Chapter Twenty One: We Meet Again
"Little Starling." A taunting voice sounds from next the mausoleum sounds.
Starling doesn't turn towards the sound, she doesn't want to start talking in the direction of the mausoleum and cause suspicion so she looks at her mother's headstone instead.
"Doctor?"
"Yes. Very good by the way, not looking in my direction."
"There is FBI all over the place, how did you get in?"
"Never mind that. Your mother's headstone is quite beautiful."
"Thanks, I picked it out."
"Clarice M. Starling. Beloved mother and friend. Simple and modest just like your mom."
"Mmm hmm."
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Pardon?"
"You packed up everything. Where are you going?"
"How'd you— I don't know, but I have to get away. I just found out that you were right. The FBI is just using me to bait you. My bodyguard is even in on it, they're threatening his family. I'm just causing more problems than I'm worth."
"You are running away then?"
"I know it's not the wisest of ideas. I really don't have a choice. Now do I? I don't have a clue what I'm doing or where I'm going. I just know that I have to get away from the FBI's custody. They're going to end up hurting someone on my account. And I just won't stand for it."
"Very brave of you Starling."
"How long have you been here?"
"Since early this morning. Before the FBI arrived. They're not as sly as they think they are. Don't look right now. There's a sniper above the mausoleum next to the federal funeral."
Starling cuts a small glance in the direction. She spots the sniper. His weapon pointed in her direction. Starling takes in a deep breath.
"They want you down bad. Don't they Dr. Lecter?"
"Yes little Starling. They would very much like to take me down today."
"Eddie's worried about you snatching me out of here. He knows you can do it and no one would be able to stop you."
"Your bodyguard has a right to be worried. He apparently doesn't know about our meeting yesterday."
"I'm sure he doesn't or he would have said something this morning. Why were you watching me Dr. Lecter?"
"Just checking in. Observing if you will."
"Making sure I really wasn't FBI." She adds.
"Not at all. I have complete confidence that you aren't working for the bureaucrats."
"Thank you Dr. Lecter for trusting me." Starling smiles.
"Are you still scared of me little Starling?"
"A little bit. Why do you ask doctor?"
"You're shaking."
Starling looks at her hands, indeed she is shaking. She realizes that it isn't because of Dr. Lecter. He hadn't done anything to scare her yet. But because of the stress of getting caught. The FBI was in running distance. If they made Lecter, could he get away? Starling gasps as her cell phone rang. She looks to Lecter. He doesn't seem to show any interest.