The Game
by Humbuggie
based on an idea by Roxcatje
san@net4all.be

Part IV : The Prey and its hunter 

September 13
Washington DC

Robert David Pinkett still shivered with the thought of how close he'd
come to blowing it all.  How the hell had they ever found him so quickly
?  Fox Mulder. 

He thought of the man as he opened the large doors with all his might,
and then the side of the car hitting him, knocking him backwards.  He
hoped he hadn't hurt Mulder too much.  After all, The Game had just
begun. 

It had taken him all his knowledge of Richmond and beyond to get rid of
the cops in pursuit.  He had taken risks, driving in the center of the
town like a dangerous maniac, trying to lure them in a trap.  He'd taken
small alleys behind hotels and restaurants, almost running over a cat or
two.  Then he'd suddenly come to a stop, and simply left the car behind
a dumpster to continue his run on foot.  The gun he took with him.  He'd
heard police vehicles everywhere, and the sound of sirens seemed to
block out the quietness of the night.

He'd taken shortcuts throughout the city, hiding in porntheatres and
other sleazy bars.  He bought a ticket for a movie starring some Swedish
bimbo and watched her do several guys at the same time.  When the movie
was finished he bought another ticket.  He didn't get aroused by what he
saw on the silver screen.  He was too hyped up.  He had taken too many
risks.  He couldn't drive back to Washington today.  He'd have to wait
until the morning and then pinch a car somewhere in this neighborhood. 
He'd have to stay low for the day.  And dye his hair again.  Or buy a
wig.  They would be looking for a blonde man now.  He'd better become a
redhead.  

Around 4 a.m. he finally dared to go on the streets again.  He stole a
hat from a sleeping drunk homeless guy and put it on.  The streets
weren't buzzing with activity anymore.  All had quiet down again.  He
walked a few miles until he found a small motel.  He paid 35 bucks for
one night for a room with a king-size bed, a bathroom and the HBO-movie
channel.  It was small but clean.  The owner didn't ask any questions
nor reacted when he handed Matthews' ID.  He locked himself up and spent
the remainder of the night staring at the ceiling. 

Around 10 a.m. he finally woke up, cursing himself because he overslept.
 He needed to get out of here pronto.  The cops might still be checking
out any motels or hotels where Matthew's ID had been used.  He needed to
get to Washington soon. 

He left the motel around 11 a.m. , and slipped into the first drugstore
he found.  He bought a bottle of red dye and some food and paid cash. 
Then he went to another porntheatre and bought a ticket.  In the toilets
he dyed his hair.  He was now a red-head.  

He left the theater around noon and walked towards the city center.  He
didn't like not having a car.  He felt vulnerable and exposed walking
around with a gun stuffed in his pocket.  Police vehicles passed him but
no one stopped him.  Around 1 p.m. he found a car behind a shopping
center.  He chose a Chrysler Le Baron '92, white.  As he snuck in behind
the wheel and took off, he felt relaxed again.  He wouldn't take the
highway back to Washington but take his time past smaller roads.  If
something went wrong and he was stopped, he might have a better chance
of getting away using roads he knew best.  Of course the roadblocks
would be there too, and he couldn't use Matthew's ID anymore.  Everybody
would be on the lookout for that.  He'd have to get another ID. 

He stopped at a small shopping center just outside of town, and took his
time going inside.  He looked around, trying to spot anyone who
resembled him just a little bit.  Eventually there was a guy who could
pass for what he needed.  He wasn't alone.  A woman rested against his
shoulder as he took his time looking around the shops.  Pinkett followed
them at a certain distance.  

Then he found his chance.  The man kissed his girlfriend/wife/lover and
went to the men's room.  Pinkett followed him inside.  The man took his
time.  Pinkett waited until another visitor washed his hands and checked
quickly of anyone else was in the restroom.  Then he locked the door,
and waited until his victim stepped out.  

