Chapter Text
Hannibal wasn't curious by nature. His keen observation and knowledge mentality always provided him with the information he craved.
People were nothing more than marionettes to be controlled and observed.
Besides Will, only one other captivated him. The female enigma, sitting across from him, named Dr Bedelia Du Maurier. He bit back a sigh as she looked at her watch, signalling the end of their session.
Their session was done, and he would have to await their next appointment to see her again. Time never seemed to be in his favour when she was near. Every hour seemed to pass faster than the last.
As she walked him to the door, he made his usual invitation which he knew she would refuse.
"It wouldn't be right for me as your psychiatrist to eat dinner at your house. I would be crossing the line between doctor and patient."
"My invitation is to a colleague, not my psychiatrist. Is there another reason why you're so set in your refusal?"
Bedelia's features revealed nothing as she spoke. "I have a previous engagement, and it would be rude for me to cancel."
Hannibal was many things, but he was never rude. He knew for a fact Bedelia was not either. Curiosity burned at him as he nodded and departed.
Various thoughts ran through his mind as he raced home. Who was she meeting? Who was stealing his Bedelia?
Later that night he watched as a tall, average looking man escorted Bedelia to an expensive-looking car.
As they drove away, he memorized the license plate number for future reference.
Once he was assured of their departure, he stealthily made his way to her house. He would use her absence to his advantage. Tonight he would discover a more intimate side to Bedelia.
Once he was assured of their departure, he stealthily made his way to her house. He would use her absence to his advantage. Tonight he would discover a more intimate side to Bedelia.
He usually refrained from going through others personal items, but Bedelia was a different matter. Her persona was so like his own demeanour. So like his person suit. Even Will who claimed to be like him was predictable. Sure he was a challenge in his own unique way, but the people around him easily manipulated him. Bedelia wasn't. She was cold and calculating.
Hannibal entered her house with ease. Using a small light, he searched her home for anything that would provide him with insight or a key to Bedelia inner thoughts.
Nothing. He found nothing in her domain. Her house reflected her immaculate persona to perfection. His final destination was her bedroom.
He stood at the entrance an inhaled deeply. Her scent was the strongest here. It invaded his nostrils as he walked towards her nightstand and made quick work of the lock.
Inside he found a gun, knife and a black book.
His mind pictured Bedelia using either one of these weapons to end another's life.
Careful not to disturb the other items he lifted the book from the nightstand. He gingerly leafed through the black book. He smiled like the cat that got the canary when he saw Bedelia's neat penmanship scrawled across the pages. He never considered Bedelia to be the type to keep a diary.
He leafed through the pages slowly. He stopped when he saw his name. His eyes had barely grazed the words surrounding his name when he heard a car.
He reluctantly put the book back in place and locked the drawer. Through the window, he saw a cab pulling away and heard the front door opening.
Bedelia had taken a cab? Where was her date?
He quickly hid in her walk-in closet, biding his time as she entered the house. After a few minutes, he watched through the opening as she turned on the light.
Bedelia sighed as she placed her coat and purse on her dresser. She quickly released her long hair from its confines as she removed her shoes.
Hannibal knew if she discovered him, it would be easy to kill her. He could twist her neck and listen to the bones cracking. Or he could use her knife to slit her throat open. The image of her blood flowing from the gaping wound unto her porcelain skin entered his mind. It would be easy to kill her, but he found a part of him didn't want to end her life.
His thoughts were derailed by Bedelia undoing the zipper of her dress. Hannibal had never been one to fall prey to carnal lust, but this woman seemed to awaken something within him; he couldn't begin to understand.
The dress pooled at her feet, revealing her creamy skin. She walked towards her dresser clad in her lacy black bra and underwear. Hannibal felt his fine trousers become a tad constricting. A particular part of his anatomy felt the need to vocalize his desire.
He could find no fault with her body as his eyes caressed the lines and curves of her body. He wanted nothing more than to reveal himself to her.
After slipping on a blue camisole, she went to the bathroom to finish preparing for bed.
When she returned, she took two sleeping pills and slipped beneath the covers.
Bedelia unlocked her nightstand and pulled out her black book. She was barely opening it when her phone rang.
"Hello."
Hannibal noticed the way her jaw clenched.
"I don't care to listen to your apologies or sentiments of guilt. Don't contact me again."
Hannibal stared at her in confusion as she hung up on the caller. He saw her grimace as she began to write.
When the pills began to take effect, she put her book away and went to sleep.
He waited patiently for her breathing to even out before stepping out of his hiding spot.
He approached her bed like a predator would its prey. She looked peaceful as she slept.
As he watched her, he noticed a mark on her wrist; he had been too distracted to see earlier.
Hannibal bristled when he saw purple bruises in the shape of handprints forming on her shoulders and hand.
He opened the drawer quietly and flipped her black book open to her last entry. As he did, he felt anger consume him. That fool dared to harm his Bedelia. As much as he wanted to know what she thought of him, he had more pressing matters to attend.
Placing the book back he made to leave, but not before placing a quick kiss to Bedelia's furrowed brow, taking pleasure at sight her forehead smoothing.
He smiled as he turned drove away from her house. He would make Bedelia an excellent dinner with that repugnant man. After all, she had said she couldn't eat dinner at his home. She never said they couldn't eat dinner at hers.