Chapter 9: The Murmurs of the Unseen

Kate walked along the long passage of Flinders University, shielding herself from the noon sun with a cap on her head. In one hand, she held a notebook and pen, while her phone pressed against her ear in the other.

"I spoke with Jason, and as I anticipated, his anger toward me prevented him from acknowledging that I'm a competent investigator and that he needs to collaborate with me," Kate said, her gaze fixed ahead.

"Try harder... You'll need him to gather every piece of information," Rodrick advised in a plain tone. He continued, "Superintendent Bob instructed Jason and his team to remain vigilant regarding the media and ensure that we don't catch wind of any details about the case."

“I’m aware of that. I'm working on obtaining information about the identity of the deceased, but Jason and his team have become increasingly cautious," Kate replied.

"They're deliberately withholding information from us," Rodrick observed, then added, "That's why I'm urging you to collaborate with Jason and have another conversation with him."

"Merely talking won't persuade him... I may need to take some drastic measures," Kate replied.

"What measures?" Rodrick inquired.

"I'll let you know later," Kate said, glancing at the signboard indicating the Department of Languages to her left.

"You're aware that Henry is becoming increasingly desperate to solve this murder mystery," Rodrick remarked.

"And why is he growing so desperate? You know these cases take time to solve," Kate said, frustration evident in her tone.

"The investigator from Zero Time News Network is working on this case, and they're claiming to have found a breakthrough. Their claim is making Henry worried," Rodrick explained.

"They're just bluffing," Kate dismissed. "They've found nothing of the sort."

"I hope you're right," Rodrick replied.

"Okay, Rodrick, I'm ending the call now. I have to meet someone who's an expert in foreign languages. I hope he can help me translate the meaning of the text found on the cryptic note from the coat of the dead body," Kate said.

"Hmm," Rodrick acknowledged.

"Have you remembered where you first saw those symbols? And have you figured out the connection between the symbols drawn on the paper and those around the belly button?" Rodrick asked, recalling the symbols and inquiring about their significance.

"No, I'm still working on them... I'll give you a detailed report tomorrow," Kate assured before disconnecting the call.

Entering the building of the languages department, Kate glanced around the empty, white-marbled corridor. It seemed all the students were in classrooms attending lectures. She had come here to meet her old friend, Aussie, who taught English Literature at Flinders University. However, Kate knew Aussie had a passion for learning and exploring foreign languages. She hoped he might assist her in translating the cryptic note.

Yesterday evening, she had called Aussie, and he instructed her to come to the university at 11:00 A.M, assuring her he would meet her then. Now, it was 10:50 A.M., and she had to wait for ten minutes until Aussie finished his lecture and could meet her. As the minutes passed, the doors of several classrooms began to open, and students started pouring out.

Kate scanned the crowd, searching for Aussie, who was aware she was waiting for him. Finally, amidst the rush of students, she spotted him. Aussie was dressed in grey dress pants paired with a black dress shirt. His shoulder-length hair was tied back, and his medium height, along with his chubby body and cheeks, hinted at his love for food.

Aussie noticed Kate and approached her with a smile.

"Ms. Kate Miller, you managed to find some time to see me after all," he greeted warmly, hugging her.

”Yes, and I'm so happy to see you," Kate replied with a smile.

"Aussie, I need your help," Kate said, her expression turning serious.

"First, let's find somewhere to sit, and then we can talk," Aussie suggested.

"Okay," Kate agreed.

"Let's head to the café. Over a round of coffee, we can discuss what I can do to assist you," Aussie proposed.

"That sounds good," Kate said.

After a few minutes, both of them settled into chairs in the cafeteria, a spacious hall filled with numerous tables and chairs to accommodate a large number of students at once. Aussie ordered two black coffees and sat across from Kate.

"Now, tell me what kind of help you need from me?" he inquired.

"I'm going to show you a photo, but you have to promise not to share any details about it with anyone. It's confidential, and I could get into big trouble if it leaks," Kate cautioned.

"You can trust me," Aussie assured her in a serious tone.

"Take a look here," Kate said, retrieving a printed piece of paper from her shoulder bag and placing it in front of Aussie.

"Do you know what language this is?" Kate whispered.

"Let me see," Aussie replied, pulling the piece of paper toward him and examining it closely.

"I think I know what language this is…,” Aussie said after a moment.

"Tell me," Kate urged impatiently.

"Wait... let me confirm," Aussie responded, pulling out his phone and opening an app. Kate watched silently as he typed a few words into it. After a few moments of silence, Aussie looked up at Kate and began to speak.

"The text in this photo is in Persian. It's the language spoken in Middle Eastern countries like Iran, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan."

"Are you sure?" Kate asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Aussie confirmed. "A long time ago, I heard a few poems in Persian, and the beauty and depth of the language inspired me. I bought a few Persian poetry books and read them, so I can say without any doubt that the text is in Persian."

"Can you find out what the meaning of this text is? Translate it for me," Kate requested.

"Kate, the text in this photo is part of a well-known poetry book," Aussie revealed.

"What poetry book?" Kate asked, amazed. It hadn't crossed her mind that the text on the page in the photo would be from a poetry book. She had assumed the killer had written something in a foreign language to complicate the case.

"This text is part of a poem from the Rubaiyat, a poetry book by Omar Khayyam," Aussie explained. His passion for learning foreign languages had made him knowledgeable and well-informed.

"Who is Omar Khayyam, and what is this Rubaiyat?" Kate asked immediately.

"I'm not quite getting it," Kate admitted in a confused tone. She couldn't grasp why the killer would place a page from a poetry book in the coat of the dead body and what its connection could be to the murder.

"Okay, let me explain in simpler terms," Aussie said, taking a deep breath. “Omar Khayyam—a Persian polymath whose brilliance illuminated the realms of mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy in the 11th and 12th centuries. Yet, hidden within the corridors of his scholarly pursuits lay a lesser-known facet of his genius—the art of poetry. Khayyam, though not widely celebrated as a poet in his lifetime, penned numerous quatrains that delved into the very essence of existence—life, death, and fate. It was only after his passing that fellow Persian scholars and poets recognized the poetic treasure he had bestowed upon the world. Collecting his quatrains into a single volume, they christened it the Rubaiyat—a testament to Khayyam's lyrical prowess.”

Aussie took a sip of coffee and then continued, “For centuries, the Rubaiyat remained shrouded in obscurity, its verses echoing faintly across the annals of time. However, in the 19th century, a transformative moment occurred with the arrival of Edward Fitzgerald, an English scholar who dared to unveil its mysteries to the world. Through his translation and adaptation, initially met with little fanfare in 1859, the Rubaiyat found its way into the hands of influential poets who were entranced by its lyrical and mystical beauty.

After a momentary pause, Aussie said, “So, from the depths of anonymity, the Rubaiyat emerged, captivating hearts and minds with its timeless wisdom and enchanting verse. A journey through the ages, a glimpse into the soul of a bygone era—the Rubaiyat invites readers to embark on an adventure of discovery, where the words of Omar Khayyam continue to resonate with profound significance in the hearts of readers worldwide.”

“Hmmm… interesting, so you're saying this text is part of the Rubaiyat, and the Rubaiyat has been translated into English?" Kate clarified.

"Yes," Aussie confirmed.

Kate pondered over why the killer would hide a page from the Persian version of the Rubaiyat if it had already been translated into English. However, she found herself without answers.

"Where did you get this photo?" Aussie inquired.