As the ignorant man flushed and opened his door, Pinkett knocked him
down with the barrel of his gun, eventually stunning the man.  As he
dropped unconscious on the floor, Pinkett knelt down and grabbed his ID.
 He could pass for him with a bit of imagination.  He would just have to
take the risk.  

'Thanks, buddy,' he said before he unlocked the door and walked outside.
  The girlfriend was waiting patiently for him. 

Pinkett's smart-ass grin got him through the roadblock withholding him
from Washington DC  It was a long way still but as soon as he passed
here, he'd be able to do whatever he wanted.  The cops let him pass.  He
drove his Chrysler like he was a king.  

The car brought him into DC and the abandoned storage facility he had
rented for 2 weeks.  He would be able to use the vehicle for one
abduction.  Then he would have to get rid of it again.  He chose a spot
he would want to lie down for a while, and spent the remainder of the
afternoon thinking about Amy Locane.  Soon another Amy would be in lying
in his arms, and he would be thinking about Mulder when he killed her.


September 13
Richmond Virginia, Randall Hotel

Mulder woke up with a start, not realizing at first where he was.  Then
the throbbing of a headache kept him from getting up too quickly.

'Hey, Mulder,' he heard Scully say from somewhere in the room.  She came
in sight with a glass of water, and gave it to him.  'How do you feel ?'

'Not too bad.  Where are we ?'

'The Randall Hotel, did you forget ?'

'Oh yeah.'  He realized for a moment that he actually missed the
comforts of his old couch.  Waking up in a strange room was something he
still wasn't used to, even after years of traveling around the country. 


'What time is it ?' 

'After 11.  Skinner said to let you sleep it off.  They're waiting
downstairs.'

'They ?'

'Yeah, Davis is here too.'

'They didn't find Pinkett, did they ?'

'No.'  Scully sat down on the side of the bed, looking at his white
T-shirt.  'I performed the autopsy on Denise White early this morning. 
She died the exact same way Denise Forbes and the other girls did.  One
bullet to the back of the head, blowing away the entire backside of the
skull.  She didn't know what hit her, Mulder.' 

Blood on his hands.  He stared at his long fingers.  She saw it and put
her hand over his.  'We need to get back to Washington, Mulder.  If
Pinkett has gotten away and your profile on him is correct, he will
return to the place he loves most.  He loves taking the risks.' 

'I know.'  Mulder pushed aside the blankets and realized he had slept in
the pants of his suit.  

'I got your bag from the trunk of Skinner's car.  There's some jeans and
a sweater you might wanna wear.' 

He turned and smiled.  'Scully, you never told me you were a
mind-reader.'

'Only your complicated mind, Mulder.' 

He took a long, hot shower and came out with his hair messed up.  Scully
was in the adjoining room, logged in on the Bureau's Intranet with her
laptop.  When he was ready, she turned off her computer.  'Let's get you
some breakfast.' 

He followed her downstairs and saw seven or eight of them waiting for
them.  Skinner got out of his chair as he approached the table and said
:'Good to see you back on your feet, agent Mulder.  Please take a seat. 
Do you want some coffee ?'

'Yeah, thanks.'  Mulder sat down and saw Skinner walk to the counter. 
Wow, he must have been worried, he thought.  Skinner never fetched
anything for anyone. 

Skinner placed a plate with fresh donuts in front of him and gave him a
cup of coffee.  'Eat and drink,' he said with a look that told him he
shouldn't even bother to argue.  Mulder ate two donuts and drank two
cups of coffee.  After that he felt like a human again.  He saw Scully's
content nod as he finished.  She must have been worried too. 

Terence Davis hadn't said a word until he finished eating.  Then he said
:'Walter, I've arranged a hotel in DC for your agents.  I'm sure agents
Mulder and Scully would want to go home first to get some things they
might need.  After that they are not to leave the Bureau alone, or the
hotel.  They will be guarded 24 hours a day.'

Surprised Mulder looked up to Skinner to protest.  Skinner however
nodded satisfied.  'Thanks, Terence.  At least now we can be sure Mulder
won't get himself in trouble.' 

