FOUND: A Hannigram Devil AU REWRITTEN

Chapter Eight

Will's phone had been buzzing nonstop since the beginning of the prayer circle, but he had known better than to check it. When he and his devilish shadow emerged from behind the cabin, he stared down at the screen to ignore the glares from other people. He paled when he saw all of the missed calls from Jack. He brought the phone up to his ear, bracing himself for a lecture.

"Can anyone hear me?" Jack asked, voice urgent. It created a cloud of dread over Will's shoulders, even heavier than the one that Hannibal had caused moments before.

"No, just me. What's wrong?"

"Katz and company just gave us the DNA results. Nick Boyle's fingerprints and hairs were all over Cassie's body, as well as the antlers she was impaled on."

Will felt the blood drain from his face. Next to him, Hannibal raised his eyebrows. Of course he could hear — he found out everything he wanted to know.

"That means—"

"He killed her. We're on our way to the cabin," Jack interrupted. "I need you to get him somewhere private, preferably inside the cabin. The last thing we need is for this to be a public spectacle. We'll be there in two minutes."

"I'll keep him," Will assured him. "He'll be here when your guys get here."

"Be careful." Jack, as always, hung up before goodbyes could be exchanged.

"We were right, Will," Hannibal remarked. "Two killers. Cassie was obviously an amateur job."

"Ridiculous." Will curled his upper lip, feeling sick. Nick Boyle had everything Will had ever wanted — a loving family member — and he took her for granted. Ripped her life away like she was nothing. And now, he was sharing ground with a killer who wanted to take advantage of a mourning crowd.

"Where's Boyle?" Will hissed to Hannibal. "Have you seen him?"

"Over there," Hannibal flicked his wrist in a subtle gesture. "Alone."

The event was small, and while everyone else spoke to each other in hushed tones Boyle was brooding in the background. There was clear distress in his eyes, emptiness.

"Stay here," Will said to Hannibal. "Maybe try and do some damage control for our little abandonment stunt?"

"Oh, don't worry. They won't remember a thing."

Will suppressed a shudder and attempted to look impassive. He approached Boyle calmly, like one would approach a rabid dog that was close to striking.

"Nicholas Boyle?" He asked, holding up his badge. "Sorry to interrupt. I'm Will Graham— I'm with the FBI." He lowered his voice. "We were actually going to visit you tomorrow until we saw you here. We...we have some new information on the case regarding your sister. We have a suspect in custody now. I wanted to update you on some things."

Nick was a surprisingly good actor— his face contorted into an expression of grief, shoulders falling. "Oh, my God...of course. You really found the guy?"

"Why don't we get some privacy? If you don't mind?" He nodded towards the front door of the house, which had been propped open for guests to enter if they needed. Nick agreed and, with Will following behind, entered the house.

They walked over to the living room farther back, away from any windows. Will shot a text to Jack updating him on his location. Nick stood there expectantly, wringing his hands.

"I've got my boss on the way. He'll be here in just a minute. He's got more information than I can give you."

"You can't tell me now? Anything at all?"