In the Palazzo Capponi, Lecter—under the identity Dr. Fell—plays Bach's Goldberg Variations on the piano while looking at the “American trash tabloid” the National Tattler and its article about Clarice Starling (155). Lecter killed his predecessor but has killed no one since, as he has “found a peace” in Florence (156). He enjoys his new job and the access to archives and art that it provides. He is interested in Pazzi, who he notes has been “trained at Quantico” by the FBI (158).

Pazzi continues to investigate Dr. Fell. Pazzi feels forced to choose between capturing the criminal himself and redeeming his public reputation or turning Lecter in to Mason Verger for the large reward. He flies to Paris to call Mason's representatives with “information about Hannibal Lecter” (161). The representative advises him to talk to a Swiss lawyer, who will help arrange for the potential payment of “three million dollars for the doctor alive, no questions asked, discretion guaranteed” (163). He returns home and thinks about his wife and his honor. He wants to be able to give his wife the riches she deserves, and selling Lecter to Mason would allow for this.