Will Graham's former boss, Jack Crawford, visits him at his oceanfront home. Crawford wants to discuss a case involving two families that were killed in their houses a month apart. As they talk, Graham's attention is divided between Crawford and his wife Molly and his 11-year-old stepson Willy. Crawford believes that Graham is the only person capable of catching the psychopathic killer before he strikes again at the next full moon. However, Crawford is concerned because Graham was hurt in a previous investigation that led to the capture of a serial killer named Hannibal Lecter. After Crawford leaves, Graham and Molly have a conversation about his involvement in the case. Molly is worried about Graham being drawn back into a violent world but understands that he has a unique ability to reconstruct the killer's thinking due to his empathy. When Crawford returns, he assures Molly that Graham won't have to fight.
Graham travels to Atlanta to visit the house where the Leeds family was murdered. He wants to visit the crime scene alone because he is unsure of how he will react. Inside the house, Graham follows the killer's route through the rooms and senses madness in the air. The killer entered through the rear of the house and killed the parents and their three children. The mirrors in the house were smashed, and shards of mirrors were placed in the victims' eyes. The bodies were arranged to face the killer as he raped Mrs. Leeds. Graham studies the police reports, the dark stains of blood, and his understanding of the killer's mindset. He writes a memo to Crawford asking about the family dog. Back at his hotel, Graham tries to ignore the people attending a convention and struggles to sleep as he can't stop thinking about the crime scene. He wakes up rigid and sweating, visits a drugstore, and reminisces about
similar stores from his youth. Graham becomes fixated on the killer arranging the Leeds family as a dead audience. He begins to feel a bond of understanding with the killer and suggests that Crawford check Mrs. Leeds's fingernails and toenails for hidden fingerprints.
Graham meets with Crawford at the Atlanta police headquarters. He explains his theory that the killer may have removedhis gloves during an intimate moment with Mrs. Leeds, leaving behind possible fingerprints. Crawford arranges for a fingerprint specialist named Jimmy Price to examine the evidence before Mrs. Leeds's funeral. The Atlanta Chief of Detectives, Buddy Springfield, gives a briefing on the lack of progress in the investigation. The FBI has discovered a clear bite mark on a piece of cheese in the Leeds family's refrigerator that matches the bite marks on Mrs. Leeds's body. Crawford assures the detectives that they are all working towards the same goal and emphasizes that he doesn't care about getting credit for any arrest. Graham reluctantly speaks to the group and suggests investigating individuals with a history of biting. Commander Lewis warns his team not to use the nickname "Tooth Fairy" for the killer, finding it too flippant. Crawford receives news that Price has found a partial set of prints, just as Graham predicted. As they leave the police building, a reporter named Freddy Lounds from The National Tattler shouts at Graham, reminding him of a previous article that portrayed him negatively. Crawford chases Lounds away, and later, he and Graham discuss the case at a diner. They plan to consult with a forensic scientist named Alan Bloom to create a psychological profile of the killer. Bloom suggests that the killer might be disfigured, which Graham agrees with. Graham prepares to delve into the cases involving the murder of the Jacobi family.
A meter reader named Hoyt Lewis stops his van near the Leeds home and hears the voice of a customer named H. G. Parsons, whom he finds annoying. They argue about someone else reading the meter recently. Lewis later talks to his supervisor at a bar, who suggests that he inform the police about this information.
Graham returns to the Leeds house to further understand how the family lived. He examines their possessions, reads passages from Mrs. Leeds's diary, and listens to her voice on the answering machine. He watches an uncollected reel of Super Eight movie film, which depicts a pleasant home movie. Graham develops a fondness for the Leeds family and ponders how the killer might have observed them. That night, he calls Molly and expresses his feelings of loneliness. When Molly jokingly refers to him as having a "criminal mind," Graham reacts defensively. After the call, he regrets snapping at her.
