After greeting them as if they were old friends, Hannibal pointed to the restaurant not far behind him. “Have you eaten yet?” “Would you like to join me for dinner?” As he spoke, the psychologist looked at the two police officers in front of him. “Officers, is that all right?” “I have told you everything that I know.” “If there is anything else you need, please come with a search warrant.” “I am about to entertain my guest.” Hannibal was polite yet made it clear that refusal was not an option. Jason had witnessed the frying process with his own eyes. It was an open kitchen. Sitting at the dining table, one could see everything inside the kitchen. Naturally, that included the process of making the food. Jason’s gaze had been fixed on Hannibal. It wasn’t because of the other’s focus while cooking. Nor was it because of the rhythm of cooking that was akin to art. The faint scent of ‘food’! The other had been in contact with food not long ago. And not just one kind! Jason forced himself to suppress the excitement that came with facing ‘food’. This was also why Jason still had Hannibal push Edward and little Bansey out and chose to turn a blind eye. After all, there were some things it was better not to see if Edward and little Bansey did not know about them. “Would you like some black pepper?” After placing the fried lamb chops in front of Jason, Hannibal asked. Immediately, Hannibal turned and went back to the kitchen. He brought out a standard pepper grinder. With a slight twist, specks of black pepper powder appeared on the lamb chops, making the plating with the little tomatoes and endives on the side even more tempting. Hannibal held the pepper grinder behind him with one hand and gestured an invitation with the other hand in front. When he saw Jason pick up the lamb chops without any hesitation, he couldn’t help but smile, turned, and put the pepper grinder away before going to prepare the violin. But just as he turned around — Hannibal’s body stiffened. He turned back, shocked to see that the specially prepared, extra-large serving of lamb chops had been polished off, even the tomatoes and endives on the plate were gone. Bear in mind, that was a serving for six. He had seen Jason’s appetite before, so he had specially prepared this extra-large portion foreseeing Jason’s visit. But who could have thought Jason would eat so fast, And not even leave the bones behind? Hannibal recovered quickly. He revealed an excited, thrilled smile for no apparent reason. As if he had encountered … a kin of sorts. Responding very politely to Jason. “It was my oversight.” “Just a moment, it will be right up.” Saying so, Hannibal returned to the kitchen. He pulled open a huge freezer door, and a whole tub of marinated lamb chops was brought out by him. Like caressing a lover’s hand, Hannibal wrapped these chops in kitchen paper, smacking them repeatedly to extract the blood, then he cut the meat carefully and quickly. The frying pan was already preheated. Two spoonfuls of olive oil. A piece of lamb chop was immediately placed in it. The collision of fat and meat created smoke that rose up and the aroma dispersed. The high heat began, quickly turning the meat, and after the color changed on both sides, the flame was turned down to medium and then low heat. Once the lamb chop was fully cooked, Hannibal took it off the stove, plated it carefully, and served it to Jason. This time, he did not turn around. He watched as Jason seriously folded the lamb chop to fit perfectly into his mouth, and then… He swallowed it in one gulp. The bones under Jason’s teeth were like crispy noodles, and with a crisp sound, the entire piece of lamb chop disappeared. Gone with it were the side dishes on the plate. Licking the grease from the corner of his mouth, Jason looked at Hannibal. The hunger in his eyes was so stirring, so beautiful, so thrilling to his whole body. “Just a moment, more is on the way.” Hannibal spoke up again. Serving after serving of lamb chops arrived in front of Jason. Only when his last stock was gone did Jason stop. Hannibal, looking at the longing on Jason’s face, apologized with regret: