Here is the first part and I've included my character Alan Sharpe who I used in Shattered Life (the Paul Krendler protege) for those who haven't read my first fic. As usual the disclaimer applies that the characters belong to Thomas Harris but the plot is mine.
Please keep the reviews coming - they help inspire me to write more even quicker and I'm still looking for a beta to edit my work if anyone is interested.
Death Trap
Part One – Setting Out
"Why you? I mean of all the cases why did I get stuck with frigid Frieda in her dark dungeon?"
"Because kissing Krendler's arse will only get you to the same level of power as his level of intellect. Not very high is it Agent Sharpe?" Clarice smiled fakely before turning back to her computer screen.
"God I can't believe this. There are people out there doing work that is actually going to make a difference in the world and I'm here, bored to death, while you trace some old x-ray,"
"What work were you thinking about Sharpe? Undercover operations, drug busts and shoot outs. Do you really believe that if you shoot the bad guys they'll give you a medal?" Anger was now flashing behind Clarice's eyes. "Well I'm sorry to disappoint you but the FBI's is not like that,"
"Jeez who blew your fuse Starling?" Sharpe edged closer. One of his inane qualities was his continued desire to open any can of worms he discovered and right now his aim was to pry a little deeper. Just because I have a chance of getting to the top one day Starling is no reason for you to be jealous."
Clarice stared at him, unmoving ice cool eyes that appeared to penetrate right through. "Crawling up the career ladder, while worshipping those around you is a pitiable excuse for a life. You want a position where you can order others around you to try and make up for something. Let me guess. A shit childhood where mummy and daddy were always fighting with each other until poor little Alan came along and they thought it would be even better to take it out on him. Am I wrong?"
Sharpe's face twitched to the side as abuse beyond simple insults knocked him so very close to the line of control. His hands had clenched tightly and if his nails had been uncut they would be drawing thin lines of blood. Yet he merely stood there, unsure of what he should do and of Starling's future intentions.
Clarice abruptly stood up and ripped a sheet from the printer. She cared little that she could have received a punch in the face from Sharpe and even less about his possible damaged emotional state.
Breezing past him she tossed an "I'm done for today," flippantly over her shoulder before heading home to a large Jack Daniels.
Clarice sat alone in her duplex. Ardelia had gone out for the night leaving the building unusually quiet. The television had started off as a distraction but Clarice had switched it off when she found her mind had been wandering far away from the subject matter.
The x-ray had proved Doctor Lecter had now gone to extreme lengths to alter his appearance. Mason's information had provided her with little else as she was sure the Doctor was now very far away from the surgery he had visited.
Glancing at the clock Clarice realised in less than three hours it would be her birthday. She frowned then, what a great celebration she would have this year. Sad and lonely.
The phone ringing interrupted her train of thought and she scrambled off the couch to go and answer it. On the fifth ring Clarice grabbed it from the kitchen counter.
"Hello"
"Agent Starling?"
Clarice grimaced at the distinct voice. "Um, Mr Verger what do you want?"
"He's here. I came with two police officers but he killed them and he said he'd kill me too. I need your help Agent Starling. You can tell him to stop,"
Clarice was momentarily lost after this message. It took her another 20 seconds to repeat it in her head dropping the harsh accent to make sure she understood exactly what he was saying.
"Where are you?"
"17 Falcion Way, you know the big disused building,"
"Yes," Starling scribbled the address on a piece of paper. "I'll be there in 10 minutes, tell him I'm coming,"
The phone cut off then and Clarice slammed it down before running to get her gun and shoving it in her bag. She did not even consider calling the FBI for backup. Was this because she did not fear Doctor Lecter or because she was over confident in her own abilities?
Grabbing her keys she flung open the door and stepped out so quickly she could not stop herself crashing into the man outside.
"Shit," the collision knocked her backwards but she regained her footing quickly.
"Jesus Starling if I knew you were literally going to walk all over me I wouldn't have even bothered coming,"
"God Sharpe what the hell are you doing here?"
"The x-ray came back from the lab after you left and Crawford told me to bring along the findings. I don't see why it couldn't wait until tomorrow but he said you would want to know now,"
"I've got no time for this. Mason's called and he said Dr Lecter's here!" Clarice didn't know why she was telling Sharpe this, maybe to try and get him to leave.
"Holy shit where?"
"Falcion Way, I have to go now!" Starling shouted before walking to her car.
If I was to arrest one of the Top Ten Most Wanted. Sharpe was already imagining himself promoted firing Crawford's annoying arse.
"I'm coming with you Starling," he wrenched open the passenger door and had barely closed it before Starling had shot off down the road.
10 Minutes after Starling had set out with her unwanted accomplice a sleek supercharged black Jaguar purred silently up to her door. The car door opened and a figure dressed in black got out. He carried in his hand a small bag which he set down while he picked to lock.
Shutting the door behind him Hannibal explored the whole duplex and concluded that Starling was nowhere to be found. Yet he could smell that scent he remembered from his dungeon days. L'Air du Temps and Evyan skin cream. She had been here recently. Returning to the kitchen Hannibal picked up a small scrap of paper.
17 Falcion Way.
But why would you go there Little Starling he mused, I think I will have to go and find out.