THE QUESTION

Hannibal had gone shopping to purchase a few fresh items for his Thanksgiving preparations. Thankfully he would not have to concern himself with Clarice's safety. The workers promised not to leave until his return in order to instruct him on the finer points of the security system. They probably would have promised anything to assure a few minutes without the discomfort of Hannibal appearing out of nowhere.

Hannibal was in the produce section choosing bundles of herbs when he spotted a woman eyeing him rather carefully. He searched his periphery to see it was Mrs. Douglass, one of the members of the Baltimore Symphony Board. She had not been invited to attend his dinner.

Hannibal spun quickly to see her still staring at him. Nostrils flared he searched the air quickly for fear. Sensing none, with a flourish of his hand he tipped his fedora, bowed at the waist and smiled.

"Mrs. Douglass it is very good to see you. It has been quite some time."

She was taken aback by his gracious greeting. "Hello, Doctor Lecter. I wasn't certain you would remember me. I see you are preparing for the holidays."

He shifted the contents of his basket making a mental note of the items still needed.

"Yes, there are always items that must be purchased last minute to ensure they are fresh."

She smiled. If the truth be told she had always had a bit of a crush on Hannibal. Though she was happily married and her husband was a kind man he didn't have much to offer in the romance department. She had heard whispers between some of the women Hannibal had taken out.

The thought of what they described made her blush even now. Her husband held no sway over her fantasies and Hannibal had always been so attentive that she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be with him. Seeing him now she found herself still mesmerized. "Cooking yourself or is your lovely wife preparing the meal?"

Hannibal laughed, "I will be preparing the meal. Clarice is very adept at a great many things however cooking is not among her talents."

The woman was elegant, quite petite and very close in age to Hannibal. She adjusted some items in her cart, obviously wanting to say something but having to work up the nerve to approach it. Taking a deep breath she seemed to have summoned the courage.

"In the past we had always had a very good relationship, Doctor…may I ask you a somewhat direct question?"

He could sense the anxiety and enjoyed it thoroughly. "Certainly and please call me Hannibal."

"Hannibal…" she giggled girlishly as she spoke his name. "…please call me Helena. You may choose not to answer as I am afraid it is rather indelicate, though I would really appreciate it if you would. This question has troubled me over the years. I don't want to offend you."

Hannibal could see the woman was genuinely affected by whatever question was on her mind. He had always found her intelligent and rather charming and wanted to ease her anxiety if at all possible, though not too soon.

Hannibal moved slightly to the side as if concerned at being overheard though he honestly could have cared less who might be listening. It was obvious the topic of the question would be his symphony soiree'.

"Of course I will be more than happy to set your mind at ease if I can. Please feel free to ask anything, I assure you I will not be offended."

The woman leaned forward in order not to be overheard. Hannibal leaned toward her as well, more to sense whether or not she would respond negatively to his proximity. She responded though not in fear. It was more…anticipation, longing. Hannibal smiled knowingly as she posed her question.

"You didn't invite me to your last soiree'. In hind sight I suppose I should thank you as your menu was…well… not to my taste but… I did wonder… why? Did you simply overlook me?"

A tad jealous not to be invited my dear? How charming.

Hannibal took a very deep breath as he shifted the bundles of herbs in his basket. Although his behavior made it appear as if the question caused him great discomfort, in truth it did not trouble him at all. The fact was that he enjoyed the affect he was having and wished to create a more dramatic atmosphere to enhance the experience. He reached for and took her hand though not for the sake of intimacy. He wanted to feel the increase in her pulse at the contact.

She gasped practically breathless with anticipation.

Hannibal spoke quietly the soothing tone of his voice caressed her ears.

"Shall I be honest with you, Helena?"

He could feel the pounding of her heartbeat at her pulse point when he used her given name. Noticing her response he leaned even closer to her. He could sense her attraction to him and he found it quite endearing.

She whispered to him, her eyes shifting about the aisle nervously as if she were a major player in the middle of a dangerous covert operation.

"Yes…please… Hannibal… it would mean a great deal to me and I promise that your answer will be held in the strictest confidence."

He leaned in making sure his lips almost touched her ear. Again, he could feel her heart pounding. Hannibal was exceedingly amused.

"Do you have any memory of the conversation we had two months prior to the evening of which you speak?"

Hannibal noticed very small beads of perspiration forming on her forehead. Her face was flushed.

This is fun!

"Yes I remember it quite well. We commiserated that the musicianship of Mr. Raspail was severely lacking and I promised you that I would bring the matter before the board."

Hannibal slipped his hand up and down her arm and looked into directly into her eyes. "And you did just that, didn't you?"

Her breath caught in her throat as she moved to speak.

"Yes, Hannibal I promised you I would so of course I did. I brought it up at the very next meeting three days after our conversation. Raspail was a terrible player but for reasons that still escape me he had many friends on the board. They wouldn't vote to have him removed."

Hannibal gently lifted her arm to his face and kissed her hand. Helena's cheeks flushed red as she saw a flash of herself reflecting in the deep maroon of his eyes.

