the cross number used depends on, mainly, the difference between ERD and the diameter of the spoke holes on the flange.
The spokes can only exit the flange from 0 to 90 deg and any more does not result in a stronger wheel.
Methinks your statement might be in error.. albeit in a minor way. That one feller that wrote that wheel book stuffed with all the computer data.. did opine if I remember correctly.. some where more rigid/stronger [laterally ?] with more crosses. But I could be miss-remembering. Albeit those advantages were very minor... and admittedly 'stronger' means different things to different types.
>Spokes touching heads on the cross. Have 2 older Schwinn 27" fronts here that apparently came 4x.. same hub.. same spokes.. showing no signs of rebuilding. Yet in both wheels the cross spoke does bend around the inbound spoke head.. albeit very slightly. Prevents the spoke head from raising if the spoke de-tensions.
http://i42.tinypic.com/118oz15.jpg