Chapter 13
Clarice woke up from a deep sleep. The smell of waffles, syrup, and eggs were filling the room. She hopped out of bed and got dressed in some jeans and a simple emerald green top. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and went downstairs into the kitchen. Hannibal was still cooking.
"Good morning. Would you like me to set the table for us?"
Hannibal turned, "Good morning to you as well, and yes Clarice, everything should be ready in about 5 minutes."
Clarice gathered the plates, glasses, knives, forks, and napkins. She placed them at the table and turned toward Hannibal again.
"Are we going to resume after breakfast?"
Hannibal smiled devilishly, "My, my Clarice…so eager to resume where we left off last night?"
She blushed, "You know exactly what I am referring to. The therapy sessions."
Hannibal chuckled, "Yes my dear. But we need to give a little bit of time for the food to digest first. So we will give it an hour or so. Sometimes the medicine can cause some nausea."
"You never asked me about what I saw during the first session."
Hannibal walked over and placed the food on the plates. They sat down together and Hannibal began again, "That is entirely up to you Clarice. We are beginning to construct and lay the foundation for your memory palace. What goes inside and what you choose to keep are entirely up to you."
"Your memory palace must be quite elaborate."
"Yes, but I know every corridor and room."
Clarice looked down at her food then back up to Hannibal who was sipping on a glass of orange juice. She decided to take a chance.
"Do I occupy any of those rooms Hannibal?"
He nearly choked on the orange juice. He gave her an inquisitive look and she just smiled sheepishly.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes."
Hannibal leaned forward, "Yes Clarice, you are there."
"In what way?"
"We shall save that for another time. What is most important is that we get you prepared for today. The next session may not be as welcoming as the first. You may see things you don't really want to see. You must be ready."
"Alright."
They sat the remainder of the time quietly eating breakfast. After, Clarice and Hannibal went for a walk through the gardens in their backyard. The greenery was beautiful. Hannibal asked Starling if she wanted to take a drive in town together and she agreed.
They went to the garage where the supercharged Jaguar was. If there was one area where Hannibal and Clarice saw eye to eye, it was definitely cars. She loved the model he selected, and today he decided to surprise her. He tossed her the keys and she gladly accepted his offer.
"Are you sure Hannibal?"
"Of course Clarice. Have some fun with it."
She sped down the long driveway and out to the main road. Hannibal gave her directions to the main strip where they would do most of their shopping. She parallel parked the car on the street and started to get out but was halted by a hand on her shoulder.
"Please Clarice. Humor me." He climbed out of the car and walked around to open her door and he extended his hand out for her. She grasped his hand and they glided down the streets together. There were eyes observing the beautiful woman and the man that held her hand.
Unfortunately not all eyes are just observing, some are waiting in hiding, waiting to make a move.
Edward and Johnny Strauss aged 32 and 34 were brothers. Edward had curly brown hair that covered his forehead. He wore a black and white track suit. Johnny wore a suit and tie with his blond hair slicked back out lf his face. The brothers had 18 years of experience in their line of work as thieves, murderers, and rapists and they took pride in their work. They had been to jail before and had their routine down to the finest detail. The brothers had multiple approaches for multiple situations, and they always left it up to the prey to decide how they would interact.
The man was very protective of the woman and on guard. The woman herself was looking all around her very observant but also very interested in the man she was with. Her purse was a cross body strap that was in between her and the man. Therefore, a quick snatch and run would not be feasible. The keys she kept in her inside pocket closest towards the gentleman. Edward also took note that the man's wallet was not placed in the back pocket nor in a coat pocket. This one would not be so easy so he waited and followed, but not too closely. Edward noticed several times the gentleman looking over his shoulder at him.
Does he know I am following them? No, it couldn't be. I have kept a distance and even walked in multiple shops. Better to stay further back.
Johnny waited a block over. He and his brother texted each other back and forth to communicate what the prey was doing and how they should approach. Edward contemplated which skit he would perform for the couple and decided that the man would be the easiest to steal from. He looked protective over the woman and could use that to his advantage. The act usually went something like this:
First he would approach the woman being extra flirtatious acting like he was going to ask her out. The man usually steps in front of the woman and pushes her back approaching the man. Then he sparks an argument. Makes a dirty comment about the girl to make the man attack him. Then his friend Johnny would come around the corner acting like he knew no one and break up the fight. Johnny was very good at picking pockets. He could slide in and out before anyone ever noticed.
Edward sent one quick text to his brother: Operation Gentleman should work the best.
Johnny responded: Got it. Standing by.
Edward approached the couple and decided to begin the fun.
"Hey sexy lady. Why don't you ditch the old man and get with somebody more age appropriate for you?"
Hannibal and Clarice ignored him and carried on. The only acknowledgement he got was Hannibal glancing over his shoulder remarking, "Move along little boy, she is a woman not a call girl. She would break you."
Edward was furious, "The fuck you say to me? Bitch doesn't look like much to me. May be she would do better on her knees and…"
Edward was cut off by Hannibal spinning around and glaring at him with a look that could melt even the sun itself. Edward noticed a flash of silver in his hand and backed up. Clarice stepped in front to block the view of Hannibal's weapon from the man.
"Sir, my husband and I are very busy. As he suggested to you, I would run along before something bad happens."
About that time Johnny stepped around the corner and was confused when he saw Edward backing up and the woman in front of the man. The usual scene involved Edward tackling the man to the ground and Johnny would pose as a business man in a hurry to get to work. He would break up the fight by grabbing the man and pulling him off of Edward while simultaneously slipping his hand into the pocket to retrieve the wallet. But Edward looked to be retreating and so Johnny backed off and doubled back around to meet Edward at the café.
Edward backed off and headed back to the café as well. Hannibal and Clarice kept a close eye on the scene and noticed the man in the suit that quickly turned the corner.
Clarice turned to face Hannibal, "Charles. I do believe we were almost part of a scam."
"You are right my dear. How kind of you to spare them. I could have ended the charade a lot earlier on had you let me. He was being very rude to you. I would have liked to have seen him on his knees apologizing to you."
"They aren't worth your time or your energy. They are nothing."
They continued to walk down the street together. Meanwhile Johnny and Edward met a few blocks over. Johnny was seated at a table waiting for Edward.
"What the fuck man? What happened?"
"Johnny, that guy was hiding a knife."
"So what? Wouldn't be the first time someone pulled out a knife on you. I have your back."
"No! Fool. You aren't listening. I said he hid the knife up his sleeve. He didn't pull it out or brandish it."
"What does that matter?"
Edward took a seat next to Johnny, "One thing I have learned is you never fear the man who brandishes a knife and show a it off. Those are the ones who don't know how to use it properly. Those that hide it and protect the knife, those are the ones that know how to use it. He is skilled in its use. I can tell."
"Ex military?"
"No. He didn't seem the type. I think they are hiding something. Obviously rich, did you see that fucking car?"
"Maybe we should follow them."
"I want to know where they live. But don't forget what I told you. They are dangerous. We need to keep our distance and strike when ready. Johnny, let's go hunting."