The Atlanta police are going through tips and calls related to the case. They come across information that the Jacobi family had recently buried their cat, which had been strangled by the children. Springfield and Graham read Hoyt's report about the mysterious meter reader. They visit the Leeds house and discover that the backyard extends deep into the woods. They speak to the increasingly absentminded Parsons and manage to extract a vague description of the unknown meter reader through subtle manipulation. Springfield believes they have a whiff of the suspect for the first time. He asks Graham about the Lecter case, and although Graham is reluctant to talk about it, he eventually reveals what he knows. Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist, had killed nine people and severely injured two others. Graham insists that Lecter is not crazy but simply enjoys doing horrific things without remorse or guilt. Graham caught Lecter because the injuries on one victim matched a historical medical illustration named Wound Man. Lecter attacked Graham when he began to suspect him. The police debate whether they should publicize the information they have or if it would cause the killer to change his behavior. When Crawford returns, Graham tells him that he needs to see Lecter.
Graham meets with Dr. Frederick Chilton, the chief of staff at the
Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Chilton briefs Graham on Hannibal Lecter, expressing his fascination with Graham's unique psychological profile. He mentions that many professionals have tried to study Lecter without success. Chilton explains that Lecter had been well-behaved until he complained of a heart issue and attacked the nurses, blinding one and tearing out another's tongue. Chilton believes that Lecter is too sophisticated for psychological tests and admits that Graham is the only person who has shown any practical understanding of Lecter. Graham is led to Lecter's cell, where Lecter wakes up and recognizes Graham's aftershave. Graham is aware of Lecter's manipulative nature but struggles to maintain his composure. Lecter probes Graham about how he caught him, and Graham asks for help with the current case. Lecter correctly identifies Graham's aftershave brand, and as Graham begins to feel numb, Lecter talks about the shy killer, suggesting a special relationship with the moon and advising Graham to check the families' backyards. After leaving the cell and the hospital, Graham feels even more numb and runsoutside. In the parking lot, Freddy Lounds takes a photograph of Graham, which is later published in the Tattler with a headline suggesting Graham is criminally insane.
Lecter thinks about his conversation with Graham while in his cell. He requests a telephone call to his lawyer but instead calls Bloom's office, where he convinces the secretary to give him Graham's home address. He contemplates surprising Graham with a call.
Introduces Francis Dolarhyde, who works at a film development laboratory in St. Louis. He has a speech impediment and is self-conscious about his cleft lip and palate. Dolarhyde talks to a woman named Eileen at work, who apologizes on behalf of their colleague Bob, who had been mocking Dolarhyde's speech at a party. Dolarhyde accepts the apology. After work, Dolarhyde returns to the house his grandparents left him and inspects it for security. He dresses in a kimono and stands before a William Blake painting titled The Great Red Dragon and the Woman
Clothed with the Sun, which sexually arouses him. He watches a version of the Leeds family video that has been edited to include scenes of his own nude body in front of the painting and scenes of the murder. Dolarhyde is disappointed with his performance and vows to maintain some aesthetic distance in his next act.
Graham visits Birmingham and tries to find a connection between the Leeds and Jacobi families. He goes to a real estate office and takes the keys to the Jacobi house, which is in the process of being sold and has been cleaned and redecorated since the murders. Behind the house, he discovers a wooded area. Graham explores the area, driving around the trees to a low-income housing project that could better hide the killer's vehicle. He searches for a vantage point where the killer might have observed the children burying the cat. Graham finds an empty soft drink can and, when he climbs a tree, he discovers cut branches and a symbol carved into the bark. He descends the tree and wonders if any of the children in the housing project noticed a stranger in a van.
Dolarhyde reads an article in the Tattler written by Lounds, which mentions that Graham spent time in a mental health hospital after capturing serial killer Garrett Jacob Hobbs. Dolarhyde examines the pictures of Grahamand Lecter and pastes the article into a ledger containing press clippings and pictures, including childhood photographs and news stories about elderly women disappearing in St. Louis and Toledo. Dolarhyde hopes that Lecter, being the only one who might understand his transformation, will correspond with him. He writes a letter to Lecter on toilet paper, signing it as an "Avid Fan" and using dentures identical to his grandmother's teeth to bite down on the tissue as a signature.
