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Extended Vacation copyright 2001, by DianaLecter Disclaimer:
The characters Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling were
created by Thomas
Harris. They are used herein without permission, but in the spirit of
admiration and respect. No infringement of copyright is intended, and no
profit, of any kind, is made by the creator, maintainer or contributors to this
site. 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 PART 2 Dr. Lecter led him politely, following close behind to avoid attracting unwanted attention with the Harpy. As they approached a small booth in the back of the café, the Harpy vanished but was far from out of reach. Crawford turned to face Dr. Lecter and was less than thrilled when he saw the look on his face. It wasn’t hostile, yet it didn’t scream mercy. The good doctor nodded politely to the table before them and said in a pleasant tone, “Sit, please.” Again, it was far from a request, and Crawford knew better than to disobey. He caught a glance of his .45 in Dr. Lecter’s grasp as he sat, his pulse exhilarating. Watching helplessly as Dr. Lecter shifted position and he knew the gun was pointed at him under the table. The Harpy itself found a comfortable seat atop the actual table, and sat directly within his grasp. However, Crawford was not a foolish man, and knew better than to reach for it while the nozzle of his very own gun was pointed at him. He had never known Dr. Lecter to use a firearm, but was sure he wouldn’t forfeit the chance for the sake of reputation. “Ah, I see you are quite comfortable. Now, to move on to the topic of objective. I’m sure you aren’t here because the scenery is lovely. Your presence leads me to come to one of two conclusions. You somehow tracked my whereabouts by means I intend to discover or, you know something you shouldn’t.” Dr. Lecter’s eyes danced for he sensed Crawford’s discomfort and undoubtedly smelled his fear. “Tell me, Jack, and don’t lie. What brings you to this…part of the world?” Think, Jack, think. If he knows your agenda, he won’t tell you anyth- “I’m here to find Clarice Starling,” he heard himself say. ing. Goddamn you, you little idiot! Dr. Lecter smiled and lounged back, taking his time and even managing to shake off the presence of a waitress without letting the air out that the man before him was more or less a prisoner. “Clarice Starling,” he echoed, making the name sound like a mathematical equation rather than a formal title. “Hmm. And what makes you think she’s here, Jack?” The temperature of the room elevated uncomfortably. Crawford resisted the urge to wiggle in his seat. “Airlines. They said she had booked a flight here.” Why the fuck are you telling him this?! But he knew the answer to that question. It was simple. If Starling had been here for a month, there was slim chance that she hadn’t run into Dr. Lecter. More over all, the possibility that the doctor lured her here or forced her without so many words was still a heavy option in his mind. It seemed very likely. “How interesting.” Ask now or forever hold your peace. “Have you seen her?” Crawford wished for a moment that Dr. Lecter would pull the trigger so he wouldn’t have to see his reaction to the question. No such luck. A very amused smile spread across his lips as he snatched the Harpy from the table and brought it to his mouth as though it were a straw. “Seen her? This is a sizey town, Jack. I ask you to consider the probability that I would run into her.” “She’s been here for over a month, Hannibal. Besides, I know you don’t miss anything. Furthermore, if you have seen her, I doubt she remained ignorant to your presence for long.” Somewhere in the layers of his subconscious, he heard a voice echoing endlessly. Idiot idiot idiot idiot. That’s what you are, Jacky. One sore excuse of a human being. “You’re assuming now, Jack. Certainly you are aware of the dangers in that.” “I wouldn’t make the assumption without being sure of it first.” “Sure? You’ve researched this theory?” No reply. Crawford bit his tongue to silence his voice. Dr. Lecter only smiled wider. “Ah, I thought so.” “What are you doing here anyway?” he heard himself blurt. That should be perfectly obvious. God, Jack, you are dense. Dr. Lecter let out a short chuckle. “Am I missed at home? Honestly, Jack, you surprise me. That seems perfectly obvious. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were attempting to hint that foul play on my part has assisted in the disappearance of Clarice.” You know that’s exactly what I’m accusing, Hannibal. Come on out and say it. Something struck him then. Assuming Dr. Lecter was telling the truth - something he seriously doubted, but assuming - he could assist in finding Starling. Crawford didn’t know how, and furthermore, didn’t want to know how, but somehow, the man before him had a hold no other could replace over his former apprentice. But he has her. There’s no doubt about that. And if he doesn’t? We need all the help we can get. The thought of asking for Dr. Lecter’s help was not an attractive one. He didn’t feel like being laughed at. It’s a bit late for that. “Listen, Hannibal,” he heard himself saying. Oh my God, am I actually going to make this offer? “Let me make…an offer. Say you don’t know where Clarice is, just say. I know you have some…power over her. And-” “Power?” mused the monster. “Mmm. That is rather interesting.” “- I can offer my personal guarantee that I will endure a slight case of amnesia and conveniently forget I met you here…if you would assist in us finding her.” Indeed, Dr. Lecter could do little more than chuckle. “Why would I want to do that, Jack? Why not simply kill you? Why should I assist the Bureau, something that was going to be the end of her in one way or another? Oh no, forgive me; I forget she was discharged. Hmm. That raises an interesting question. A federal officer is not missing, Jack. Why have you troubled yourself in coming here for a civilian?” A devilish smile told Crawford that all was revealed and denying would do little more than amuse him further. “Tell me, Jack, and again, tell the truth.” “She’s my friend.” Dr. Lecter’s eyebrows perked expectantly. “Yes. And?” “And what?” “Foolish Jacky. Will I really have to kill you?” “I wanted her.” The monster smiled once more. “I thought as much. Well, I’m sure she’ll be more than thrilled to know that.” Crawford’s heard leaped. “What do you mean?” Dr. Lecter raised a finger to his lips. “All good things to those who wait.” With that he stood, taking both his gun and the Harpy, and walked out of the café. Crawford couldn’t phone the police, couldn’t pursue, couldn’t do anything. All he could do was watch. To invoke action would be risking Starling’s safety, knowledge of her whereabouts, everything. He was certain now. Dr. Lecter knew where Starling was, and more over all, was keeping her very close to him. And he toyed with you simply to turn you red. He knows you can’t do anything. Crawford hated himself at that moment. He buried his head in his arms and fought off the urge to scream. Fin Part 2 of 5 |