Chapter 6
The next morning, not able to focus on the computer work, Wildcat finds himself thinking about what Jade had told him concerning Marks the night before. Deciding he wanted to speak with the detective himself, he tells his teammates he'll return and takes a trip down to the local police station.
"I'd like to speak with Detective Marks," says Wildcat to the receptionist.
Nodding her head with a smile, the woman picks up the phone and contacts Marks. Speaking a few quick words to the detective on the phone, she returns the receiver.
"Detective Marks will be out shortly."
"Thanks," says Wildcat, glancing around the lobby and waiting.
Only a few minutes pass, before the dark haired detective enters the lobby.
"Wildcat, right?" asks Marks.
"Yeah," replies the hero. "I've got a question for you, concerning the information you shared with Jade a couple days ago, about the murder in France."
"Come on back. My desk doesn't offer much privacy, but I can grab an empty conference room," replies Marks, opening the door, after the receptionist buzzes him in.
Following Marks through the door, Wildcat glances around a little bit, before following the detective into a quiet room. Shutting the door after the hero, Marks motions toward a chair and takes a seat.
"How can I help you?" asks Marks.
"How about you tell me how you knew about the murder in France?" demands Wildcat, not taking the offered seat.
"As I told Jade, I spoke with a friend..."
"Yeah, yeah. Leclerc. Jade spoke with him too and he said you called him about the murder." interrupts Wildcat. "You knew the woman was dead before you spoke with your friend."
"Ah," replies Marks with a smile. "I had called the station house to speak with Edmond, but he was out on scene. I asked a few more questions and found out about the murder. I called back later and spoke with Edmond about it, since it had sounded like the murder that took place here."
"Why'd you call Leclerc in the first place?" demands Wildcat.
"I have vacation time coming up and planned on going to France to visit him," replies Marks, the smile a little strained at this point.
"Nice trip on cop pay," replies Wildcat, not happy with the detective's answers.
"It's taken me a while to save for it," replies Marks. "Now, if you are done grilling me, I would like to get back to work on the case."
Standing up from the chair, the detective opens the door and walks out of the room leaving Wildcat to follow.
…...
"I'm interested in speaking with Dr. Emilo Cortez," says Jade on the cell phone as she talks with yet another person at the University of Texas. "Yes, I know he's on sabbatical, but it's really important that I speak with him" Pause. "I've left a message for him already." Pause. "Yes, I have left a number I can be reached at." Pause. "I need to speak with him about a time sensitive matter." Pause. "It's really urgent that I speak with him." Pause. "OK. Thank you for your time."
Taking the phone from her ear, Jade sighs as she presses the end button and sets the phone on the table.
"Having trouble getting a hold of him?"
Glancing up, Jade watches as Wildcat enters the room.
"I'd swear the man doesn't exist," says Jade. "I've left messages and my cell phone number. The last person I spoke with assured me that she would pass on my messages and the urgency of them."
Sitting down next to Jade in a chair, Wildcat nods his head.
"Umm, I went and saw Marks this morning."
"I thought you said not to go alone," replies Jade, raising an eyebrow.
"I told you not to go alone," replies Wildcat. "Me? I'm a big boy."
"Uh huh," replies Jade, with a smile and a shake of her head. "Well?"
"Apparently, Marks has some time off coming up, which I confirmed with his superior, and planned on visiting his friend in France. He called while Leclerc was out on scene and called back later," explains Wildcat.
"I don't know, Ted. It still seems fishy," replies Jade, with a frown. "I mean, if it had to do with friends, why call at work?"
"Maybe Leclerc doesn't have a home phone?" suggests Wildcat.
"As a police officer?" asks Jade, shaking her head. "He's got to have a home phone."
"Don't know what to say, Jenny," replies Wildcat. "The man checks out."
Nodding her head, Jade is deep in thought when her cell phone beeps, making her jump. Flipping the phone open, she answers the phone.
"Jade."
"Ms. Jade?" returns a rich, deep voice with a slight accent.
"Can I help you?" asks Jade, confused and not recognizing the voice.
"My name is Dr. Emilo Cortez. The University contacted me and said it was very important."
"Dr. Cortez, thank you for calling back," replies Jade, glancing at Wildcat. "I wanted to speak with you concerning a case I am working on."
"How can I help?"
"In the case I am working on, four women have been brutally murdered," says Jade. "A police officer in Mexico thinks that the Amarkken tribe may be connected."
"Oh? How so?" replies Dr. Cortez.
"These women were all killed in a religious setting..." says Jade.
"Religious setting?" interrupts the doctor.
"Umm, three churches and an abbey," replies Jade. "All of the women were stabbed and sexually assaulted. Also, they all share a similar birthmark."
"Would the birthmark perhaps be in the shape of a star?" questions Dr. Cortez.
"Yes" replies Jade. "How did you know?"
"Well, I assume because you think it is connected to the Amarkken tribe, it would most likely be the more known legend of the god power. Six starred women all killed by one man who would then inherit the power of the god's," explains the doctor.
"Why stars?" asks Jade.
"Women who were born with the mark of the star were believed to have been touched by the gods, since stars are from the sky and the gods reside in the sky. Killing them took the power from the woman and placed it into one man."
"Why are they being raped?" asks Jade.
"Transference of power," replies Cortez. "The man had to have a piece of his body inside the woman at death."
"I see," replies Jade. "How does he select his victims?"
"If the killer is using the legend, then the victim had to be old enough to bear children," replies Dr. Cortez. "No power can be gained in killing a child. Also, priestesses were forbidden, so any woman who is a religious leader should also be safe. Lastly and most obvious, the size of the birthmark. The larger the mark, the more power to be gained."
"One last question, Doctor," says Jade. "Why religious settings?"
"Why does anyone go to a religious setting? To be closer to their god," replies Dr. Cortez.
"Thank you, Doctor," says Jade. "You've given me a lot of information. If I need to contact you again, may I reach you at this number?"
"Of course," replies the doctor. "I wish you luck in stopping the killer."
"Thank you," replies Jade. "Good-bye."
Pulling the phone away from her ear, Jade closes the phone.
"Well?" demands Wildcat, who sat quietly throughout the conversation.
"He gave me some good information. Hopefully it will help us catch the killer," says Jade, standing up. "We need to get the others."
Leaving the room behind, Jade goes in search of the rest of the team to share the information she got.
