Chapters 16 - 20 Summary

Chapter 16: A blouse bearing Catherine Baker Martin's laundry mark is found in a homeless man's cart by the local police; the slit up the back of the blouse is characteristic of Buffalo Bill. By 6:30 a.m., Crawford hears directly from the FBI Director, who tells him the President has taken a personal interest in the case. Senator Martin, aware of Bella's illness, has offered Crawford a Lear jet so he can fly home at night while working the investigation. Crawford tells the Director that if the kidnapper is Buffalo Bill, he may panic when he realizes he's caught the Senator's daughter and kill her right away, instead of waiting his usual seven to ten days.

Chapter 17: Starling hears the news while waiting in line to shower in the dormitory bathroom. She reacts quickly, commandeering the bathroom and then packing an overnight...