“Dr. Lecter, we have some extraordinary circumstances here and some unusual opportunities.”
“For whom?”
“For you, if we save this one. Did you see Senator Martin on television?”
“Yes, I saw the news.”
“What did you think of the statement?”
“Misguided but harmless. She’s badly advised.”
“She’s very powerful, Senator Martin. And determined.”
“Let’s have it.”
“I think you have extraordinary insight. Senator Martin has indicated that if you help us get Catherine Baker Martin back alive and unharmed, she’ll help you get transferred to a federal institution, and if there’s a view available, you’ll get it. You may also be asked to review written psychiatric evaluations of incoming patients—a job, in other words. No relaxing of security restrictions.”
“I don’t believe that, Clarice.”
“You should.”
“Oh, I believe you. But there are more things you don’t know about human behavior than how a proper flaying is conducted. Would you say that for a United States Senator, you’re an odd choice of messenger?”
“I was your choice, Dr. Lecter. You chose to speak to me. Would you prefer someone else now? Or maybe you don’t think you could help.”
“That is both impudent and untrue, Clarice. I don’t believe Jack Crawford would allow any compensation ever to reach me.… Possibly I’ll tell you one thing you can tell the Senator, but I operate strictly COD. Maybe I’ll trade for a piece of information about you. Yes or no?”
“Let’s hear the question.”
“Yes or no? Catherine’s waiting, isn’t she? Listening to the whetstone? What do you think she’d ask you to do?”
“Let’s hear the question.”
“What’s your worst memory of childhood?”
Starling took a deep breath.
“Quicker than that,” Dr. Lecter said. “I’m not interested in your worst invention.”
“The death of my father,” Starling said.
“Tell me.”
“He was a town marshal. One night he surprised two burglars, addicts, coming out of the back of the drugstore. As he was getting out of his pickup he short-shucked a pump shotgun and they shot him.”
“Short-shucked?”
“He didn’t work the slide fully. It was an old pump gun, a Remington 870, and the shell hung up in the shell carrier. When it happens the gun won’t shoot and you have to take it down to clear it. I think he must have hit the slide on the door getting out.”
“Was he killed outright?”
“No. He was strong. He lasted a month.”
“Did you see him in the hospital?”
“Dr. Lecter—yes.”
“Tell me a detail you remember from the hospital.”