Victim: Roger Adler Jefferson, male, age 46. Divorced, father of two, with part-time custody.

Discovery: At 8 a.m., his body was found in his home by his new girlfriend. He was laid out on the dining table—stretched, posed. One arm was pulled behind his back, the other rested gently over his heart.

Cause of Death: The victim had been cut open from the chest to the lower abdomen while still alive. His ribs were broken and splayed outward in a grotesque, deliberate fashion. He died only minutes after the attack. His liver and lungs were missing. In their place, his hollowed torso had been carefully filled with fruit and flowers.

Possible Suspect: The Chesapeake Ripper.

As a forensic pathologist, your job was to determine the cause and nature of death. This time, it didn’t take much deduction. The brutality, the precision, the chilling artistry—it all pointed to a single, familiar name.

You were studying the crime scene photos, absorbed in their gruesome details, when the lab door slammed shut behind you.

You turned. Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter entered the room.

Will's expression was tight, disturbed, though calm. Hannibal’s face was unreadable—curious, perhaps, even intrigued.

Will: “The victim was most certainly killed by the Chesapeake Ripper. The artistry, the missing organs, the method—it all fits.”

Hannibal turned to Will, a faint glimmer of something like approval flickering in his eyes. He then looked at you. You knew who he was. He, however, didn’t know you.

Hannibal: “The pose is reminiscent of Friedrich Wilhelm’s painting Ophelia. Arms extended. One hand resting on the heart. The symbolism is... intentional.” His voice was calm, too calm. As he stepped closer to examine the photographs, your mind was already racing.

He came over to stand beside you. His gaze roaming over the body.

Will: "Hm, could be... but why? Why the position, why the symbolisme, why the fruit and flowers" he hummed poundering "Is it a message? But then to who?" he murmered under his breath, talking his hypothesis outloud.