Constantly, Lecter plays mind games, and it isn't easy to know when he is telling the truth. Starling does not take anything he says at face value; she is wise not to. However, everything he says in this section is likely true. Crawford didn't really send Starling to Lecter for the questionnaire. Crawford knows Lecter and is well aware that he would never fill out such a survey. Assuming Lecter is correct, then Crawford is in a difficult position. Crawford does not want to do anything to help Lecter, but at the same time, Lecter is the only person who can help him.