Hannibal prides himself on managing his life so that everything is elegantly in place and looks perfectly natural and effortless despite the machinations behind the scenes. Even when putting his victims on display he aims to be cultured, refined, such as displaying the lovely Beverly Katz as a Hirst-like work of art, regardless of the ugliness that brought her to that point. Their flight, their escape, would likewise appear effortless. No one will suspect that there is anything unusual about the two men flying to France together, despite it being quite the coup d'état.

Will's question is amusing. "There are few scenarios I have not imagined when it comes to how you and I might move our acquaintance into a new dimension. It is the proper response to the multiplicity of factors. I have pondered many if/then possibilities." He tilts his head slightly. "However," he admits, "this possibility arose rather later than most others."

Much to his disappointment, he had not foreseen Will's betrayal.