[ Abigail is lucky she's not saying that to the Abel Gideon of months past, who would not take the accusation -- however unintentional -- gracefully. Right now, he simply holds her gaze, expression drawn but neutral.

The silence holds as well for a span of seconds, nearly a minute, though his fingers drum very slowly on the armrests of his chair. Then, he repeats: ]

Oh is right.

[ He is, to her credit, mildly surprised by the direct answer. ]

I would agree that the spotlight on my brief career as the Chesapeake Ripper has faded. Some things... never meant to last. Does that make them any less real, Ms. Hobbs?

Will Graham's design is more complicated than even he knows. Including, I would suspect, his designs for you.

[ And Hannibal Lecter. But let's leave him out of the conversation as much as possible, thinks Gideon. ]