Hannibal: Dark Symphony Book 1 (Completed)

A Game For Two

Doctor Louis Shaw was assigned as Will Graham's shrink since day one in the witness protection program. It was not the job he hoped for but the FBI does not care for one's personal wishes. 

Shaw was well acqainted with Graham's case since that man was some kind of a mystery in both medical and detective circles. Some claimed he was a genius, other determined him as a "madman who must be behind bars". After few months with Will , dr. Shaw could finally take a side in this debate.

Will Graham was both of these  -  a genius and a madman. There was a darkness in him that none of the existing psych books could explain.
It wasn't a sickness that made him act as he did, but some twisted need of Hannibal's approval.
  In Shaw's opinion the FBI could benefit from Will's gift as long he was kept away from Lecter since the later's influence was definetely toxic and destructive.

Louis felt more anxious than ever. He was given a task by the FBI - to write an exhaustive report on Graham's behavior,a report  which should include a recommendation whether Will was safe for the society or his freedom meant danger.

There was something wrong with Graham's reaction toward the recent events. He showed no emotion after realising that peoole when cared about were killed in cold blood. One should argue that sometimes in order to protect our sanity in moments of loss we shut away from the world and sink into our own world made of grief.
  
This couldn't be applied to Will at the current situation. As an experienced professional Shaw could see that Graham's grief was fake. How could a man who went through such disastrous events have a great appetite and spend his time watching TV and going through the daily journals?

No, Shaw despite not being as clever  as Lecter or Will, he could identify an alienation in someone's behaviour and that's way there was no way to let Graham.

There was a certain hostility in their last sessions and Louis understood that the time for his report has come.
But things went down.

************************
- May I take a look at it? - Will asked out of no where.

- Take a look at what,Mr. Graham?

- The paper you just put in the envelope. The one saying it's for the best I say at a facility far from the decent folks.

Silence fell in the room. Shaw was not at liberty to discuss the evaluation of his patient and yet Will looked eager to go through it.

- You are aware this report cannot be shared with you. It may not come to your liking the recommendations I have given.

- I'm well acquainted with your "reccomendations" without even reading those shallow notes of yours.
You believe I can serve FBI but only if Hannibal is away from and now that he's back well...that's an obstacle.

- You seemed to get better while you thought he was dead. I know that witness protection programmes are no fun but you were coped with it.
Now that the plot has twisted things are going back to the beginning- Lecter is on a spree and you are torn between the grief from what you've lost and the admiration of Hannibal's attempt to avenge you. Isn't that right ?

Will laughed. Shaw shivered at the sound of this almost demon like sound.

- Torn? How naive you are all. More than ever I'm aware of how I feel. And  grief is not a part of the picture.  I feel victorious since no one around could understand what was happening.  Only he knew. He always does.

- Mr.Graham whom do you refer as he? Is it Lecter?

- The only one who got me. He never pointed a finger at my flaws and saved me from all those people who used me and than treated me if I were a lunatic.

- What are you saying is ...

- Don't waste your breath, Dr.Shaw. This is not your story to tell. It's mine and his and it was developing for months right under your and FBI' s noses.