Graham speaks with Byron Metcalf, the Jacobi family's attorney.
Metcalf explains that many of the family's possessions were destroyed in a fire and mentions Mr. Jacobi's estranged oldest son, Niles. Graham seeks out Niles and finds him in a dive bar with a rough-looking man named Randy. Graham correctly guesses that Randy is a knife fighter and manages to talk to Niles alone. Niles doesn't have much to say about his father or his father's second family. Graham spends three days searching through the Jacobi family's possessions, wanting to know more about them. The police examine the mark left by the killer on the tree behind the house, which is a Chinese character representing good luck and is also the name of a Mah-Jong tile called "the Red Dragon."
Chilton calls Crawford to inform him that a note has been found in Lecter's cell. He reads the note to Crawford, in which Dolarhyde complains about demeaning nicknames like the Tooth Fairy and hopes that Lecter will understand his transformative process. The details of how to correspond with Lecter have been torn out of the note by Lecter. Crawford tells Chilton to keep Lecter out of his cell by faking a problem with the water supply. The note is flown to FBI headquarters, where tests are run. A hair is found, but no fingerprints. Lloyd Bowman theorizes that Dolarhyde wants Lecter to respond to him in The National Tattler. Crawford arranges to see the proof of the next edition's classifieds pages.
Graham meets with Crawford at the FBI headquarters, and they discuss the note found in Lecter's cell. They consider using the Tattler to lure the killer into revealing himself. Graham believes that the Tooth Fairy would want to kill Lecter as part of his transformation. The Scientific Analysis Section Chief discusses the findings from the note, which are inconclusive. They discuss setting up a mail drop to potentially entice the killer toa meeting. Crawford informs Graham that Lecter has placed an ad in the Tattler, which has been intercepted. The code in the message begins with "Dear Pilgrim." They try to crack the code, involving the Central Intelligence Agency's cryptography section. As they cannot decipher the book code, they decide to let the ad run, even if it
encourages the killer to take action beyond writing.
Lloyd Bowman calls Crawford to inform him that Lecter's code has been cracked. Crawford is horrified to discover that the code contains Graham's address and instructions for the Tooth Fairy to "kill them all." Crawford has already arranged for Molly and Willy to be brought to a safe place. Graham meets his wife and stepson at the airport, apologizing for putting them in this situation. Molly reveals that Willy knows about the circumstances from reading the Tattler. Graham curses Lounds. Later, someone tries to call Graham through Crawford's office, referring to themselves as "the Pilgrim." Graham ensures the safety of Molly and Willy at Crawford's relative's house. Willy asks Graham about the case, and Graham tells him about Garrett Hobbs and his time in a mental health facility. Graham explains how Hobbs murdered young women, held a girl hostage, and how he eventually saved her by shooting Hobbs. He leaves out the graphic details of the violence. The next day, Graham takes Molly to a shooting range and teaches her how to shoot various guns, including a customized .44 special loaded with devastating ammunition. When the rangemaster compliments Molly's shooting, Graham's expression reflects loss and sadness.
The FBI anticipates another call from the Pilgrim and plans to trace the call. Bowman demonstrates that the coded messages in Lecter's notes come from the cookbook Joy of Cooking. When the Pilgrim calls again, Graham answers and tries to engage him in conversation. However, the Pilgrim is reluctant to reveal his identity. Graham manages to keep the Pilgrim on the line long enough for the call to be traced. It turns out that the caller is Freddy Lounds, who had deduced Lecter's attempt to contact the Tooth Fairy and wanted more information for the Tattler. Lounds is arrested but pleads for Crawford to cut him in on the story. Thanks to his connections, Lounds is released and plans to enjoy his newfound wealth with his business partner and lover, Wendy.
