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He had been free for more than 11 years now, but still� In dr. Lecter�s opinion there wasn�t something more beautiful than a window with a view. He tried to catch the sunrise as often as possible and was most of the time before 5 o�clock in the morning awake. The first thing he did every morning was opening the doors of his balcony and standing outside, in the fresh air. Her really enjoyed watching the last stars on the sky and the moon and the changing of colours when the sun came up. He totally didn�t care if it rained or snowed; he stood there every day.
After that he would come inside and would dress up; never did he breakfast without his proper clothes on. Then he left his little hotel room for a small walk around the small, but beautiful city he lived in now. And he would visit the local library and sat there for a couple of hours reading every book he could get his hands on. So he travelled around the world and he still wondered when somebody would found out who he really was. He had given some hints, even with his name. He was now called Doctor Randall Flagg and he still didn�t understand why by nobody rang a small bell when he wrote down that name. People really should read more� it could save lives.
He also bought everyday at least four newspapers. Always the big names like Times, International Herald-Tribune and when he could get his hands on it the China Mail. Maybe he still hoped for a message from Clarice Starling. Clarice. She was in his mind each day and he wondered how her live should be at the moment. He hadn�t heard anything about her, since their last encounter. She hadn�t had done anything big anymore for the FBI.
�Bonjour monsieur!�
He smiled to the young lady who had greeted him so happily. He smelled her perfume like he always had been able too, something not that expensive, but also not cheep. Within a second he had observed her totally; nice brown skirt and blouse, but once again cheep shoes. He seriously wondered why women always didn�t care what they wear on their feet. AND it reminds him again of Clarice.
�Good day, beautiful lady,� he says with a charming smile. �My French is not what it used to be so if you don�t mind I would rather speak English��
�Sorry sir, that doesn�t matter for me. Can I help you?�
Another smile. �Thank you. I would love to have an edition of the Times and the International Herald-Tribune.�
After having paid he walks towards the museum and enters it. He really had always loved the cultural live and there was a certain painting he really wanted to see. Made by Vermeer. In front of the painting he stood for at least 15 minutes. It totally took him away. He didn�t only �looked� at the painting he also let his memories take over. He loved to dwell in the palace of his memory and so he met Barney again. Barney the person who had taken care of him when he was in the psychiatric institute. Barney had done that with a certain respect, although he of course knew what dr. Lecter could do. Barney whose biggest dream was to see every Vermeer in the world. And the same Barney he had seen 4 years ago in the opera. Barney, who would be his next victim if he would meet him again.
He slowly moved his left hand. His NEW left hand. They had given him with the newest techniques a new hand in Brazil without asking any questions. Money makes the world go round. Dr. Lecter had found that out often enough. Almost everything you could get for money. He knew that the doctors who helped him wouldn�t tell anyone that they had met the infamous Hannibal �the Cannibal�. It also of course helped that he had killed the doctors. Some of the patients had eaten well that weak after his operation. Nobody would see the difference between this fake and a real hand. It even moved like a normal one.
Lecter left the museum and went back to his hotel room. He ordered a bottle of expensive wine and sat comfortable down in front of the television checking out the latest news bulletins.
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