The Visitor
Kelly carefully consulted her guidebook for the umpteenth time and took a deep breath. She believed she was standing in front of the building she was looking for. She was on a conference in Florence and had been anxious for the meet and greet and first lectures at the opening of the conference to finish so she could go and explore. She had a very specific plan and as she had always been a bit obsessed with the Italian Renaissance, she was keen to see some of the works. The door was standing slightly a bit ajar but did not seem inviting. She timidly gave a soft knock on the door. Almost as if she did and didn't want to be heard. She steeled her courage, and knocked again more purposefully.
"Helo. May I please come in?"
She pushed the door a little more open and stepped into the cool and dark interior. It was an old building in the centre if the city and she loved the smell the old stones seem to be endowed with. There wasn't an answer but she sensed that there was someone there.
"I'm very sorry to intrude like this. I was wondering if I could see the Botticelli you have here? If it's not convenient I can come back some other time perhaps? I would dearly like to see the Botticelli if possible"
She sensed someone was standing on the balcony behind her and turned, but did not see anyone there. Just then the door was pushed fully open and three loud young men came waltzing in.
"There you are. What are you doing in a crypt like this? Come with us, we know where to find some normal tasting beer in this fancy pansy town"
She stiffened and took another step away from the door.
"Thanks John, some other time perhaps. I actually came here to see the Botticelli"
"Aw don't be like that Kelly, you will find that you actually enjoy it once we start" he said as he grabbed her upper arm painfully to pull her to the door.
"Good evening"
The voice behind the group was soft and sophisticated but commanded the full attention.
John dropped her arm and stepped nonchalantly away from her as if they had been having a friendly amicable conversation. The newcomer was an older man wearing a perfectly tailored three-piece suit. He was standing in a relaxed pose with his hands behind his back but somehow managed to seem a bit menacing.
"Hi gramps" John said trying to regain some of his swagger "we're just leaving to go get something to drink"
"Oh, I see. I do believe the lady said she is here to see the Botticelli, but you are welcome to run along"
John was clearly uncomfortable with the dismissive manner of the older man and took a breath and a step forward, extending his hand to the door. The other also took a small step forward and clasped John's hand in his. Smiling a serene and sinister smile.
"How rude of me not to introduce myself. I am Dr Fell. And who might you be?"
John's face paled and gave a grimace and Kelly could see how the older man was squeezing John's hand.
"John Pembry" he managed trying his best not to drop to his knees in front of his two friends who was looking between the two men, clearly uncomfortable.
"Extraordinary. You might say I knew a Pembry once" Fell said as he slowly and steadily increased the pressure on John's hand without any visible effort on his part.
John had started to sweat and his face had turned a bright red when Fell abrupt dropped his hand.
"Well, run along, there's a good boy"
John gasped and cradling his hand to his chest as he and the two others all but fled past Fell and out onto the streets. Fell watched them go, and then turned with a more welcoming smile to the young woman.
"I'm afraid your friends are not as interested in Renaissance art as you"
Kelly grimaced and the flash of disgust over her features was quite delicious to Dr Fell.
"They're not my friends. They are attending the same conference as I am and I met them this afternoon. They followed me when I left the hotel and I thought I'd lost them. Obviously not. I'm so terribly sorry for the intrusion. I tried to find a number to call to come see the Botticelli, but I couldn't find one"
"That's because there isn't one listed. This is a private residence" Dr Fell informed her. She visibly blanched and covered her face with her hands
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry. That was unspeakably rude of me to just barge in on you like that. I'll get out of your hair"
"Don't you want to see the Botticelli?" Dr Fell asked with his head cocked slightly "You did after all invite yourself in to do so"
"I know, and I'm mortified for doing it. I do want to see it, but I really don't want to intrude any more than I have already"
"Oh, it's not often I am called upon by a young woman to see the x" he said winking at her. He stooped to pick up her fallen guidebook and hand it back to her.
"If it's not too much trouble. I promise I will be quick"
Dr Fell stepped back and smoothly closed the door behind himself. Kelly could clearly hear the latch catch as he did so.
"Okey dokey. Let's get started. This way my dear. I'm afraid a quick view won't do it the justice it deserves. So, what is a bunch of young Americans doing in Florence hmmm? You mentioned a conference?"
"It's being held at the Art Hotel Villa Agape. I'm really looking forward to it. The couple of lectures they had today were excellent. Though I'm not too sure why John and the rest would come. They've not attended a single lecture that I saw and ..."
She gently gasped and completely lost the train of her thought as she came stood in front of the Botticelli. Her companion watched her and the little gasp and soft exhalation she gave upon seeing the painting wasn't lost on him.