Bloom discusses the Lounds incidentwith Crawford and expresses concerns about Graham's well-being. Bloom describes Graham's ability for pure empathy, but worries that Graham may resent being observed by a psychologist. Crawford seeks Bloom's advice on how to use the Tattler in their plans. Bloom fears that Crawford's actions may put Graham in danger and drive the Tooth Fairy to break cover. Crawford then speaks to Graham and asks him to investigate potential murder scenes while the police restrain from entering, giving Graham a fresh perspective. Graham recognizes Crawford's manipulation and is annoyed that Crawford made a deal with Lounds. Crawford warns Graham that Lounds will interview him.
Graham conducts an interview with Lounds, remaining polite and cordial. Bloom has deduced that the Tooth Fairy's actions stem from feelings of inadequacy and a fear of homosexuality. Graham's responses are guided by this profile, providing insulting suggestions about the Tooth Fairy's appearance and intelligence. In staged photographs, Graham's hotel room is clearly identifiable, hoping to enrage the Tooth Fairy and provoke an attack. They also include a coded message in the Tattler to lure the Tooth Fairy to a mail drop. The FBI carefully observes both locations, and Spurgen prepares Graham for a potential attack. Graham spends his last night with Molly and Willy, sensing that Molly suspects he is keeping something from her.
Dolarhyde visits Lambert St. Louis International Airport and purchases a copy of the Tattler. Despite mixed feelings about Lecter's last communication, he is interested in finding another message. He returns home and clips articles from the Tattler for his journal, coming across his grandmother's old oak wheelchair.
Lounds is in intense pain as Dolarhyde drives him to the Tattler headquarters in his van. In an attempt to remember details, Lounds focuses on the van's license plate. Dolarhyde taunts Lounds, referring to him as Graham's pet, and then sets him on fire. Lounds is rolled toward the lobby of the Tattler building, and the security guard activates the fire alarm.
Though severely burned, Lounds is still alive and requests Graham's presence at the hospital. Graham and Crawford travel to the burns center in Chicago. The doctor informs them that Lounds's injuries are fatal but that he may live long enough to answer questions. Graham approaches Lounds's bed, where he learns that Lounds briefly regained consciousness and shared the license plate number of the van while accusing Graham of setting him up. Wendy, who is present in the hallway, is invited by Graham to see Lounds. As she comforts Lounds, he briefly stirs and then passes away.
Under heavy guard, Chilton seizes Lecter's books as a punishment for his contact with Dolarhyde. Lecter, having accidentally read a rejection slip intended for Chilton, taunts him, resulting in Chilton confiscating Lecter's toilet seat. At the FBI laboratory, Zeller examines the evidence from Lounds's kidnapping. The team identifies the type of gasoline used to burn Lounds and speculates that the wheelchair was stored in a cool and dark place. Zeller sends the results, evidence, and a package for Graham to Chicago via courier.
The narrative shifts back to June 14, 1938, when Marian Dolarhyde Trevane is pregnant in Springfield, Missouri. She gives birth to Francis, who has bilateral fissures in his upper lip and palate. A nurse creates a special instrument to help him feed, but when Marian sees the baby, she screams and abandons him at thehospital. Francis undergoes cosmetic
surgery, but the results are unsatisfactory. He faces mockery at the orphanage. Meanwhile, Marian annuls her marriage and starts a new successful life. Her ex-husband reveals the circumstances of Francis's birth to Marian's estranged mother. Marian's mother informs Grandmother Dolarhyde, who then adopts Francis. Grandmother Dolarhyde teaches Francis to speak through abusive methods, focusing on the word "mother." Marian marries Howard Vogt, a wealthy lawyer, and Grandmother Dolarhyde forces Francis to accompany her to Marian's new home and her husband's political rallies, publicly revealing his background. Vogt ultimately loses his election.
Grandmother Dolarhyde operates a nursing home and receives money from the county to care for elderly and indigent individuals. Marian refuses to assist her. Francis, known as a child, plays with Mah-Jong tiles and forms a bond with the cook, Queen Mother Bailey. He wets his bed and rushes to his grandmother's room, where she deems him disgusting and places sewing scissors on his penis as a threat. In the present, the 42-year-old Francis Dolarhyde wakes up at night, puts his grandmother's dentures in his mouth, and goes to the bathroom as she taught him.