'I never do, sir,' Mulder protested weakly but was soon stopped by a
piercing Scully-look.  'Has there been any news on Pinkett ?'

'We received confirmation about half an hour ago that he used Dr.
Matthew's ID to check into a motel.  We've sent agents there but he was
already gone.  We're checking the area right now, but he's probably
already got another car and is trying to leave town.  We'll have to wait
and see what happens.'

'He'll try to get another ID and change his appearance again,' Mulder
said.  'Black hair perhaps, or a wig.'

'Or maybe red,' Scully said with a grin. 

'Yeah. But he wouldn't be an attractive red-head, Scully.' 

His partner glanced at him, and turned towards Davis.  'Whatever,' Davis
said. 

'He'll probably try and find another way of getting to Washington. 
Perhaps take a longer route.  Drive to another town catch a flight out. 
Or an alternative road.'

'We've got it all covered, Mulder,' Davis said. 'Relax.'

'I want to see the file again on the second girl.  He'll want to kill a
girl named Amy now.  It shouldn't be too difficult to find all 'Amy's'
in the Washington area that resemble my sister, right ?  After all,
that's what he wants.  To compare his past activities with his most
recent.'

'We're already on it, Mulder,' Skinner said.  'It won't be easy for
him.'

Mulder hesitated.  'Do the Whites know about their daughter ?'

'Mr. White does,' Scully said.  'His wife is in the hospital under
sedation.  A psychologist will see her and talk to her about what has
happened.'

He nodded his head, remembering the look on his mother's face when she
returned home and found her daughter missing.  She shook him until he
trembled under her grip.  'Where is she ?' she screamed.  'Where's
Samantha ?'
He had had trouble staying awake when she shook him up, trying to reason
with him.  And then his dad had made her release him and said :'It's the
boy's fault, Teena.  Leave him alone.  Can't you see he's sick ?'  His
dad had picked him up and taken him to the hospital.  He had awoken some
time later.  And all memories of that night were gone. 

'Mulder ?'  

He looked up in Scully's worried eyes.  'Yeah.'

'I've been trying to get your attention for minutes now.  We have to
go.'

He got up and followed her.  The bags were already in the car, being put
there by Dan Schreiber.  Like a silent background figure he moved around
them.  Efficient and thorough.

The ride back to Washington was just as quiet as the trip to Richmond
had been.  Mulder watched Skinner take control again as soon as they
entered the Bureau's parkinglot.  

The VCS was still a puddle of activities but something had changed.  A
board had been put up with photos of Samantha Mulder and Denise White. 
Mulder stopped and stared at them, for the first time realizing just how
much these two girls looked alike.  If he had not known for a fact now
that aliens were involved in her abduction, he would have believed that
Pinkett might have murdered her.  But the things he had seen in the
Antarctic had confirmed his faith in the paranormal and alien existence.
 And Samantha had been involved in it.   Still the shock was tremendous.
 The realization that Pinkett was killing girls that resembled his
eight-year-old sister. 

He returned quietly to his desk and looked at Pinkett's file which he
knew by heart.  But in order to catch the guy he would have to listen to
the tapes and his confession surrounding Amy Locane, the girl he had
murdered on September 14.  

He checked his watch.  It was nearly 4 p.m.  His cellphone rang.  

'Mulder.'

'Hey Mulder, how ya doin' ?  I hope you didn't get too badly injured
last night.'

Fox Mulder felt himself get out his chair and waving at Scully to get
her attention.  Within seconds a trace was being placed on Pinkett's
cellphone. 

'I'm fine, Robert.  Where are you ?'

He laughed.  'In Washington.  But you already knew that, didn't you ? 
Did it take you long to figure out I would have change my MO ?'

'No. I figured as much.'

'Thought so.  You found me rather fast, I had to get the hell out of
there.  I hope you found my little surprise.'

'Yeah.'

'Good.  I told you we were going to play a game.  If you're patient just
a little bit more I can get you more pieces to play with soon.'

