I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Happy Holidays and wishes for a wonderful and most importantly a healthy New Year to all of my wonderful fan fic friends!

DEGREES OF TRUTH

Bashandi reproached the president for what he truly believed to be a blatant disregard for Doctor Lecter's rights based on the commutation of his sentences and the promises made at that time.

"I don't understand why Doctor Lecter is being re-evaluated. I was in the room speaking to him moments before he was to meet with the therapist. This therapist, I was told, had been chosen by the government specifically for the purpose of assessing Doctor Lecter's sanity."

"That is true to a degree," the president remarked.

Bashandi, with an expression of obvious concern, lifted an eyebrow at the statement.

"There are no degrees of truth, Sir. Either something is true or it is false. Any insinuation otherwise tells me you are not a trustworthy person and that raises concerns for me; both in this case in any of our future dealings."

Ever the experienced politician, the president regrouped, "What I meant to say was that we specifically chose that particular therapist because we were certain he would agree with our position at the time."

Not one to be outmaneuvered, Bashandi leaned back in his chair and paused before answering. When he was certain he understood the nuances of the comment he replied very pointedly, "If I am to extrapolate you have therefore chosen Doctor Bloom because you believe he might now draw a different conclusion?"

The president was cagey in his response, "Let us just say that I wanted a more thorough evaluation."

He answered the comment in a very slow and staccato rhythm as if the beat of each syllable would stress the importance of the response, "Your desire for a more thorough evaluation has now made a liar out of me. Without any consideration or thought to my personal integrity you have stolen my honor and my dignity. I am more than a little offended, I am absolutely indignant and I want this matter rectified."

The president sounded genuinely confused, "I am not sure I understand how this affects your honor or your dignity. I issued the request. It has nothing to do with you."

Bashandi rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. He was agitated and could not believe he was indirectly being asked to explain himself.

His tone mirrored his anger, "I looked that man directly in the eye and I asked him for his help. He told me of his pregnant wife and of his hopes for his child. He risked his life, his safety and his own future to come out of hiding help me to find my daughter. I will not stand idly by and let you steal his future with his own family from him. He has done nothing wrong."

Though the documentary being filmed was not scheduled for broadcast until the evaluation process was over, unedited versions were being leaked by the production staff. Snippets were being picked up and broadcast on evening news reports preceded by warnings that the content, Lecter's physical torment, would be too much for young viewers. Hannibal Lecter was the most searched topic on the internet. YouTube was flooded with views.

Mariyah listened quietly to the conversation. As her father reprimanded the president she took out her ipad and queued up several videos of Hannibal's treatment. Her father watched with rapt attention as the president droned in his ear. He pounded his fist on the table when he saw Hannibal strapped to the table and electrodes placed on his head. When Hannibal's body arched from the electrical current raging through his system, Bashandi took the device from his daughter. He searched and found the video of Hannibal taken from his home. His eyes welled as the camera picked up Hannibal, dart sticking out of his neck staggering away to protect his wife. When he saw Clarice crying and calling for her husband as they loaded her into an ambulance, overwhelmed by the scene Anwar Bashandi pushed the IPad away.

The president was still rambling as Anwar Bashandi used the back of his hand to wipe at the tears welling in his eyes.

"…I know it seems redundant. I just wanted some assurances before we allowed him to take up residency in the United States."

The president understood it was the wrong thing to say the moment he heard Anwar Bashandi's authoritative baritone voice now shaking with emotion boom over the speaker.

"That comment is not only disgusting it is absolutely the height of hubris! You are telling me that you cleared Doctor Lecter to get his help strictly for political gain. Therefore, you allowed him to leave the country only because if he killed someone else at least it wouldn't be an American? You still believed him to be a danger but you were not concerned he might be a threat as long as you were unleashing him on the citizens of Argentina and not the United States?"

The president stammered slightly, "That…that isn't what I meant."

"It is precisely what you meant. This is embarrassing to you not because you went back on your word to him, though you it is why you should be embarrassed. You are upset because you didn't think your psychologist would be so public about it did you? It has become quite the public relations situation, yes?"

