Later, at Dr. Rogere's office....

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The office is crowded with NYPD personnel, frantic patients, a hysterical receptionist, and building security.

Comments

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, officer."

Fate waves his hand and the door opens.

"Of course, you may not want to know."

To Detective Chimp he adds, "Touch nothing in her e until I say otherwise."

HE walks toward the cabinet, training his magic senses on it.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The cabinet is large and obviously expensive, apparently made of teak or some other hardwood. The doors were fitted with sturdy hinges, but the doors now lie splintered on the floor, the hinges twisted with the force of their removal.

An altar, large enough to hold the body of a child or a small woman, lies inside. A row of ash before the altar suggests that cones of incense had been burned here.

There are fibers and stains on top of the altar, but it's hard to see in the dimly lit recesses of the cabinet.

[jsaboss.livejournal.com]

"Jesus," says Terrific, coming up behind them. "I have a note from Oracle saying to preserve any altar -- it may be key to defeating Crouteux."

Terrific grimaces.

"Guess that's it. Officers, no one comes back into this room without my or Fate's express permission. Nothing comes in or out. We're going to need warrants to investigate Rogere's home for evidence of multiple homicides. Again, no entry without JSA escort. We'll have a team on the scene soon as the warrant clears."

That's enough for them to know. These are good men -- this should be enough for them to act on.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The detective peers into the office. "Yeah. I'll get the DA to track down a friendly judge. Christ...."

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

Chimp looks at the alter. Without touching it, he sniffs at the blood, trying to confirm if it is human blood or not, and trying to determine what was used for incense.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The freshest blood smells almost, but not quite human. A faint trace of Mar'i's perfume can be detected.

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

"Fate, this is Mar'i's blood." He scowls. "Damn it! I told her to wait for backup..."

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"Nightstar is alive," he says plainly. "I would know if she died. There is another player at work, here."

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

The chimp runs a hand over his simian face.

"She's alive... but for how long?" He begins looking around the office for more clues.