The Silence of the Lambs - Thomas Harris [69]
“To work with the medical records?”
They were in front of the drugstore now.
"Not unless the clinics stonewall us and we have to take the records. I want you in Memphis. We have to hope Lecter tells Senator Martin something useful. But I want you to be close by, just in case--- if he gets tired of toying with her, maybe he'll talk to you. In the meantime, I want you to try to get a feel for Catherine, how Bill might have spotted her. You're not a lot older than Catherine, and her friends might tell you things they wouldn't tell somebody that looks more like a cop.
“We've still got the other things going. Interpol's working on identifying Klaus. With an ID on Klaus we can take, a look at his associates in Europe and in California where he had his romance with Benjamin Ras?pail. I'm going to the University of Minnesota--- we got off on the wrong foot up there--- and I'll be in Washing?ton tonight. I'll get the coffee now. Whistle up Jeff and the van. You're on a plane in forty minutes.”
The red sun had reached threequarters of the way down the telephone poles. The sidewalks were still violet. Starling could reach up into the light as she waved for Jeff.
She felt lighter, better. Crawford really was very good. She knew that his little nitrogen question was a nod to her forensic background, meant to please her and to trigger ingrained habits of disciplined thinking. She wondered if men actually regard that kind of ma?nipulation as subtle. Curious how things can work on you even when you recognize them. Curious how the gift of leadership is often a coarse gift.
Across the street, a figure coming down the steps of the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. It was Barney, looking even larger in his lumber jacket. He was carrying his lunchpail.
Starling mouthed “Five minutes” to Jeff waiting in the van. She caught Barney as he was unlocking his old Studebaker.
“Barney.”
He turned to face her, expressionless. His eyes may have been a bit wider than usual. He had his weight on both feet.
“Did Dr. Chilton tell you you'd be all right from this?”
“What else would he tell me?”
“You believe it?”
The corner of his mouth turned down. He didn't say yes or no.
“I want you to do something for me. I want you to do it now, with no questions. I'll ask you nicely--- we'll start with that. What's left in Lecter's cell?”
“A couple of books--- Joy of Cooking, medical journals. They took his court papers.”
“The stuff on the walls, the drawings?”
“It's still there.”
“I want it all and I'm in a hell of a hurry.”
He considered her for a second. “Hold on,” he said and trotted back up the steps, lightly for such a big man.
Crawford was waiting for her in the van when Bar?ney came back out with rolled drawings and the papers and books in a shopping bag.
“You sure I knew the bug was in that desk I brought you?” Barney said as handed her the stuff.
“I have to give that some thought. Here's a pen, write your phone numbers on the bag. Barney, you think they can handle Dr. Lecter?”
“I got my doubts and I said so to Dr. Chilton. Re?member I told you that, in case it slips his mind. You're all right, Officer Starling. Listen, when you get Buffalo Bill?”
“Yeah?”
“Don't bring him to me just because I got a vacancy, all right?” He smiled. Barney had little baby teeth.
Starling grinned at him in spite of herself. She flapped a wave back over her shoulder as she ran to the van.
Crawford was pleased.
The Silence of the Lambsr
CHAPTER 32
The Grumman Gulfstream carrying Dr. Hannibal Lecter touched down in Memphis with two puffs of blue tire smoke. Following directions from the tower, it taxied fast toward the Air National Guard hangars, away from the passenger terminal. An Emergency Ser?vice ambulance