In the winter of 1947, Francis notices changes in his grandmother's behavior. She becomes more interested in hosting her residents, experiences a decline in general health, and loses weight. During dinner, she openly discusses personal matters such as her need for dentures at a young age. Occasionally, Francis enjoys short rides on Queen Mother Bailey's husband's wagon, which are the highlights of his day. He occasionally plays with a red-haired girl from the neighborhood and engages in a game where they show each other their private parts. Queen Mother Bailey interrupts the game, chasing a headless rooster. Francis believes that Queen Mother Bailey told his grandmother what happened, leading to his fear and belief that she and her husband mock him. In an attempt to protect his grandmother, he kills a chicken with a hatchet, finding solace in the act. He continues to kill more chickens. Grandmother's health deteriorates rapidly, and she insults Queen Mother
Bailey before she quits. She contacts Francis's mother, which leads to a visit from a sheriff. Marian summons a doctor, who takes his grandmother away in a wheelchair. Marian cleans the house, speaks briefly to Francis, and calls the authorities to take the residents away. Francis accompanies his mother as they leave, and his grandmotheris sent to a private nerve sanatorium. Francis meets his stepsiblings, who bully him for his speech and background. Blaming him for their father's financial loss, they smash his face into a mirror, leaving him bloodied.
Dolarhyde seeks infrared film for his plan to murder the Sherman family. In the lab, he encounters a visually impaired woman named Reba McClane, with whom he appreciates being able to converse in the dark. When the lights come on, he notices her attractive face. He mentions using the infrared film to photograph nocturnal animals at the zoo. After Dolarhyde leaves, Reba ponders the strange encounter, noting that he didn't seem to pity her blindness.
The Tattler covers the expenses for Freddy Lounds's funeral. Graham observes the crowd and the presence of media, feeling lonely. Wendy informs him that she agreed to a paid interview with the Tattler but refused to let them blame Lounds's death on him.
Dolarhyde engages in a conversation about infrared film with Reba. When Reba needs a ride home, Dolarhyde offers, but she refuses and stands in the rain. Dolarhyde watches her from his van and asks her to ride with him "for his pleasure." Reba appreciates his different approach and accepts the offer. At her house, she invites him in for a drink, which excites him. They engage in small talk and discuss Dolarhyde's film project at the zoo. When Reba mentions speech therapy, Dolarhyde falls silent. However, she praises his speech and asks totouch his face, surprising him. Though he contemplates violence, he allows her to feel
his face. Suddenly, he feels an urge to leave, and as he does, Reba notices traces of him left behind. She appreciates that he showed no sympathy, as her experiences as a blind woman have made her wary of men.
As the next full moon approaches, the police intensify their efforts to catch the serial killer. Crawford speaks with Graham about the profile they have built and the potential locations of the killer. Graham receives a package from Zeller, cleared by the FBI's explosive section. Inside are records from the Jacobi estate, providing insights into the connections between the Jacobi and Leeds families. Crawford becomes concerned about Graham's desperation as they part ways.
Following his encounter with Reba, Dolarhyde feels restless and fantasizes about harming Graham. He watches a news report about a tiger undergoing a dental procedure at the zoo where he had offered the infrared film. The tiger captivates him. Feeling betrayed by Lecter, he wishes he could share his "Becoming" with Reba in a way that she could survive.
With ten days until the next full moon, Crawford urges Graham to write up a profile of the suspect to provide to local law enforcement. Both of them understand that the profile is mainly for political theater.
Graham receives a tape recording made by Dolarhyde, in which Lounds reads from a script, emphasizing the strength of the Great Red Dragon. The killer demands that his name and pronouns be capitalized in press articles and threatens Graham. Graham hears Dolarhyde attacking Lounds on the tape. Meanwhile, a clerk delivers a letter from
Lecter, congratulating Graham on his actions regarding Lounds and suggesting that Graham worries too much. Lecter implies that killing Hobbs felt good for Graham and mentions other tragic events to diminish the significance of Hobbs's murder. Graham tries to call Molly but receives no answer. He buys her a gold bracelet and mails it to Oregon. His thoughts turn to the Jacobi family and their missing silver items and movie projector. He contacts the local police to potentially recover any home movies and wonders about possible victims.
