Las Vegas
The police chief was not in a good mood. He and his wife had been trying to have a special night but had been interrupted several times during dinner. It made for a rushed evening that continued until they made it home; he had hoped to be able to linger a bit. At two in the morning he had just felt her run a fingernail down his spine and ask if he was asleep yet. Like magic, his cell rang. Even worse, it was from the morgue. The chief examiner was in for some godforsaken reason, insisting he come down immediately but couldn't say why over the phone. He promised his wife that he would rush as fast as he could.
He pushed the doors open with a crash bellowing, "Larry, this had better be good."
Larry MacDonald, M.E. for Las Vegas stood next to a shroud covered body. "John, this is anything but good." He nodded to an aged attendant to pull the sheet back.
John Lehman, the police chief took a look at the body. "So what? It looks like a vagrant with a slashed throat, hardly breaking news."
"Todd has been here for almost forty years," The M.E. indicated the attendant.
Lehman acknowledged the attendant, "Good work, I could never handle the creepiness but explain why I am here instead of snuggled warm in my bed."
MacDonald handed over a clip board while Todd spoke to the chief, "In my first couple of years here there were some unusual killings. The wounds and cause of death led in a very strange direction. The killer was eventually found and died during apprehension."
"How does this connect?" Lehman read intently, and then started to read a second page. After a moment he began to flip between the first and second.
"That second one is from 1970. Todd noticed the similarities right away. He convinced me to come down to check in person."
Lehman looked at the wounds on the neck again. "There are differences."
"Yes, but internally almost identical."
"You're not trying to tell me…,"
"I'm not telling you anything John, just pointing out that it is similar."
"Why have I never heard of this before?" He indicated the older case.
"It was apparently buried pretty deep. I never heard a peep until tonight myself."
Lehman drummed his fingers for a moment, "A vagrant with no family?" MacDonald nodded, "Bury him in the same hole. No need to make a big deal about it."
MacDonald shook his head and handed Lehman another clipboard. "We missed it before tonight. This one is not the first."
Two Weeks Later, Texas
She just finished the tallying the night's receipts when the phone rang. A quick
look at the caller ID screen showed all zeros. "Piece of junk she mumbled", picking up the receiver, "Hello"
"Bonsoir mademoiselle" an accented male voice spoke, "I trust I am not calling at an inconvenient time."
"No, it's not inconvenient but who are you trying to reach?"
"Mademoiselle, we have neither met nor spoken before, you do not know me, however I know who you are. Most importantly perhaps, I know what you have done."
"I don't know what the hell you are talking about. If this is some kind of joke,
I am not finding it funny."
"This is no joke mademoiselle. Perhaps it would prove the veracity of my knowledge if I asked you the last time you performed in the circus? I could speak of New York and Los Angeles; would you like biographical details?"
The room suddenly felt much colder. "Who are you and what do you want."
"Yes, you will need to call me something won't you." The voice mused, "You may refer to me as Cardinal."
"Like the bird?"
"Yes, it will work. I shall call you Raven, if you do not object."
"Interesting choice, juvenile but interesting."
"I thought you might appreciate the reference. As you deduced, there is something I would like you to do. There was an organization you are a former member of. It has, shall we say, fallen on difficult times of late."
"I have nothing to do with that."
"I know. I can account for your whereabouts at several critical times. The work those dedicated people did is missed by some. The survivors are rather busy these days."
"And you want me to return to being a member? I did not leave under the best of circumstances."
"No, I have no desire to see the past repeat itself. I would like you to recruit and guide a new generation."
"Excuse me, I don't think I heard that correctly."
"You heard correct. There was some controversy about your selection but I was able to convince my fellows that you are both capable and trustworthy. I do not expect you to create an equal organization, just plant a seed or two and give some direction. Everything will grow from there. Will you do this?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"There are always choices." Cardinal answered. "You believe that there is an implied threat however, I can tell you that if you refuse, there will be no repercussions. It will be as if this call never happened"
"Can I believe that?" she asked.
"You only have my word. Whether you accept or refuse, the record on you will be sealed and you can live as you see fit."
"And if I accept?"
"You can go out to your car and you will find a key to a bus locker on the front driver's side tire. In the locker is the money and materials you will need to begin. Also there will be an email address to contact me."
"You are pretty confident."
"I have faith in human nature" He answered with a slight chuckle. "If I may suggest, a good start would be in the modern Gomorrah."
With a click, line went dead.
