Eat the Rude

     "There really is no negotiation on this Dr. Roque. Will Graham is my patient. I know your reputation for poaching and while you intimidation tactics may have worked on a few of our lesser coligues, they won't work on me."

Juliette leaned back in her chair and tossed the file she was holding on the table. The look on her face was one of annoyance and determination.

    "You really don't want to let this one go Juliette?"

Dr. Stephanie Roque sat across the table from her in the low lights of Juliette's office. She had come there today with a proposition. She had heard about Will Graham from a friend in the small psychology community there. She was a well known poacher, a psychologist who doesn't have enough renown herself to have patients seek her out so she steals what she can using bargins and underhanded tactics. Juliette felt a deep seeded hate for her. There was nothing in this world she found more abhoring than a doctor using insidious tactics to steal patients. She was civil to her because she was a lady and after all, she didn't want to be rude.

     "I am surprised you would even think of coming to my home and presenting me with this."

     "Some would call that courage Juliette."

A cat like grin crossed Juliette's red lips.

     "Really? I would call it rude, vulgar, discourteous.....courage is not a word that comes to mind."

Stephanie's face changed. Juliette could tell she was done being polite.

     "Although, this offer is quite inventive. Will Graham in exchange for two of your patients. Laughable almost. Will Graham is not available Dr. Roque, I'm sorry. Now if you would excuse me, I am expecting Mr. Graham for an appointment so I will show you out."

Juliette stood and walked to the door of her office expecting Dr. Roque to follow. Instead she stayed sitting and pulled a file out of her cheap looking purse.

     "It's always interesting what psychologists do in their off time, like dating other psychologists that are wanted by the FBI. I don't blame you though, Hannibal Lecter is a very handsome man."

Juliette shut the door and calmly walked to her desk.

     "You would be surpised at the other things I would do in my off time Dr. Roque. Such as reading, composing music...."

Juliette quietly unlocked a small drawer in her desk and took out an ornately carved black antler dagger. She walked behind Dr. Roque, her heels clicking along the dark wood floor.

     "And collecting ancient daggers."

Before Stephanie had a chance to process what Juliette had said, the dagger plunged into the base of her skull, severing her spinal cord and leaving her paralyzed but still alive. Juliette walked in front of her looking into her eyes, making sure Dr. Roque saw her pick up the file she assumed was full of information on her and Hannibal's relationship and threw it into the fireplace.

     "You should have left while you still had the chance, my dear. Unfortunately you no longer have that option. Don't worry, you won't feel a thing."

Juliette grabbed the knife and twisted it sharply. Dr. Roque slumped forward in her chair, dead. Juliette pulled out the dagger and wiped it clean with a rag before throwing the rag in the fire and putting the dagger safely back in it's locked drawer. She opened the trap door beneath the ornate black and red rug and pushed the body down into her basement. That would be something she would have to deal with later. She was expecting Will and the blood on her hands needed to be cleaned.