm sure it would.

Tata,

H.

Clarice put the note back into the envelope. She stared at the cup of coffee for a moment before picking it up and taking a sip. She savored for a moment the sweet vanilla taste. Popping a tangy raspberry into her mouth, Clarice absentmindedly glanced at the clock.

"Shit!" she yelled. It was 8:45 A.M. She was late for her 8:00 A.M. meeting with Crawford and Krendler.

Clarice ran back into her room and flung the closet open. She pulled out a short dark navy skirt and a white silky blouse. Tossing them onto the bed, Clarice faltered for a moment at the sight of all the melted white candles.

"Come on, Starling. Don't think about that right now," she scolded herself. She pulled off her wrinkled shirt and sweatpants and paused, staring at herself in the mirror on the back of her door. She sighed in disgust at her ivory skin and smooth curves, accented perfectly by her lacy black lingerie. Clarice grabbed the skirt off the bed and yanked it on roughly. She slipped on the blouse and buttoned it up, tucking it into the skirt. Grabbing a pair of black, high-heeled sandals, Clarice sat on the bed to put them on. She abruptly stood up again. She had sat on something. Whipping the comforter back, Clarice gasped. Lying on the sheets was a diamond necklace and matching earrings.

Clarice slowly picked up the delicate necklace. It was simply a string of elegantly-cut diamonds, but she could tell it must have cost a fortune. Clarice had never been the one to wear jewelry, but she carefully put it on and admired the sparkling jewels in the mirror. It was beautiful. She then proceeded to put on the earrings, which sparkled at her ears.

Slipping on her sandals and running a brush through her hair finished Clarice's outfit. She didn't look in the mirror as she brushed her teeth and sprayed on a little perfume.

Clarice carefully locked her front door and walked down the front steps, the cold morning air stinging her bare legs. She unlocked the door to her 1989 Mustang, eyeing with concern the early stages of rust that were beginning to show. Starting the engine, Clarice winced at the whining that accompanied it.

"Please, oh please, just let me get to work," Clarice groaned, backing out of the driveway.