[MD1, 3:49PM, Santa Fe Airport]
Returning from the phone, where she had paid long distance charges to talk to an answering machine, Zenya arrived in the middle of a conversation, the topic of which had been on all of their minds. This was a case rich in symbolism, that much was obvious, but the meaning of the symbols would have to be unraveled. The problem with that approach, she was thinking, was the simple fact that the human mind can be skewed and distorted in innumerable ways, and even a direct explanation from the source is sometimes not enough to comprehend the personal meaning behind the symbols. On the other hand, though, Leo�s idea sparked a thought.
>"I'm wondering if the victims all had abortions sometime >prior to their deaths.", Leo thought about the case files. >"Trouble is, I don't remember any notations in the autopsies >about the victims having any signs of being pregnant or >having abortions."
>"well, due to the horrible nature of the crime, the medical >examiner might have overlooked that." Zenya added, rejoining >the group.
>"Sort of, a life for a life by some pro-life supporter?", Jim >wondered.
>"perhaps, but why the skull on Kali's head? Why remove the >hearts?", Vanessa asked.
>"I don't know.", Leo shook his head in confusion.
"There is a possible explanation to that," Zenya said. "I don�t know which pro-life organization it is, but one of them uses the slogan, �Abortion stops a beating heart.�"
Vanessa nodded. "Now that you mention it, I�ve seen that on bumper stickers."
"But how do you go from that to the removal of the hearts," Jim asked.
"Good question," Zenya said, wondering for a moment what hidden logic had brought the thought to her mind. All of them puzzled over the question for a few moments.
"�Abortion stops a beating heart,�" Vanessa repeated thoughtfully.
"Following that logic, couldn�t it be said that abortion is, in essence, removing a heart from the body of the mother," Zenya wondered.
"So the killer removes the woman�s heart to avenge the child," Leo said.
"Of course, all this speculation does us no good until we find out if the victim ever had an abortion," Vanessa pointed out.
>"Well, at least we have one question to ask the M.E. in this latest >victim.", Jim said. "It's another possible angle to this case."
>A few moments later, the team was approached by a middle-aged >slightly balding man in police uniform.
>"You must be the FBI people. I'm Sheriff Trevor Jackson, Santa Fe >PD. I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier to meet you at the gate, but it's >been quite hectic with this murder case.", the officer told them. "Is >this all of you?"
>As the team looked at each other with the same puzzled look, they all
>had the same question on their mind. Who was Jordan talking to at >the gate?
>Jordan approached the group and introduced himself to the sheriff. >Then he turned to his team, "Suggestions for where to start?"
"Well, if we�re going to make it to the funeral on time, we�d better get moving," Zenya said.
Jordan checked his watch and nodded. "Hope its not being held too far from here."
"Shouldn�t be a problem," the sheriff said. "Only a couple miles. I can show you where it is, if need be."
"Do we have cars lined up," Leo asked. The group was already headed toward the rental counter, following Jordan�s lead.
"We just have to sign for them."
"We should talk to the medical examiner, too," Vanessa said
Sheriff Jackson nodded. "I told him to be expecting you. I�ve got copies of all the reports related to the case for you, too, if you want them."
The team waited while the rental papers were signed, then headed out to the parking lot toward a pair of Tauruses. After some further discussion about where they were going and where to meet up again later, they headed off to their respective destinations.
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