HANNIBAL AND CLARICE-TOGETHER

Clarice tossed the tangled sheets aside and rolled off the bed. As soon as her feet hit the plush pile of the vintage Persian rug she ran across the bedroom to the closet and threw open the door. She quickly dragged out a large gym bag and reached within tearing clothing from it. She tossed unwanted garments over her shoulder until she found the loose fitting clothes she had been seeking.

Clarice hopped around as she quickly stuffed her legs into her sweat pants, dragged a sweat shirt over her head but chose to remain barefoot. Time was of the essence and she had to forgo the shoes to retrieve something far more important.

Ex- Special Agent Starling quickly moved to her luggage and opened an inside compartment. She lifted the Yaqui slide and withdrew her weapon from the streamlined holster.

She hefted the Colt .45 government model, with a strip of skateboard tape affixed to the grip and took two speed loaders and stuffed them into her pocket. Though she had never officially retired from the FBI, no one thought to ask what happened to her weapon. It was a part of her and she wasn't about to volunteer to return it.

She lifted and cocked it. "Hide my Ass! If you're going downstairs, I'm going too!"

As soon as he caught the scent of the intruder, Hannibal knew she would not stay in the bedroom. She would never be that kind of woman. She would never hide. Not from anything or anyone. Not even from him. He loved her for it.

"Brave Clarice…would you at least allow me to be Primary?"

"Sure, I'll be Secondary. Do you have your Harpy?"

"Yes of course and Clarice…for the baby. Stay back. I have no idea who it is or what they want. I only know it is a male."

"I'll stay back. I just want to make sure you're safe, H."

Hannibal reached for his wife and kissed her. He then extended an arm and moved her protectively behind him.

"Follow my Love…but not too closely."

"Understood."

Hannibal moved out of the bedroom and into the hallway displaying what Clarice believed was surprising speed and agility for a man his age. He did all of this without making a sound.

God how do you do that, H? It looks so natural. An old lion…but a lion still.

Clarice was spellbound. She had never seen him in this mode. He was Predator stalking Prey. She was trained to do this. It was drilled and drilled into her brain but it did not come naturally to her. She acquired the abilities through years of practice. Earlier in her training, many mistakes were made.

Remember to watch the corner Clarice… it's your weak spot.

Hannibal's eyes were everywhere, their glowing crimson rotated like the beacons of a lighthouse, ever searching. Clarice strained, narrowing her eyes and still she could barely see. She fixed her sights on her husband's back knowing that he would keep her safe. After all his eyes could see clearly in the low light and his sense of smell was even more reliable. For her husband, with his unusual gifts, this was natural. He moved with his body at an odd angle, his right shoulder leading and his body leaning slightly forward.

He slices through space and barely displaces the air around him.

Clarice watched his muscles shifting very slowly. He had not bothered with a shirt. He craned his neck, searching the air, his nostrils flaring. He turned to Clarice, waved a hand and pointed down the stairs.

Okay, H…I get it. He's not on this level.

Clarice nodded her understanding.

Hannibal moved along the stairs, leaning on the bannister to allow him a better angle of view, he was crouched low. Still his nostrils flared. His eyebrows were forced together, bunching tightly above the bridge of his nose, his look one of caution and slight confusion.

He continued to move his head back and forth, up and down as if he formed a search pattern much like a grid for his olfactory senses. His Harpy in his hand, his arm was extended wide and low. Bowed at the waist he crossed one leg over the other as he advanced. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he allowed himself to relax slightly. He turned to Clarice.

"He is no longer in the home. I'm going outside. I want you to take the Mustang and go to Ardelia's. I will call you in two hours."

"What if you need the car?"

"I have a car. A BMW stored in a garage not far from here, but I'll not need it. This person left on foot or the scent would not be as strong as it is. I will follow until I lose the trail."

Clarice refused to entertain the thought. "And what if you don't lose the scent? What if you corner him in a dark alley or something like that."

"I will not attempt to make contact. I simply want to identify who this person is and what his intentions are. Go to Ardelia. I cannot follow him and leave you behind. If he doubles back you would be in great jeopardy. That is not an option. You must promise me."

Clarice stared into his pleading maroon eyes seeking his intention.

"H…Please…no contact. You must promise me…on my life and the life of our child that you won't approach. You will watch and gather information only. Promise me, H or I'll follow. You know I'll follow."

Hannibal was shifting uncomfortably, turning his head from side to side slowly as he searched the air. "I promise, Clarice…the scent is fading. You must leave now. I cannot follow until I know you are on your way to Ardelia."

Hannibal reached for a jacket. He placed it over his bare upper body, protection against the cold November air, and zipped it quickly.

He had moments only. "Now Clarice!"

He tossed her the set of keys to her new car. She snatched them from the air.

"Two hours, H…two hours that's all you get. I want a call."

"Yes, Clarice…two hours. I will call you. Do not return until that time."

Clarice grabbed a pair of running shoes she had left in the foyer, quickly put them on and walked out the front door. Hannibal followed and waited until she had pulled out and turned the corner. He set out trotting down the road the easy pace of the run no struggle. Hannibal shook his head quickly as if attempting to shake the offensive scent from his nasal passages.

