North American detective: From scoundrel to god among men

Chapter 18 Miss Frederica Bemel

Everyone has desires; what do people desire...?

Titus's eyes lit up as he looked at Starling:

"Starling, do you remember what Lecter said at the end? 'Everyone has something they want.'"

"What is it that you covet?"

Starling was a little confused. She said:

"What I covet—there are quite a few, like getting a permanent position, decent desserts and milk tea, and—"

Titus interrupted her:

"It's not these things, it's what you crave most deep down, what you desire most..."

He looked directly into Starling's eyes and said:

Tell me, what was the most tragic experience of your childhood?

Starling paused for a moment, then said:

"This doesn't seem to have much to do with solving the case."

Titus said:

"No, the key to the case lies here. Everyone has something they covet. What is it that you covet? The most essential thing."

"I want to know this, tell me."

His words had an irresistible magic; he would get so close to you, looking directly into your eyes.

Starling felt dizzy, with nowhere to hide. Her eyes were unfocused, as if recalling a past event. After a moment, she said:

"I want to...stop those lambs from screaming."

"Lamb, what lamb?"

"I heard a child crying at my uncle's farm, so I rushed over."

"In the animal shed, the lights were dim, and there was blood everywhere. My uncle was cutting their throats with a knife and a hammer."

"The lambs were trembling and screaming, but none of them resisted... I wanted to save them."

"and then?"

"Then I grabbed one of them and ran away."

"Where did they run off to?"

"Near the farm, it didn't run away, my uncle-in-law snatched the lamb."

"But why did you go to your aunt's husband's house? Did your parents force you?"

"No, no! When I was ten, my father was injured by robbers while on duty. My mother was unable to raise three children, so she had to send me, the eldest, to live with my aunt and uncle."

Do you hate her, your mother, hate her for abandoning you?

"I……"

"Do you believe that capturing Buffalo Bill and rescuing Catherine is the same as rescuing the lamb of your childhood?"

Starling didn't answer the question; her mouth was open but she couldn't utter a word.

Titus knew that Starling had spent her entire life trying to escape that farm; it was the deepest wound in her heart.

This is also the reason he asked the question. In the original work, Mads Mikkelsen played the role of a psychologist, helping Starling to recognize her inner trauma and confront it, ultimately successfully overcoming her inner demons.

Now Mads Mikkelsen is busy dissecting his childhood, leaving Starling out of the picture. It's up to him to help poor Starling.

After recovering, Starling said:

"yes!"

Soon, her eyes focused, and her expression became complex.

Starling didn't know why she said so many heartfelt things, but there was no doubt that she was conscious and knew what she had said.

It's hard to describe the feeling. Just like someone who's never drunk alcohol might think that drinking makes you muddled and causes you to talk nonsense. But that's not the case. Drunk people still have the ability to think; they are aware of what they are saying, only after they've spoken it.

In other words, most people are completely unaware that they have been hypnotized.

Starling said:

"You gave me the impression of Dr. Lecter just now. Are the questions you asked really helpful to the case?"

"I know you're lying to me, right?"

Titus nodded:

"A white lie, I'm trying to help you, at least you realize your problem, right?"

Starling pouted. She had reason to be angry. Such rude deception deserved a good scolding, and she was going to tell him to mind his own business.

"Of course, there's also a personal reason behind it; I want to know you better."

"you……"

Seeing her angry expression, Titus knew it was time to get back to the main topic, and he said:

"What people seek is usually what they see in everyday life."

What comes to mind?

Starling ignored him and just stared at him, vowing not to answer any of Titus's questions.

Titus could only ask himself the question:

"Start with the first victim, and begin investigating their interpersonal relationships."

……

The two traveled to Belvidiga, Ohio, where the first victim lived.

The two arrived at their destination, a two-story house with a lawn and a small shed in the yard. Inside the shed, an elderly man was repairing equipment; presumably, he was Bimel's father.

Titus got straight to the point:

"Mr. Bemel, hello. I am FBI Detective Titus Gallagher, and this is my partner, Starling Clarice."

He flashed his FBI badge and continued:

"We want to know about your daughter."

Mr. Bemel replied:

"Hello officer, this place has been searched many times before."

Titus said:

"I want to take another look; perhaps I'll make some unexpected discoveries."

Unable to persuade these two stubborn mules, Bimel led them up to the second floor of the house and pointed to one of the tightly closed rooms, which was his daughter's room.

Bimel suddenly asked:

"I heard on the news that they're close to catching that bastard, is that true?"

"My daughter was murdered on her way to Chicago for a job interview. She was perfectly fine when she went there..."

Titus stopped, nodded, and said:

"You'll catch it soon, trust me."

The two entered the room of the first victim.

The entire room was covered with warm pink floral wallpaper, and the sunlight filled the room beautifully. On the wall was a photo of her and her father. In the photo, she was smiling brightly; she was a chubby girl with beautiful curly hair.

The room was spotless and tidy, suggesting that someone has been taking care of it all along.

The bedside table was piled high with the girl's toys: music boxes, handmade flowers and plants, ceramic cat toys, and so on. Next to the bed was a desk, which was right under the window. Titus could imagine how many days Miss Bemel would lie at the desk, gazing out the window and daydreaming, reading fashion magazines and newly bought novels, feeling joy and sorrow over the plots. There was also a treasured copy of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" on the bookshelf.

He suddenly realized that this was a real girl named Frederica Bimel, not the first victim.

He then recalled that Miss Bemel's body had been exhumed a few days earlier to check for worm eggs in her mouth.

He opened the music box on the bedside table. Inside was a crystal ball with built-in light. The white paper inside the ball shimmered softly, like snowflakes, and music began to play—the instrumental version of "Bad Apple." Titus's heart skipped a beat.

He discovered a hidden compartment in the box, and with a gentle push, a pile of photos fell out.

Those were photos of Miss Beaulieu in her underwear, with most of the shots focusing on her bare back.

"I found sewing tools here, and a skirt with two diamond patterns cut off the back, which is basically the same as the skinning pattern of the sixth victim."

As Starling spoke, she walked over. The two looked at the photo, and simultaneously thought:

This photo was taken from the killer's perspective. Bill knew Miss Bemel, and they were very likely in a romantic relationship!