The president's voice was subdued, "You might say that."

Bashandi was becoming even more animated, "And though I am an interested party you did not think to call me?"

Though the president's tone was contrite, he offered no apology, "I had hoped to handle this quietly. Doctor Bloom obtained an involuntary commitment order through the court system in Maryland. There is a separation of powers. I cannot get involved until a determination has been made as to Hannibal's competency."

Angry and leaving barely a breath between them Bashandi's voice chased the president's, "I have seen the videos of Doctor Lecter's treatment, have you?"

"No. I haven't seen them. I've heard they exist but I have yet to review them."

Bashandi's voice was angry and indignant but it did not reflect shock, "It doesn't surprise me to hear you say that. I am certain Amnesty International will be very interested in the content of the tapes and the handling of Doctor Lecter. I cannot even count the amount of human rights violations on those tapes they are that numerous. You have an extreme problem to deal with as it would seem you have a therapist running amok and touting to others that he does so under your direct orders."

The president was beginning to realize the situation had passed the point of damage control and was quickly approaching critical mass. He sought to distance himself, though there was little hope of it.

"He was asked to evaluate Doctor Lecter at my request. Although he exceeded the request he was within his right as the physician of record to seek treatment for Doctor Lecter if he deemed it appropriate or necessary. He deemed it so and sought a court ordered hospitalization. He was certain Doctor Lecter posed a threat. Although this is not the way in which I would have handled the situation, this is a free country. I don't control everything."

"Yours is a free country for everyone with the exception of Doctor Hannibal Lecter it seems. I will tell you what I deem appropriate and necessary. I am getting on a plane and I am flying to the United States the moment I hang up this phone. I am formally requesting a meeting with Doctor Lecter to which I will bring my daughter Mariyah as she and Doctor Lecter have become very attached to one another. You may or may not attend this meeting. I would assume you will not as I cannot see a political advantage to you. I do suggest you inform Doctor Bloom that I will be arriving. If I am not allowed to see Doctor Lecter, I will be most agitated and I will be most vocal. I cannot promise cooperation past that point between our nations as I am not certain what the refusal will do to the relationship between our two countries."

The president's voice reflected his worry, "You are over-reacting and I'm not certain I understand why. He is being well cared for."

Bashandi was steadfast and unwavering, "He is not being well-cared for he is being tortured, Sir. If you are unaware of the atrocities being committed in your own name, I suggest you go online and watch some of the raw footage. It is truly horrific. I am disgusted by this as I made a promise to that man. He trusted me as I once trusted you. Because you are not afraid to be seen as a liar, I have been made one as well. I am most distressed."

The president was now beginning to understand the gravity of the situation and the political ramifications as well, "You have my apologies."

"I do not require your apologies. I require your action. Good day, Sir."

Without waiting for a response Anwar Bashandi pressed a button and disconnected the phone. He turned to his daughter. "I have a few things to finish here. Go home and pack. Ask your mother to pack a bag for me as well. Tell her we will need our passports. If she would like to accompany us, she is welcome. Tell her we are all going to America to help your friend. He did not let us down. We will not let him down."

Mariyah kissed her father. She was certain he would not rest until Doctor Lecter was free. As soon as she arrived home, she went online and emailed Clarice.

Hi Clarice!

We are leaving today and coming to America. Father was very angry to hear what happened to Hannibal and called the president. He was very firm with him and told him that he would be visiting Hannibal. I'm going to go with him to the meeting.

I'm sorry you are both going through this. We are on the way. We won't let you down! My thoughts are with you both.

Hannibal's friend and yours too,

Mariyah

Clarice was thrilled when she opened the email. It would take a full day for the Bashandi family to arrive. She would be ready when they did. She composed a quick message to Mariyah.

Hey Mariyah,

Your father is an honorable man. Please tell him how much we appreciate his assistance. I hope your family will consider staying at our home. We have several guest bedrooms and our security system is far better than any hotel has to offer. I would consider it an honor to host you.

