North American detective: From scoundrel to god among men

Chapter 17 Greed

On his way back, Titus recalled his last conversation with Lecter:

"Everyone has desires. What do you think Buffalo Bill was after?"

"To become a woman?"

"So, Titan, what is it that you covet, and why do you covet it?"

……

At the FBI, Titus had just finished compiling and submitting his report when his colleague John reminded him to keep an eye on the news.

He opened his phone, and the first news item that popped up was:

"Hannibal Lecter revealed crucial information about Buffalo Bill to Congressman Martin, and Mr. Chilton played a key role in this process."

Titus clicked on the news, and in the video, Chilton, dressed smartly and smiling broadly, said:

"Hannibal Lecter was a criminal I kept in custody for a long time."

"I have been evaluating him since he was taken into custody, and I know him inside and out!"

"This time, thanks to my facilitation, tireless efforts, and persistence, he is willing to cooperate with Congressman Martin and disclose details of the Buffalo Bill case."

"Fellow journalists, don't worry, we have obtained crucial evidence! Buffalo Bill is a transvestite!"

Upon seeing this, Titus and Starling both thought: What a stupid traitor!

Previously, Chilton was unaware that Lecter knew about Buffalo Bill.

Titus had no obligation to inform Chilton of the conversation, and Lecter himself looked down on Chilton and would not do so.

The result was obvious: Chilton learned about the conversation through some unknown wiretapping method, then bypassed them and reported it to the media and Congressman Martin. This idiot even revealed details of the case in order to show off in front of reporters!

The video is still playing; it's Representative Martin speaking.

"We have decided that the police will take Hannibal Lecter and transfer him to a new secret containment facility..."

Transfer...

Titus thought that, if he remembered correctly, Hannibal had escaped during the transfer.

He made a quick decision and called Crawford.

The call was answered shortly after:

"Mr. Crawford, I don't know if you've heard the news, but they're moving Lecter to a new—"

"I'm about to be kicked out of this case, Titans. They're not even planning to give me three days."

"The Buffalo Bill case? That was my negligent superior, but I called for something else."

"What is it?"

"Regarding Dr. Lecter, he is an extremely cunning man. I believe he lied to us. He said he wanted a better containment facility, but based on my observation, his ultimate goal was to escape completely."

Do you believe there is a risk in the police taking him into custody?

"Change means the unknown, sir."

"I will mention this to the police. I have read the report. This was a lead we had, but now... the police are asking us to cooperate in the investigation. They say Lecter revealed Buffalo Bill's name, and they are currently investigating."

Titus hesitated for a moment, then said:

"I don't think it's that simple. Lecter is probably lying to us; he does that all the time, doesn't he?"

"Furthermore, I think it's quite possible that he escaped using something trivial, like an eraser, a toothbrush, or a pencil."

Crawford sighed and replied:

"Titus, the police and lawmakers have pledged to do everything they can to investigate this damned name. We have no other choice."

"And this is our only lead."

Titus asked:

"Did you investigate the transgender hospital connection?"

"We investigated, and it was a cover-up; there was nothing there."

"..."

"Listen, you and Clarice have both done well lately. Tell her not to worry about the exam. You'll get your signatures after the case is solved. I won't keep this honor to myself."

"The case is closed, Titus."

He then heard someone call Crawford's name, and the phone was hung up.

Titus put down the phone, and Starling stared intently at him with a questioning look in her eyes.

He knew Crawford was wrong, that Dr. Lecter had given a false name, but he had no evidence to prove it.

Besides, it's troublesome. He understands Crawford; he's officially assisting in the case, and the police have already given their assurances, so why should he get involved in this mess?

To avoid creating uncertainty and suspicion among subordinates?

Titus could have easily avoided getting involved in this mess and waited for the police to fail and for the senators to regain their trust in the FBI, which would have made it easier for them to investigate.

Moreover, his and Starling's contributions to the case are undeniable, and Crawford has promised him a signature.

There's no need to worry about not being able to complete the mission. Buffalo Bill will be caught sooner or later. As long as he continues to commit crimes, he will have endless opportunities. It's just a matter of having a few more victims.

This is the safest approach. When his guess is confirmed, he will receive unprecedented attention because he was the only one who raised questions when Lecter was playing the police for fools.

But he can't do that. He knows the truth and will stop at nothing to push all the advantages to his own advantage.

Even if the price is the life of an innocent person?

He didn't consider himself the kind of person who could be decisive and ruthless, and he couldn't be that resolute.

Moreover, what difference is there between sitting idly by and condoning the murderer?

He saw the serious look in Starling's eyes; she didn't want that girl to die.

Titus closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were clear and his mind was at peace. He said:

"The transgender hospital connection turned out to be a cover-up, and Crawford led us to find a new breakthrough."

Starling nodded, cursing angrily:

"That bastard Hannibal!"

"But if Bill is indeed a transvestite, and Hannibal wasn't lying to us about this, could we check with women's clothing stores to see which white adult men buy women's clothing?"

Titus immediately denied it:

"This is like finding a needle in a haystack. Many men buy women's clothing for their spouses, daughters, sisters, etc., and besides, Bill's women's clothing may not even be bought."

Starling chewed on her pen cap, lost in thought, as did Titus, who began to organize the clues.

A white adult male, owning at least a two-story house, a large truck or van, habitually dumping bodies near interstate highways, hostages usually survive for about a week...

Diamond-shaped peeling, scalp, torso...

What drives him to be so cruel? He wants to be a woman; he's using a woman's skin to create a shell, and by wearing that shell, he can become a woman.

Why did he want to be a woman? Because of his childhood experiences, he believed that being a woman was good and would protect him from violence... because the female elders in his family were the abusers!

Are the female parents who commit domestic violence? Finding this clue is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Leaving aside the question of what age group of woman she is looking for, she may not even be a housewife, and may not be related by blood. Not to mention that domestic violence is common in North America.

There must be something that has been overlooked!

and many more……

Titus recalled his last conversation with Dr. Lecter:

"Everyone has desires. What do you think Buffalo Bill was after?"