Shattered Life

Part eight – Friend's Interrogation

"Clarice, Clarice can you hear me? It's OK Clarice you're safe."

"Hannibal?"

"No, Clarice it's me. Don't you remember?"

"Ardelia?"

"Yes, I'm here Clarice."

She was tired again and someone else had just entered the room leaving the doors swinging on their hinges. Before she slipped back into the dark Clarice's mind formulated the one question she had and the word was mumbled quietly.

"Baby?"

Ardelia looked like she was half smiling and half about to burst into tears.

"Your baby is fine Clarice."

Love for her friend battled with anger, confusion and betrayal over what she had done. There was so much she had to ask but the doctor was already ushering her out so he could examine his patient.

Ardelia glanced quickly back to Clarice who had promptly fallen back to sleep once hearing the news about her child. A small smile seemed to play across her exhausted face.

Wandering down the corridor Ardelia folded her arms and sank into the nearest chair. What a mess this is, isn't it girl she questioned herself. Trying to block out the hustle and bustle of the busy hospital she was dismayed to be able to hear Sharpe stamp and curse his way back towards her.

"Well. What did the doctor say? It's not enough that she drags us here but she has to stay for almost a bloody week. When can we talk to her, huh? I want a full confession soon, or …"

"Or what hmm?" Ardelia snapped back stemming the flow of questions. "She has just gone through major surgery and you want her banged to rights while lying in a hospital bed. Well I'm sorry to disappoint you but, er, you see…

…well she's still unconscious and the doctor said she won't be up to talking with us probably not until the day after tomorrow. So you might as well go home now and come back Saturday. I'll come in tomorrow and check on her but I strongly doubt she's going to attempt a miraculous escape."

"Fine," muttered Sharpe, somehow managing to sound sarcastic and sulky at the same time. He strode off but turned around long enough to yell back.

"You know what I should have known you'd have stayed loyal to your wacko friend. When this is over Ardelia you'll be lucky to have a job at the FBI let alone have a position you any sort of power like I have. You just wait; when you trip up I'll have the evidence to make sure you don't come back!"

"Oh," Sighing Ardelia watched as he resumed his path to the exit. Great now she had Sharpe on her case as well as a ex friend knocked up by the worlds most wanted lying in the room next door.

Well, at least she had all of tomorrow to talk to Clarice. What about she had tonight to figure out. At least Sharpe would hopefully stay away, that lie would mean he could stay at home doing nothing – a Sharpe speciality. Preparing to settle in for an uneasy night Ardelia glanced back once more to Clarice's room before trudging back to her car.

Meanwhile another pair of eyes snapped open recording surroundings. In Clarice's head an entirely different plan was being drawn up.

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Well it's finally here with a promise of more coming up.

Reviews much appreciated – please keep them coming so I know you want me to continue.

xxkatyxx

Disclaimer: The plot is mine but the characters belong to Thomas Harris.