Dolarhyde changes his plans upon spotting flashing blue lights. He realizes he will kill Reba in six days if he doesn't take action, as she is guilty of liking him. He knows the Dragon won't accept the Shermans as a substitute. He checks into a motel, calls in sick to work, and contemplates suicide. However, he fears that Reba will discover the Dragon if he dies in a motel bathroom. He places a call to Brooklyn, drives back to his grandmother's house, and searches through a locked trunk in the basement while the Dragon abuses him. He receives a call from Reba, lies about having the flu, and rushes to the trunk. Inside, he has stashed dynamite, cash, weapons, and driver's licenses. He drives his van fast downthe highway towards the airport.
Dolarhyde flies to New York and visits the Brooklyn Museum. He studies the checkrooms and floor layout, knowing that The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun is in the museum's storage department. The watercolor painting is considered too delicate for public display. Dolarhyde has arranged for a private viewing of the painting and leaves the museum at closing time. He visits a store before proceeding.
Graham returns to Chicago from Detroit, where his trip turned out to be a waste of time. He misses a phone call and calls Molly's in-laws, hoping it was her. Brian Metcalf from Alabama is on the line with good
and bad news: Niles Jacobi stole the film equipment, but there may be a chance to recover the home movies. Molly calls afterward, and during their conversation, Willy reveals that his grandfather bought him a pony, something Molly didn't mention.
Dolarhyde poses as a researcher and visits the Brooklyn Museum to see the Blake painting. He carries a gun, a knife, and chloroform. Outside, he calls Reba from a public phone, expressing his desire to talk and see her. Inside the museum, Dolarhyde signs in under a false name and is led to the viewing room by Paula Harper. He feels scared when he sees a portrait of George Washington that resembles his grandmother. Overcoming his fear, he follows Paula to a worktable where the painting is laid out. Dolarhyde knocks Paula unconscious and places a chloroform rag on her face. Another museum employee witnesses this and locks herself in a room, calling for help. Dolarhyde leaves the museum with his gun and quickly changes clothes, abandoning his weapons. He pretends to be a jogger while observing the police cars rushing past.
Graham shows Crawford the Jacobi family movies and notices details that explain the killer's level of preparation. Upon reviewing the Leeds home movie, Graham realizes that all the information the Dragon needed was contained in these two films. He also notices that both families had their films developed at the same laboratory.
While flying to the Gateway laboratory, Graham and Crawford receive a report about Dolarhyde's attack at the museum. Crawford dismisses it as meaningless, noting that the victims have recovered enough to provide a description. Graham points out that the Dragon didn't kill anyone. Crawford mentions Bloom's suggestion that the Dragon might betrying to stop.
Dolarhyde flies to St. Louis and believes he now has the power to choose whether to keep Reba alive because he has overcome the Dragon. However, upon arriving at the laboratory to speak with Reba, he notices the strange behavior of the employees. Suspicious, he returns to his van and retrieves his gun. As he drives away, he worries about how Graham might have been tipped off, fearing the monster Graham might be. The Dragon appears, offering to save Dolarhyde in exchange for Reba's life and instructing him to pull into a service station for a conversation.
At the lab, Graham and Crawford go through employee files at Gateway. Graham feels a sense of urgency, knowing that they need to work quickly before the Dragon can escape.
