He stared at her, his lips split in a malign grin that Clarice remembered far-to well.

"Why, hello Clarice."

"Hello Dr. Lecter."

"It's been a long time Clarice."

"Almost a year, Doctor."

She was aware of the quavering note in her voice. She was sure that Lecter would notice, and that he would play off of her fear.

"Yes. That's quite some time. Tell me Clarice, have the lambs stopped screaming?"

"Doctor, I'm not here to discuss my past."

"No, you're not. You need my help again."

"Yes. That is correct sir."

"Why so formal Clarice? We're friends here."

"I wouldn't go that far Doctor."

He was prying. She could feel him under her skin, slowly scanning her mind for anything that might act as a doorway into her head. Lecter surveyed her for a minute, and then stood up. He walked across his cell, and sat upon the bed. He surveyed her from the bed. He looked like a dragon, perched and waiting for the kill.

"Doctor, I'm here..."

"How's Mr. Crawford Clarice?"

Clarice was taken aback by the interruption. She quickly recovered.

"He's doing fine sir."

"Has he promoted you since our last encounter?"

His voice was passive. She hated it.

"Yes sir. He has."

"You're no longer his student."

"No Doctor, I'm not."

"I'll bet that makes mommy and daddy very proud."

He was digging, getting deeper into her mind. She had to keep him out somehow.

"Doctor, there's..."

"You don't like Mr. Crawford much, do you Clarice?"

"I don't understand sir."

"Mr. Crawford. You and he don't get along well."

There was a slight pause as Clarice thought about the question. Why did he always have to be right?

"We have our differences."

"Oh yes. Innocent little Clarice Starling, a victim of the system."

"Dr. Lecter, I don't understand what you're saying."

"May I see your credentials Ms. Starling?"

"Might I inquire as to why Doctor?"

"I would like to see how you've grown since our last encounter."

"There's no need for that Doctor."

"On the contrary Clarice, there is dire need."

There was a pause. Clarice knew that she must have been wearing her emotions on her sleeves. Damn him. He was too smart. He had found a way in.

"Certainly, Doctor."

She had set her purse down beside the chair when she had sat down. She now reached down and picked it up, setting it in her lap. She opened the snap, and pulled out her black leather wallet. She unzipped the zipper, and withdrew her ID carrier, and opened it. She held the open ID up to the glass in front of Lecter.

Lecter stood up, and walked to the glass. He surveyed the card for a moment, and then smiled even more menacingly at her.

"Thank you Clarice."

"Certainly Doctor."

She folded up the carrier, and placed it back into her purse. She sat back down.

Lecter continued to stand, but he took a few steps back from the glass as though he knew that Clarice wanted him as far away from her as he could be. There was silence from the cell. Clarice couldn't stand it.

"Dr. Lecter, there's another serial killer."

"Yes. The newspapers have said so. This one's only gotten a few, not nearly as many as Buffalo Bill."

"No sir. He hasn't. Three to date."

"What makes this one tick Clarice?"

"We're not sure..."

"You mean the FBI is not sure? Or you're not sure Ms. Starling?"

"Doctor, this one doesn't covet. He doesn't partake in foreplay before he murders. The only similarity between the victims is the fact that they're all male. But I'm sure you already knew that."

"Yes Clarice. I did."

There was a slight pause.

"You're keeping something from me Doctor."

"Am I Clarice?"

"Yes. I can see it in your eyes. There's something that you know."

Lecter chuckled. A deep, menacing chuckle. A chill ran down Clarice's spine.

"Very good Clarice. You can see inside me. No longer shall I lie to you. Your killer, does she have a name?"

"She?"

"Yes. A man did not commit these crimes. Somewhere in you, you've always known that Clarice."

"Doctor, how do you know..."

"Quick-pro-quo Clarice."

Clarice stopped. She knew this game. This was the game that unlocked the secrets of her past.

"I don't have time for this Dr. Lecter."

"Ah, but you know it's required."

"I'm not playing this, this twisted game with you Doctor!"

Right at that moment, there was a commotion from the first cell along the passage. Clarice turned and looked. Lecter however, kept his eyes fixed on Clarice, trying to reach into her mind.

Barnie was running down the hallway, towards Clarice. Clarice turned, and looked back at Lecter. She started when she saw the intensity at which he was staring at her. A pair of hands took hold of Clarice's shoulders, and gently pulled her up and out of the chair.

"Ms. Starling, we have to get you out of here! One of the inmates is making an escape attempt!"

Clarice followed Barnie, not taking her eyes off of Lecter. Lecter lifted his hand, and waved to Clarice as she was escorted out of the hallway, and back into the control room.

As they passed the first cell, Clarice took in the amount of damage inflicted by the inmate. He had gouged one of the two guard's eyes out with the razor, and had proceeded to slitting his throat. In that time, the other guard had managed to restrain the man, and render him unconscious. Blood was streaming from the dead guard. A radio hissed, and voices cold be heard approaching the site. Barnie and Clarice had reached the control room.

CLANK.