Chapter 6: S

Margot's Estate was very open. Her 2-story house stood alone on green pastures. The hills were fenced to keep their horses in, and the driveway was a long straight road that wrapped around the back of the house. They liked to keep things private so trees surrounded their fences and fields….out of sight, out of mind. On this particular sunny day, Margot was outside watering the garden while Judy had opted to go feed the horses. Margot and Judy preferred the quiet life and much of what they needed was contained within the confines of their Estate. Margot had her gym that she worked out in frequently. She kept one gym membership purely just for when she wanted to venture out and get out of the house. Judy had her horses she took care of and a garden to grow her fruits and vegetables. Life was peaceful except what chaos their son brought.

Margot tried keeping Maximus away from Mason for as long as possible. But Mason threatened with lawyers, lawsuits, and whatever else he could muster up to throw at her. Margot blamed herself. She wished very deeply she had just taken the baby and run away. Sure they wouldn't have money, but they could have been a family right? Maximus would have grown up into a normal life instead of this role he currently filled, replacing Mason.

Her thoughts kept her occupied and then she heard a car approach down the long stretch of driveway. It was an older Jaguar. Margot didn't even think twice about who it was as she stood and took off her gardening gloves and approached the vehicle. Out from the driver's side came Dr. Hannibal Lecter. He wore a black button up shirt with linen pants and a fedora; he looked very sleek.

"Good afternoon, Margot."

"Good afternoon Doctor." Margot glanced into the car before Hannibal shut the door, "Are you alone Doctor? Where is she now?"

Doctor Lecter smiled, "Were you expecting someone else in the vehicle Margot?"

Margot glanced at the good Doctor and glanced back to the car, "I heard that you and Clarice Starling ran away together. I expected to see her in the car with you. Is she not here?"

"Why would Special Agent Starling be here, Margot? I only came to talk."

"I'm afraid I don't have much to say."

"I do."

Margot shifted uncomfortably. She kept a rifle in the house, and at the moment, she felt very naked without it.

"Margot, you look well. I am happy for you…your son on the other hand….well….what can I say? You came to visit me in the asylum all those years ago when sweet Judy was pregnant. You expressed concerns then about Mason's involvement in the child's life. I told you how to fix that little problem however. Do you remember?"

"Yes Doctor, I remember vividly. You suggested I kill him and take my chances on the run with Judy and the baby. But you should no I wouldn't do that."

"Would not or could not Margot? There is a difference." Hannibal placed his hands in his pockets.

"It is all too little, too late now Doctor. Why bring up the past now?"

"Do you regret the decision not to kill Mason now?"

Margot shifted from one foot then the other, "Yes…"

Hannibal smiled, "Aahhh there it is, clarity. Unfortunately, your son has overstepped some significant boundaries."

"You mean his failed attempts at attacking you?"

"No, I am used to that by now Margot. What I am referring to is his failed attempt at capturing and killing Clarice. That I am afraid is unforgivable."

It was Margot's turn to smile, "Looks like you cracked a little Doctor in your otherwise perfect suit of armor. You called her Clarice. No longer Special Agent Starling?"

"Careful Margot, that is as close as you go."

There was a noise that came from inside the house. Hannibal glanced passed Margot and saw Judy approach with a rifle aimed square at Doctor Lecter's chest, "Margot! Step to the right, I've got him."

But Margot didn't move, "No Judy, please, I can handle this."

"Margot, if we finish this now, perhaps we can get our son back."

Hannibal tsked , "Do you really believe you can get your son back? No, after me, he will go on his rampage just like your dear, dead brother. He is a tyrant, born and raised to take the throne of Mason Verger. And you two have no one to blame but yourselves. Had you ended Mason's life when I had instructed you to do so….PERHAPS, this could have been prevented. But we are beyond that now."

Judy approached slowly and Margot held up her hand, "Judy, no!"

"He is right in my line of sight Margot, this is it."

Margot turned to face her, "You do not have any dealings with this man, but I do. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING he does is unintentional. If he is here appearing weak and vulnerable it is for a purpose."

She turned back around and Hannibal smiled, "Why Margot, that was quite the speech. It is almost as if there is still hope for you yet."

Hannibal raised his right hand high in the air and held up the number 4 with his fingers. Margot and Judy were very confused until a bullet came flying past Hannibal's shoulders and landed directly in Judy's arm causing her to drop the rifle and cry out in pain. Margot ran to her side, "What the fuck was that?"

"A well trained marksperson, that as I understand it, never misses."

Margot turned toward Hannibal and in a fit started charging toward him until a bullet came flying that landed right in between them, halting Margot.

"You didn't signal that time," Margot huffed.

"Indeed, but this particular shot does not always go off my lead. I suppose she thought I was in danger."

Margot gave a mild laugh, "So she is here, Special Agent Starling."

Hannibal nodded and pointed to Judy, "That is a superficial wound. A warning shot if you will."

"Then what do you want from us?" Margot went back and helped Judy to her feet.

"I needed to know the extent of your involvement in this. While I was confident you didn't seem the type to get involved, I had to be sure. But I have surmised from this visit that your son is doing this of his own accord."

"So you just expect us to sit quietly and let you go after him? We would never do that!"

"No, of course not. I came to give you one last chance Margot. Speak with your son. He will never hear from us again if he agrees to stop now. However, if you fail, then just know you did everything you could as his mother. But, it will be the end of Maximus."

"Fuck you!"

Hannibal approached very slowly and stood before the two women, "None of this is easy for you I know. But how much longer do you think the two of you will last before you are deemed, disposable, to your own son?"

"Think about my offer. You have three days to act, before I do. I think that is plenty generous, don't you?"

Hannibal smiled and turned to walk back towards his car, he gave a small wave until her heard Margot speak again, "I know Dr. Lecter. You have found something worth dying for haven't you? You have found something worth fighting for, and you would do anything to protect it. I know that night my son sent those men to Special Agent Starling's house, you rescued her. I am sorry, truly, and to answer your question I lay awake every fucking night, and I regret not taking your advice. I regret not killing Mason and taking my chances. I was weak, and I failed him. So please, for her, stay strong."

Hannibal turned briefly and gave a small nod before stepping in to his vehicle and driving off. Margot and Judy retreated back in the house where Margot cleaned and took care of her wound.

Judy was hesitant to speak, "You aren't seriously going to give up our son right?"

"No, but I do need to go to him and get him moving. He isn't ready for what is about to come."

Hannibal approached the tree line in the distance before he parked and waited. Clarice Starling approached from the trees with a sniper rifle. She placed it in the trunk and climbed into the passenger seat next to Hannibal, "Do you think this will work?"

"Maximus has a lot of properties listed under his name and a lot of men working under him. Things will go much faster if we have someone to lead us there. She will take my warning and go to her son. We will follow and make our move after."

Clarice reached across and grabbed Hannibal's wrist, "I trust you."

Hannibal brought Clarice's hand up to his lips and placed a kiss gently across her knuckles.