Sorry for the wait I've been on holiday in Florence. Disclaimer: The plot is mine but the characters belong to Thomas Harris.
I want to thank my new beta JetNoir for helping me with this chapter.

Reviews much appreciated.

Death Trap

Part Two – Killers and Trappers

A dark night sky had swept over Washington bringing with it a choking cover of black cloud that fell so low it appeared to cast its own foreboding shadows.

Clarice pulled her Mustang partially off the road and backed into one of the disused garages. The only noises came from loading her colt .45 before she stepped out and locked up the car.

The initial adrenaline rush seemed to have worn off Sharpe and he now seemed painstakingly aware of exactly what he was doing. His fingers fumbled slightly as he clicked the safety of his gun causing him to curse into the silence.

"Quiet," Clarice muttered. She now wished she had been on her own, not with this egotistical jerk that would, in no doubt, sell his story of how he bravely overcame an evil madman: Hannibal Lecter, to The Tattler and any other newspaper in a five mile radius.

The pair slowly began to make their way passed the empty warehouses, edging closer to the largest building visible which was number 17. Their progress was slowed as Starling checked each alleyway they walked by. Not that it was a great help she thought, ten criminals could be hiding in the darkness armed to the teeth. But it would be unwise to switch on a light as it would draw far too much unwanted attention.

Carlo, Piero and Tommaso were waiting together in number 17 Falcion Way. It had been a quarter of an hour since Mason had phoned giving them the news that Clarice was on her way. So far they had not heard anything that would indicate someone was approaching so Carlo had sent his two boys outside to get a better view.

"Remember," he warned them, "Mason wants her alive so hit her with the tranquilliser. If she dies you know you're as good as dead too,"

Piero set himself up to the side of the steps in front of the building; he held a small handgun, whereas Tommaso, who carried the tranq, walked out further into the darkness and crouched behind the large garbage cans. They gave him adequate cover but a slightly restricted view.

Starling and Sharpe had now made it to the side road that would lead them up to their destination. Peering round the corner Starling scanned the area and saw no sign of movement. She motioned to Sharpe to go around behind her and he began walking down the right of the street while Clarice edged over to the left.

They were halfway down the intimidating alley when the attack happened. Sharpe had been too busy gazing up at the building to notice where his feet were going. He stumbled over some old cardboard boxes before knocking over one of the garage cans.

It was then that Tommaso leapt from his hiding place and fired at Sharpe. The tranquiliser dart hit him squarely in the shoulder, but Tommaso heard the distinct male cry and shouted to Piero, "She's not alone!"

Sharpe had slumped sideways against the wall as the drugs began to take effect. He raised his gun and tried to shoot at his assailant but the bullets flew wide and merely smashed some half broken windows.

Piero immediately began to return fire. His clearer vision gave him an easy target.

"FBI, put your gun down!" shouted Clarice. She started running towards Piero, who turned to face her. Clarice threw herself to the ground as bullets ripped through the air where her head had been just moments before.

"Don't shoot her!" Clarice heard the shouts as she frantically crawled towards the garbage cans. Her wrist, which had stopped her smashing her head when she dived, was now throbbing and she was trying to calm her shallow quick breaths.

It had gone quiet once more and Clarice couldn't see anyone in the darkness. She reached out her hand but instantly withdrew it when she found it was covered in blood.

A slow panic washed over her but then there was a hiss and a bright light flickered near number 17. Carlo had run out and lit a flare, which he now threw down the alley. It left a burning trail across the sky before falling and landing barely 5 feet from Clarice.

The scene illuminated showed a woman hunched close to the body of a man. Clarice could now clearly see Sharpe sprawled out in the road. One of Piero's shots had compacted in the side of his head and others were lodged in his chest. Starling was sitting in a pool of blood, none of which appeared to be her own.

Launching to her feet she sprinted across the alley trying desperately to get out of the light. Slamming into the opposite wall she turned and tried to head back to the main road.

Tears from the exertion lined her face as she reached the corner.

The blow from Piero's weapon knocked her sideways. Clarice fell and lay unmoving in the alley.

More footsteps were heard approaching. "Where is she?"

"I got her, don't worry,"

Tommaso stepped closer, "She isn't…"

"Out cold,"

A small moan from Clarice caused them to turn but she made no attempt to get up.

"Help me get her inside. And you better clear up that other mess as well," he jerked his head to where Sharpe lay.

Once back inside the old building Piero carried Starling into a room near the back. The cut that the barrel of his gun had made on her head had stopped bleeding but one side of her face was now completely red.

The room had no windows and only one door. The walls were bare with peeling murky grey paint. Clarice was tied to a chair in the middle.

Carlo had reappeared to watch over the proceedings. When he was satisfied he retreated to another room carrying with him a cell phone.

He returned minutes later to talk with Piero and Tommaso.

"Mason's just called," he said.

Fixing his eyes on Clarice he smiled.

"There's been a change of plan,"