A celebration party was underway.
FBI trainee agent Clarice Starling had tracked down and killed the serial psychopath known as Buffalo Bill in one stroke, earning herself a commendation.
Just as she was celebrating, a call came in.
"Starling."
Clarice answered the phone.
"Hello, Starling."
A terrifyingly familiar voice came from the other end. "Have the lambs stopped screaming?"
"Dr. Lecter?"
Clarice asked in a trembling voice.
Compared to Buffalo Bill, this man was the true super psychopath—a highly intelligent criminal and cannibal.
To catch Buffalo Bill, she had sought his help while he was still in prison, using his status as a master of criminal psychology to obtain clues.
But before she had even become a full agent, she had been forced to use the art of negotiation favored by official agents.
She had gotten him transferred to a prison with better conditions, giving him the opportunity to kill several guards and successfully escape.
"Don't bother tracing this call. I won't be speaking for long."
Dr. Hannibal Lecter smiled faintly.
"Where are you, Dr. Lecter?"
Clarice gripped the phone and looked around in terror, afraid Hannibal might suddenly appear.
"I don't intend to come after you anymore. With you around, this world is more interesting."
Dr. Hannibal Lecter smiled. "Take care of yourself. Repay me someday."
"I can't make that promise."
Clarice let out a sigh of relief.
"I hope we can talk a little longer."
Dr. Hannibal Lecter smiled. "It's just that I recently encountered someone even more interesting. I'm going to give him a surprise. Goodbye."
With that, he hung up at precisely the right moment.
In a secluded corner, a hollow-eyed man snapped a disposable phone in half and began applying makeup before a mirror.
His eyes occasionally flicked toward the red hooded sweatshirt on the