I will be happy to send a car to meet you at the airport. Let me know when you are scheduled to arrive. Thanks Mariyah. Hannibal knew he could count on you!

Your friend,

Clarice

Clarice walked to the kitchen to get a drink and to unlock the front door. Barney would be by soon and if she fell asleep, she might not hear the front door. He promised to bring Hannibal her medical records and to take back a note for her. Clarice sat quietly and composed a letter to Hannibal for Barney to take with him.

My dearest H,

I signed a release to have my medical records delivered to you. Barney said he would make sure you got them and promised to bring you this note as well. I don't know what all of the information the doctor's say but I wanted you to know that I really feel much better so don't worry about me. I love you very much.

Ardelia said there are millions of hits on YouTube of the footage the documentary crew is filming of you. She made me promise not to watch it. I really want to see it if only to see you but she says it's too much for me to handle.

I'm not sure what I should do. I may watch it anyway. If you remember what you told me about staying by your sister's side, you should understand why I've got to watch it. I need to be with you, even if you can't feel it. I need to share this with you H.

She told me you're being subjected to horrible things. You're in pain and it's my fault you're going through this. I'm sorry you are alone physically. Please remember that I'm with you always. I close my eyes at night and feel your arms around me as I sleep. I hope you can feel my love for you too.

H, I'm so sorry. I wish I never asked you to come back here. We were so happy in Argentina. I know I said that I wanted to be around my friends while I had the baby but now all I want is to be with you. When you come back to me, I don't care where we live. Just know that I'll never let you go.

All my strength and all of my love I send to you my dear husband. You are the one love of my life.

I am forever yours,

Clarice

Clarice printed the note and signed her name to the bottom along with some hearts to make him smile. She then did a quick search on YouTube for any videos tagged Hannibal Lecter. There were several hits. She opened the first to see her husband being led into a room. The view was from behind Hannibal and over his shoulder. She could hear his voice asking about the machine in the corner.

Sine-wave? What the…oh no…no please not that…

Clarice watched in horror as her husband was strapped to the table and trussed up with electrodes.

Give him a sedative you son of a bitch. Give him something goddamn it!

When it became obvious that Hannibal was going to be shocked without any medication at all Clarice began to sob uncontrollably.

Barney heard the noise and ran into the kitchen to see Clarice staring at the monitor with tears pouring down her face. She was gasping for breath.

Barney reached for the laptop and just as Bloom prepared to through the switch and engage the current, Barney shut the laptop.

"Sorry Clarice…he would never forgive me if I let you watch this." Barney took the laptop and placed it under his arm, "I'm taking this with me. I'll bring it back in the morning with your note from Hannibal so you can check your email. Where's your cell phone?"

"On the counter."

"I'll be taking that with me as well. I'll have Ardelia forward all your calls to your home phone. I'm sorry if your pissed at me, Clarice but with your health the way it is…you'd be taking a chance with the baby's life and I owe your husband too much to allow you to take chances. Don't forget, he put me in charge of your health. I take that real serious, you know."

Clarice wiped the tears from her face, "I know Barney…I know."

Barney collected Clarice's medical files, her cell phone and her laptop.

"Clarice, I'll come by every morning and every night so you can go online and check all of your messages but I can't leave the equipment here. I know how you are when it comes to Hannibal. You'll go right back on line as soon as I leave. Sorry, Clarice. I promised."

Barney took the file and all of the equipment.

Clarice waited until she was sure Barney was gone. She checked the front door, making sure to lock it. She then went to Hannibal's study and took his laptop out of the case. Setting it up quickly on his desk she pulled up the site, held her breath and pressed play.

Clarice cried herself to sleep that night.

Hannibal spent the night reviewing her medical records. Both found sleep with worried thoughts of the other, unaware of the events massive chain of events that were about to unfold.

The Bashandi's were on the way. The president was calling an emergency meeting of his staff to discuss the case, the documentarians were editing and Doctor Bloom was oblivious to the nightmare he would awake to.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Happy New Year my friends! Review and let me know what you think, then PM and say Hi!

Until the next chapter,

LH

e