(Dr Hannibal Lecter had just finished transferring the last of his shopping bags from his car parked in the garage at the end of the block when he heard a soft tentative knock at his door. The door was still standing a bit ajar as he didn't have a hand free when he entered to close it. He silently approached the overhanging balcony and observed the young woman who had entered. He was debating what he should do with her when the three buffoons had entered and the leader had grabbed her upper arm. Rude. So very rude. It had been fun squeezing the metacarpal bones of the young pup. Making sure that he ground them together as well. He was sure there would be at least one tension fracture there and that pleased him immensely. The fact that she had unconsciously leaned her body towards him and away from the other men wasn't lost on him. Dr Lecter was pleasantly surprised how polite the young lady turned out to be. Who was he to damped the interest of the young on worthwhile art? It had been a bit of an indulgent and whimsical decision that had him leading her to the painting. He felt he was amply rewarded, and somewhat recompensed by her honest and appreciate reaction to seeing the painting. He reflected that it was much like his own reaction upon seeing it for the first time.)
Kelly was completely absorbed in studying the painting. So different from seeing a copy of it from a book.
"This was before he had all those apprentices, right? So, this is probably really him"
"Very good" Dr Fell replied, slightly impressed.
It was common practice for a famous artist to hire apprentices to work in his workshop and it has been hotly debated how much work was then done by the artist, and how much by the apprentices. This young lady was certainly full of delightful little surprises. He was strongly reminded of another young woman who had managed to surprise him. They could not have been more different in countenance. Where Clarice was tall and graceful this one was short and stocky and somehow seemed to be slouching just a little bit even if she wasn't. Her clothes were practical rather than flattering, and in that she did seem to echo Clarice.
"Thank you so much for letting me see it" she said turning to him, beaming a smile.
"It was my pleasure" he assured her and found that it actually was the truth.
"My name is Dr Fell" he said, extending his hand to her.
She smiled and took his hand in hers without any apparent trepidation
"Kelly Johnson"
Her face was plain and she didn't possess the inherent beauty of Clarice, but her smile reached her eyes and made her just a bit more than comely.
"Would you like some coffee or tea my dear?"
As if on que her stomach gave a soft rumble and her eyes widened a bit in embarrassment before she gave a self-depreciating smile he found utterly disarming.
"I really don't want to intrude more than I already have"
"Nonsense. I would not have asked if I had wanted you out of my hair. Tell me about this conference of yours" he said turning and leading her to the kitchen.
"It's on microbiology"
She blushed as he lifted his eyebrows as he seated her at the kitchen table. That certainly wasn't what he was expecting.
"Coffee or tea?"
"Coffee please. I'm so super excited to be in this city. I was so chuffed when I found out it was to be held here" her clear enthusiasm was palpable.
"Have you explored a bit?"
"No, my plane landed only late last night. We had our meet and greet this morning and then the first couple of lectures. The conference director asked if I'd join them for a drink this afternoon, but I was way too eager to go explore."
"And who are the 'them' you were asked to join?" Dr Fell asked as he put a small espresso cup in front of her with a small beaker of milk and bowl of sugar cubes. He turned to get his own cup.
"Oh, I assume some of the other delegates. I don't know actually now that you asked"
He was struck by just how naive she was. He wondered what other measures the conference director might pursue now that she's turned him down, or if it was a genuine friendly invitation without strings attached to it. Unlikely in his experience.
Kelly was sitting and observed her cup, with a pensive look om her face.
"This taste much different from anything I've tasted before. It's absolutely delicious"
"That's probably because I roast the beans myself. Many barista tend to burn the beans beyond anything man nor beast should be allowed to consume" he explained, not one to pass up the opportunity to show off a bit of his culinary prowess.
He neglected to mention the beans were actually kopi luwak as he felt that bit of information superfluous to the conversation.
"Do you have many lectures tomorrow?" He asked sitting comfortably observing his guest.
"Yes, most of the day. I present my paper tomorrow afternoon" she said, savouring the best coffee she had ever tasted.
Once again Dr Fell found himself just a little bit impressed. This little slip of a girl was presenting a paper at an international conference.
"You are presenting a paper you say? You are very young if I may be so bold as to say"
Again, she blushed rather fetchingly and looked down at her cup again.
"It's part of my master's thesis. But it was only included in the conference proceedings at the last minute. It's the only reason I could convince my university to send me to be honest. I feel very honoured to be here."
He carefully searched her face, but could find only earnest guilelessness and some pride in her paper being included.
"I see. So, you've not seen much of Florence yet? Have you at least been to the Duomo?"
"No not yet" her smile lighted her face "I want to go see that next"
"Very well. Once you've finished, we'll be off".
Again, the decision to accompany her to the Duomo to show her around was a bit impulsive bit he had never been one to deny himself a few indulgences.
"Are you sure? Only of you don't have something important to do" She replied.
"Nothing at moment" he gave her a small smile.
The walk to the Duomo was leisurely. As it was Monday many of the museums would be closed, but the Duomo would be open. Dr Fell showed and explained a lot of sights to Kelly that might be lost on the casual observer. He found her rapt attention quite satisfying.
Hannibal Lecter sat back in his chair sipping a glass of Amarone later that evening and reflected on his day. He found that he had quite enjoyed her company. He had been strongly reminded of Clarice most of the afternoon and considered the similarities and differences between the two. He had walked her back to her hotel and had offered to show her the Accademia Gallery of Florence housing Michelangelo's David tomorrow afternoon after her conference and she had gratefully agreed.
He reflected that she shouldn't trust strangers so readily, she might fall into the hands of anyone.