Status Updates From Hannibal

“The most stable elements, Clarice, appear in the middle of the periodic table, roughly between iron and silver. Between iron and silver. I think that is appropriate for you.”

“Ardelia felt her background, found strength in it every day. Now starling felt for hers, tried to gather herself…for what she needed now, she must consult her blood…there is much honor and more sense in having succeeded with what was left, making something with the damned forty acres and muddy mule, but you have to be able to see that. No one will tell you.”

“Ancient knowledge shining in the black eyes beneath the rim of her straw boater.”

“Starling was an efficient housekeeper, but not a meticulous one. Her side of the duplex was clean and she could find everything, but stuff tended to pile up-clean unsorted laundry, more magazines than places to put them. She was a world-class last-minute ironed and she didn’t need to primp, so she got by.”

“‘You can lead ‘em through hell and make ‘em love you. It’s a gift that I don’t have. I have to drive them.”