Mason is furious. Without any children ready to emotionally torture, he orders Cordell to feed ornamental carp to the moray eel. He reviews a tourist's tape of Pazzi's murder. Starling becomes “the de factor low-level liaison between the FBI and the Italian authorities” concerning Lecter (260). She tries to gather as much information as she can, regretting that Crawford—as he approaches retirement—is increasingly absent from her life. She realizes that Lecter's expensive “tastes” in wine, music, cars, and other items could be tracked (263). While researching his love of “rarefied things” (265), she begins to develop a similar taste.

Lecter sends a letter to Mason on “the subject of [Mason’s] former nose” (268). He mocks Mason for the failed kidnapping and promises that Mason will “see [Lecter's] face” before he dies (269). Mason summons Krendler, who talks about their options. They have several corrupt officials they can lean on, concerning Mason's pursuit of Lecter and the upcoming legislation regarding humane slaughter. After Krendler leaves, Margot confronts her brother about what she really wants. She and her girlfriend, Judy, “want to have a baby” (276). They need the baby to have Verger DNA so that it can inherit the family fortune one day.