Reba has dinner with Ralph Mandy, her previous romantic interest, and formally ends their relationship. Dolarhyde watches them and, hurt by seeing Mandy kiss Reba, he stabs him outside. He then enters Reba's home, knocks her out with chloroform, and brings her to his grandmother's bedroom in his van. Reba wakes up and realizes that Dolarhyde is "crazy." She smells gasoline in the room. Dolarhyde confesses that she has hurt him and allows her to speak while loosening her restraints. Reba tries to explain the situation calmly, but Dolarhyde interrupts her to describe the events he has initiated. When she mentions the Tooth Fairy as the possible killer, he corrects her and reveals the name "Red Dragon." Terrified, Reba hears him speak with the Dragon's loud voice. He encourages her to touch his face, gives her the house key, and challenges her to earn his trust by locking the door and returning to him. Reba considers whether to play along or try to escape. She steps out, locks the door, and starts running, screaming for help. However, she soon hears footsteps behind her, and Dolarhyde catches up to her.
During the search at Gateway, the police receive reports of Ralph Mandy's murder, leading them to connect Mandy, Reba, and Dolarhyde. Graham enters Dolarhyde's office and finds clues that confirm Dolarhyde as the Dragon.
Reba regains consciousness and talks to Dolarhyde. He instructs her to enter the house and hang the key chain around his neck. He expresses conflicting emotions, mentioning that it's all over and that the Dragon wants him to hurt her, but he wants to stop the Dragon.He starts crying and implies that there's only one way to stop the Dragon. The shotgun fires, but Reba realizes she hasn't been hurt. She smells smoke and hears the crackling of flames as the house catches fire. Reba searches for Dolarhyde and a way to escape, finding a mangled body with a key around the neck. She believes Dolarhyde shot himself in the head, takes the key, and tries to escape the burning house.
Crawford and Graham search for Dolarhyde's house, finding it after locating the address. They rush to the scene and see the glow of the fire in the distance. They find Reba outside and learn from her what she believes happened to Dolarhyde. Crawford comforts Reba while they wait for the police to arrive.
The local police and fire department search through the remains of the burned Dolarhyde house. The investigator suspects that a stash of dynamite caused the destruction, and the intense fire may have burned the body beyond recognition. Graham visits Reba in the hospital and reassures her, saying that her affection for Dolarhyde may have prompted doubt in him and saved lives. After leaving Reba, Graham talks to Molly on the phone and tries to persuade her to join him at home, but
their conversation doesn't end well. Crawford informs Graham of a new development in the investigation.
The investigator Aynesworth examines the evidence, showcasing the guns and human remains found among the ash. The human remains include teeth that match the bite marks on the victims. Graham feels relieved and makes plans to go home.
After thanking his colleagues at the FBI, Graham returns home and finds Molly and Willy waiting for him at the airport. Molly expresses her desire to reunite and reconcile. Graham notices a change in Willy's behavior, becoming more polite and protective of his mother. Graham is pleased to be back home.
Graham detects a strangeness in his relationship with Molly, feeling that things are not the same between them. They seem overly eager to please each other, and Molly frequently talks about Oregon and their time there. Graham suspects that their marriage has reached its end but is hesitant to admit it. He plans to have a conversation with both Molly and Willy. While spending an unsatisfying afternoon fishing, Molly receives a phone call from Crawford about an urgent matter. Graham returns to the house, and Dolarhydebursts out and shoots at him. Graham manages to avoid being shot and wrestles with Dolarhyde, who stabs him in the cheek with a knife. Molly hits Dolarhyde with a fishing rod, giving Graham a chance to fight back. Molly retrieves a gun and shoots Dolarhyde multiple times as he collapses. She tends to Graham's wounds while waiting for the police.
Graham wakes up in the hospital, unable to speak due to the wound
on his face. He sees Molly visiting him and Crawford informs him about a letter from Lecter. Molly refuses to take the letter, so Crawford takes it to the lab to ensure its safety and destroys it. Graham communicates with Crawford using a notepad. Crawford assures Graham that Dolarhyde is dead. Outside the room, Crawford tells Molly about the letter. Graham asks Crawford how Dolarhyde escaped and learns about Dolarhyde's actions after their encounter at Gateway. Molly visits Graham again, and he writes a note to express his love for her. She nods and holds his hand, admitting that Willy has returned to Oregon. Crawford finds them and informs Graham of a diary that Dolarhyde hid in a locker in Miami.