Curious as the Cat

The Dark (Chapter 1)

"Amaya Thatcher?" Jack Crawford greets a woman at her home.

"Agent Crawford," she returns the greeting. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm here on official business I'm afraid," he says. "I need you to come with me."

Amaya follows Jack into a warehouse building.

She recognizes Will Graham.

"What is this?" she asks.

"Where were you over the last few days?" Jack gets right down to business.

"I was in Edmonton visiting my Aunt Madeline," Amaya replies. "Why?"

"Can you verify that?" he prompts.

"I can give you her number," she says. "And my Google Maps history. What's this about?"

"Damian Bishop," he interrupts her and they continue walking down a hall. "The man you accused of stalking you? Ringing any bells?"

She's confused when they turn into a room and she sees Damian in all his naked glory, strung up, castrated and mutilated.

"Jesus Jack, you should've warned her," Will flinches from the sight. "And me, for that matter."

Jack ignores their reactions. "Any idea of who could've done this?"

"No idea," Amaya replies.

She couldn't look away from the gruesome image in front of her. Damian had stalked her for weeks, making it difficult to want to leave her home. Even when she had to.

"Can you think of anyone else you've discussed your grievances with him, who could've done this?" Jack asks.

"I've told you, Will, and Dr. Bloom," she lists them off. "Dr. Bloom asked if she could share my grievances with a colleague and I consented to it."

"That's an intriguing lead," Will bites his thumbnail.

Jack writes it down. "Anyone else?"

"My aunt," Amaya notes. "But she's in Alberta, eighty and has had two hip replacements."

"Not a likely suspect, but I will call her to verify your alibi," Jack assures her. "Did Alana mention the name of the colleague?"

"I think it was Dr. Lecter," she muses. "He's the handsome one, who wears suits all the time right?"

Jack nods, trying to conceal a smirk from her 'handsome' comment. "That would be him."

They arrive at an historical building and go to Dr. Lecter's office.

"Please come in," Hannibal opens the door, inviting them inside.

"We aren't interrupting anything, are we doctor?" Jack asks.

"Not at all," Hannibal assures him. "What can I assist you with?"

"We're following up on a murder case, involving Amaya here," Jack nods in her direction. "She mentioned Dr. Bloom discussing her grievances with you, regarding a stalker."

"Yes I remember," Hannibal confirms. "I hope this didn't get Miss Thatcher in any sort of trouble."

"Well here's the thing," Jack shoves his hands in his pockets. "Damian Bishop has been found brutally murdered."

"That's serious," Hannibal's poker face caught Amaya's interest. "You don't think that she did it, do you?"

"No I don't," Jack says. "But whoever did it has taken an interest in her." He turns to her, "You travel a fair bit, quite often by car, between here and Western Canada."