The Other Hobbs (Hannibal×OFC×Will)

Chapter Eight

Amelia heard a knock at her door that Saturday night. She found herself hoping it was Will. Or Hannibal. Instead, she was shocked to find Jack Crawford.

"Good evening, Ms. Hobbs. I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all. Would you like to come in?"

"Oh, I won't be long, but thank you for the invitation. How are you finding Baltimore?"

"Well enough; thank you for asking, agent Crawford. How have you been?"

"I've been doing okay. Your family's case, however, is really giving me a workout. I hope I don't offend you, but I can't shake the feeling that your sister is more involved than we've been led to believe. Has she confided in you about anything?"

"I'm not offended; you're simply doing your job. Unfortunately, Abby doesn't like to talk about anything to do with Garrett or the murders. I can see why you would be suspicious though. They spent so much time together that it's hard to imagine her being completely oblivious to what he was doing."

"I'm glad you understand. Were you at all suspicious of his activities?"

"Not really. Although the way he was fixated on her as soon as her senior year started made my mother and I both uncomfortable. He wanted to be with her every waking moment, yet he would randomly distance himself for no apparent reason."

"That's certainly odd behavior."

"And sometimes they would both disappear together for a day or two. She always seemed on edge when they got back."

"And that didn't strike you as a red flag?"

"Not to that extent. I assumed she just didn't know how to help him with his feelings about her leaving for college and it made her tense."

"I can see your reasoning. However, Garrett is dead and no longer an issue; if your sister was involved in any way though, that opens up a whole new case."

"I wish to help you anyway I can, agent Crawford; but as far as I know, Abby didn't have any involvement with Garrett's... activities."

"Okay, Ms. Hobbs. Thank you for your time. If there's anything else I need I'll give you a call. I'm sorry I still have to bother you about all this, but we have to be thorough."

"I understand. Have a good evening, agent Crawford."

"You can call me Jack, since we'll be seeing each other from time to time still. Goodnight, Amelia."

She nodded in response as he turned to leave.

The nerve! Proposing that Abby is an accomplice to murder... It couldn't be true. Could it?

Amelia became lost in thought at the possibility that she was in denial about Abigail taking part in Garrett's murders when her phone started going off. She looked at the called ID to see it was Abigail. She felt apprehension as she swiped the screen to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey, can you come pick me up? I'm off the back road that goes to the hospital."

"And you can't just walk back for what reason?"

"They uh... don't exactly know I'm gone."

"Oh, for God's sake, Abby... Why did you sneak out?"

"I was getting bored sitting in that room. Wouldn't you be too?"

Amelia let out an exasperated sigh.

"Alright... I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay, thank you. I'll be waiting."