Chapter 64: The Watcher's Secret

"We'll leave, but there's one last thing we need to ask," Kate said, addressing Jira. Despite his silence and visible anger, she pressed on. 

"Sir, who are The Watchers, and what is your connection with them?" she inquired, meeting Jira's gaze squarely.

But to Kate's surprise, there was no hint of distress or shock on Jira's face, as she had anticipated. His expression remained stoic, revealing a man of great composure and control over his emotions.

"Who are The Watchers?" Jira asked calmly.

"So, you're saying you know nothing about The Watchers?" Kate pressed.

"Yes," Jira replied simply.

"According to my sources, you have a long-standing connection with a cult known as The Watchers," Kate asserted.

"I'm not familiar with any cult you're referring to," Jira replied with an expressionless face.

"Mr. Jira, don't play the naive card with me. I know you're the leader of The Watchers, and as their leader, you must be well aware of their activities and purpose," Kate insisted.

"I've already told you, I do not know any such cult or organization," Jira replied firmly.

"Okay, so you claim to know nothing about The Watchers, nor do you understand why they're so fixated on finding the original copy of the Rubaiyat and why they're worried the killer might possess it. Well, get ready, because I'm going to expose every member of your cult and your associates in my next program,"

Kate declared, her tone dripping with revenge.

"She did this purposely to put pressure on Jira so that he might reveal something about The Watchers or the killer," Kate thought to herself.

"You are free to do anything you want," Jira responded calmly.

"Sir, we came here with the pure intention of seeking help from you. We're not on some revenge mission. Here's my card. If you have any information that could assist us in solving this case, please feel free to call me anytime," Kate said, offering her card to Jira.

Jason spoke, his gaze filled with anger as he glanced towards Kate. He didn't want to make an enemy of the leader of such a significant tribe, knowing it would only complicate matters.

Jira accepted the card, his expression serious as he looked towards Kate.

"You people can leave now," Jira stated, walking towards his house.

Kate and Jason followed suit, making their way to the main gate of the house. Once they reached their car, Jason turned towards Kate, his expression tense.

"What the hell was that?" he demanded. "How could you threaten Jira? Don't you realize he's the leader of one of the largest native tribes in Australia? Your threat could incite these people against the Adelaide police and land us in hot water," Jason admonished.

"Don't worry... he won't retaliate against us. I used the threat to rattle him, to make him aware that we have information about him that he'd rather keep quiet," Kate explained, sliding into the car.

"What do you mean by this?" Jason asked, seeking clarification.

"The Watchers isn't a registered cult, meaning Jira and his associates are running it with a hidden agenda. They don't want their agenda or the identities of its members to become public knowledge. So, I threatened to expose them, making Jira consider our request for help," Kate explained plainly.

"This Jira guy is tough as nails, and he wasn't going to help us anyway. So, I did it to make him see that we can expose their biggest secret," Kate concluded.

"At the very least, you could have consulted me before threatening him," Jason said, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"Why are you so afraid of this old man?" Kate questioned.

"I'm not afraid. I just don't want to stir up any conflict between the police and the Yarrabura tribe," Jason explained.

"Okay, I understand," Kate acknowledged. Then she added,

"Now, what's our next move?" Kate inquired.

"There must be some way to reach the killer that we're overlooking. Let's figure it out," Jason replied, starting the car.