Your cologne is thick and acrid…easy to track though not enjoyable. With the use of more soap, less cologne would be necessary my friend.

Clarice knew she wouldn't be able to follow on foot and the throaty sound of the mustang's powerful engine was very distinctive. She would have to track him from quite a distance not to be detected. Thankfully there weren't many people on the roads. He was obviously the only person running.

Okay, H…you'd better keep your promise. Just take a nice jog and come back home.

Hannibal was having no difficulty for the first several minutes following the odiferous intruder. Clarice was having no difficulty following Hannibal…until he stopped.

What the hell, H?

In the blink of an eye, Hannibal's body language changed dramatically. He stiffened his posture and lowered his head, which had previously been turned upward searching the air. He pulled the collar of his jacket up around his face.

Clarice pulled over quickly realizing that if she overtook him while driving, the car would be far too easy to spot. She watched. He was three blocks ahead of her and on the right side of the road. It was a one way road so she was able to pull to the curb quickly and park on the left hand side, diagonally opposite Hannibal. The street was residential with people walking dogs and many residents entering and exiting their homes. Unusual activity for this time of night but as it was a holiday week no doubt preparations were being made.

Hannibal's heart beat slowed as he stood very still and consciously lowered his heart rate. Danger was approaching. He needed to be calm and ready.

He is nearer than he was. He is now moving toward me.

Hannibal continued to move, appearing as if searching his pockets for something. His head was very low but his eyes were up and focused. He removed a set of keys from his pocket and fumbled through them as if seeking a certain key.

Suddenly his head shifted so quickly it caught Clarice's attention. Hannibal's eyes flashed red as a tall man passed him. Clarice understood exactly what was happening from Hannibal's demeanor alone.

Oh God! That's got to be him!

Clarice's heart was thumping so quickly in her chest that she believed it would split her sternum. She watched Hannibal take off running. Though he was fifty or more full paces behind the man, he was closing quickly and at a distance that Clarice believed was no longer safe. She watched as her husband reached into his pocket and snapped his arm outward. There was a flash as the light from a street lamp caught metal. The Harpy was in his hand.

No, H! God no! There are people everywhere!

The man extended his arm forward, pointing something.

Hannibal was three or four steps behind. He bent low as he eyed his target, the man's Achilles tendons.

Clarice stepped out of the mustang with her Colt held tightly and her thumb moving over the course tape designed to enhance her grip. She kept her arm low and out of sight.

Go anywhere near my husband and I'm gonna light you up!

Suddenly Clarice heard a chirp. The man had a car. Just as he moved to the driver's side and swung the door open, Hannibal moved past. The man was no longer a threat. He pocketed his Harpy, turned his head and quickly made note of the make, model, and plate number.

Hannibal was walking briskly toward her. She decided it would be best not to move. Movement would draw his eye to her. He reached for his cell phone and dialed Clarice.

Her phone rang out loudly. She had a distinctive ring tone for Hannibal. Bach.

Hannibal recognized it immediately and sought her location. It took less than a second for him to see her. He was not pleased but, he was not surprised.

He approached the car, his body now relaxed. "You made me a promise, Clarice. You did not keep it."

"Didn't look like you intended to keep yours either, H."

"I believed he was heading back to our home. I would have you safe, Clarice."

"I would have you safe too, H." Clarice braced herself for his anger. She had lied to him. He would not be happy. "I tried but Ardelia wasn't home so...I was in the area so I thought you might need a ride."

Hannibal sensed her deception immediately though instead of the anger Clarice expected, he smiled widely at her.

You were worried about me my Love?

He walked to the passenger side door and waited for Clarice to unlock it. As he entered the vehicle he leaned over to kiss her. She was thrilled and kissed him eagerly. She had been expecting his wrath not his affection.

"Not at home was she?"

"No...not home."

He took out his cell phone and moved to make a call. She held onto his hand, stopping him.

"Who'ya calling H?"

"Logan."

"Okay…I'm busted. I didn't call Ardelia. I was too worried about you."

Hannibal put his phone away.

"I love you as well, Clarice."

She started the car and began the drive back to their home.

"So, what do we do now, H?" She asked as she attempted to concentrate on driving.

"We upgrade the security system tomorrow. I will remain awake tonight just in case our friend friend returns...did you see any sign of forced entry?"

"No as a matter of fact I didn't."

"That being the case we must assume this person has a key. I am quite certain I secured the doors before we retired to our bedroom and all of the windows are locked as well. We must have all of the locks changed as well."

"How would he get it? Who would have a key, H?"

"Many years ago I gave a key to Emilia. When I was initially incarcerated I asked her to secure the home for me. She did return the key to my attorney but I must assume that a copy was made. It would seem that not only did she keep a copy of the key she has obviously passed it along to a friend. I'm afraid we must be extremely cautious from this point forward. A friend of Emilia's is not a friend of ours. That person will return and we must be exceedingly prepared when he does."

Clarice thought to herself that it was good she had the Colt. "If this person comes back…we'll be ready, H."

"Yes, my Love. Together…we will be ready."

Until the next chapter, my Friends!

LH