"That promise kept to me is the precise reason you were not invited. You were the only person who seemed to find him as distasteful as did I, therefore the lack of an invitation was a courtesy extended to you for the courtesy you extended to me by bringing the matter before the board."

She sighed deeply emitting a long held exhalation of relief, "And all these years I thought you just overlooked me."

"Never Helena, believe me when I say that you are far too fine a woman to have ever been overlooked. If I am not being too indelicate had you not already been married you would not have had to wonder how I felt about you as I would have been exceedingly direct. The lack of an invitation was a gesture of gratitude and respect. As you stated so eloquently, I did not believe my menu would be suited to your refined tastes."

Hannibal released her hand and bowed. "If you will excuse me I must be getting back home to begin my preparations. Please give my best to your family and enjoy your Thanksgiving."

"Thank you Hannibal. My best to your wife as well…she is a very lucky woman."

"That is very kind of you to say. I will pass along your good wishes. Incidentally I purchased tickets to the Symphony's holiday concert. Will I be seeing you there?"

"Yes, of course as well as many of the other Board Members. There has been little change over the years."

"I am certain they will not be as gracious as you have been. I will undoubtedly be most unwelcome."

"All the more reason to come." she said with a rather devious grin.

"My sentiments exactly…it has been a pleasure, Mrs. Douglass."

He kissed her hand a final time and excused himself leaving the woman feeling quite pleased with the interaction and thrilled with his answer to the question that had haunted her. Hannibal mused that with the level of pheromones churning from Helena he thought that her husband might be treated to a little romance.

Hannibal quickly grabbed the remaining items and headed home driving his BMW retrieved earlier from the garage.

THE INTRODUCTION

Nico had not been aware to look out for an additional car and had not considered that Hannibal might be out. Seeing the Mustang already parked, he believed the couple to be in the home. When Hannibal's headlights turned the corner and moved to the front of the house, Nico quickly moved his vehicle to the opposite side of the street.

As Hannibal exited his vehicle his heart started to hammer within his chest. His senses had obviously picked up on something that consciously he had not. He searched the area to identify why his body was reacting so strongly. He stepped out of the car and caught the foul stench.

Where are you? I can smell you…where are you hiding?

Hannibal's eyes searched the darkness. It was autumn and the sun now set much earlier. He closed his car door, locked it and moved forward until he was standing in the middle of the street. He lifted his chin and allowed his nostrils to search, inhaling deeply to draw in the crisp November air.

Nico watched Hannibal's movement with great curiosity.

He sniffs at the air like a wolf. Not fully a man…not fully an animal. I have no worries. I am all animal.

Nico was not afraid of Hannibal but he was curious.

If I use the correct bait…I can draw the wolf in.

A strong breeze carried the scent to Hannibal. As soon as the repugnant odors entered his nasal passages his eyes shifted to Nico's car. Hannibal charged at the vehicle, reached into his pocket and extracted his Harpy.

Nico's eyes caught sight of the blade. Still there was no fear.

What will you do with that pathetic blade…scratch the paint on my car?

Hannibal took the Harpy and hooked the blade at the stem of Nico's car tire. As the tire's air vented furiously into the night Hannibal folded the knife slipped it into his pocket, balled up his fist and punched through the passenger side window. Blood and glass exploded into the car.

Surprised by the aggression Nico reached for the shift in an attempt to engage the transmission.

Hannibal reached into the car grasped Nico's throat and clawed at the larynx attempting to tear out the fibrous structure.

The stalker slammed his foot and forced the gas pedal to the floor causing the wheels of the car to smoke and spin. He released the brake and Hannibal, feeling the car surge forward was forced to release the man's throat and grab the side of the door.

Nico hit the gas and the car jumped forward with Hannibal hanging on to the outside of the car. When he was certain he could safely release without being dragged or pulled under the car he let go. Hannibal's body hit the street with a crushing thud. His shoulder struck first, the force of the impact knocked the wind out of him. Slowly he drew himself to his knees, doubled over and gasping for breath. His ribs aching from the contact it took several minutes for Hannibal's body to gather enough air to slow his breathing.

When he was certain that he had composed himself enough to enter his home, Hannibal carried the groceries and went inside.

Clarice greeted him at the door saw the look in his eyes and immediately understood.

"H? Should I be worried?"

"No my Love…he's gone now."

Hannibal approached to the security personnel and allowed them to teach him how to operate the system. He tested his knowledge quickly and when he was certain he could arm and disarm the system, he thanked them for their efforts. Clarice showed the men out. When she returned to Hannibal she saw his bloodied hand.

"H? What the hell did you do?" Clarice asked as she checked the rest of his body for injuries.

"I introduced myself, Clarice that is all…I introduced myself."

Nico was forced to leave quickly as the tire would not hold long. He parked several blocks from the Lecter household and put the spare on the car. He would have the window replaced soon.

You have a temper when defending what is yours? That will make this easy for me…you have shown me your weakness and I have shown you nothing. I will move on you soon Doctor Lecter…or should I say I will move on your wife soon. To save her from me…you will give yourself to Emilia…willingly.

Until the next chapter, my friends!

LH