Hannibal would crush him in a chess game, Autor knows, but he almost leaps at the opportunity. Almost. He's a bit worried about William, and he recognizes that the other boy is trying to protect him.

"I think we might have to decline your offer," Autor says, trying to harden his voice to keep any reluctance out of it. He has no problem keeping a glare. "We're quite all right by ourselves, Dr. Lecter, thank you."

Then he turns to William. "Sounds neat. What's the title?"