'Why did you kill her ?'

'You know why.'

'Tell me about it.'

'Why ?  You've already been inside my twisted mind.  Don't you see the
darkness inside of it ?  I can feel it.  Every time I breathe, eat,
sleep.  It's all over me, Mulder and I want to drag you down with me.' 

'No.  I won't let you.'

'Look at yourself.  You're already in it.  Soon you won't be sleeping
anymore.  Maybe that pretty red-head partner of yours can help you get
some rest.  I'm sure she loves drugging you and taking advantage of you.
 I'll see you soon, Mulder.  Watch out for abandoned warehouses now.'
He was gone.  Mulder turned towards his partner and saw her shake her
head.  They didn't have enough time to track him down. 

'Damn it,' Mulder said angry. 

'What did he say ?' Scully asked. 

'Nothing we didn't already know.  Something about insomnia.'  He turned
towards her.  'It doesn't matter.  He's in Washington.'

'We'll get him, Mulder.  Every cop and Federal Agent in the area is out
looking for him.'

'He's not in a warehouse anymore.  He's got something else in mind this
time.'

'Why ?'

'He wouldn't be so obvious.  It's still an abandoned building though. 
He'll kill the girls there but he'll bring them in sight, so we'll find
them quickly.  And then he'll call me.'

Mulder sat down and looked at the second tape.  He sighed and dropped it
on the desk.  'He was right.  I'm already inside his head.'  
He didn't realize he had said it out loud until Davis responded :'And is
that such a bad thing, agent Mulder ?'


September 14, 9 a.m. 
Washington DC, Maddalena Street
 
He spent the night going to the postoffice and driving around town in
his Chrysler.  In his mailbox he found the envelope he'd been waiting
for.  He knew it would arrive fast.  He looked at his new ID.  James
Fields is name would be from now on.  New driver's license, papers, ID. 
A bunch of cash.  Enough to get him through the week.  

Around 8.30 a.m. he parked the car outside the personnel entrance of the
Whitfield School for Girls near the White House and walked in, wearing a
new suit he had bought in a nightstore.  The suit wasn't worth much, but
at least he looked decent.  And attractive of course, even with his new
red hairdo. 

The female principal, Jane Small, regarded him and asked him to take a
seat.  He looked like someone in need of a job, ready to work and
prepared to do anything to get his hands on some money.  She looked at
his cheap suit and haircut.  She felt sorry for him.  

'You do know that the janitor position doesn't pay all that much, Mr.
Fields,' she said.  'But it's a full-time job and you get a free lunch
every noon.  You will be paid by the end of the week.'

'I understand,' he responded.  'I'll be happy just to have a job,
ma'am.' 

'When can you start ?'

'I'd like to start right now if that's alright with you.' 

'Of course.'  She seemed pleased with that, and handed him a set of
keys.  'You will use the personnel entrance at all times.  The girls
will use the gate.  You can park your car behind the school.  Overalls
and equipment will be there as well.  A list of chores will be laid out
for you.'

'Thank you.'  He smiled and shook her hand.   'Can I ask you though,
what's with the police outside the gate ?  Has something happened ?'

'They're looking for someone,' the principal said.  'You don't need to
worry about that.  As long as you do your job right, I'm sure they won't
arrest you.'  She laughed with her own joke and showed him out.
He left her office and walked outside smiling.  Near the back entrance
he watched the cops and Feds checking on the girls entering the school. 
Tonight one of those girls would be his. 
And how he would enjoy killing her.
And how he would enjoy listening to Mulder's upset voice.

Washington DC, September 30, 1990
Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence
Davis, September 14, 1998 Additional Notes by Special Agent Fox Mulder. 
Current assignment : VCS

'Amy Locane, Robert.'

'Yes.' (silence)  
'Amy Locane.' 
(sigh)  
'One of my best achievements.'

'How did you find her ?'

'I figured that by now nobody would be thinking of a serial killer yet. 
I thought you boys would be looking for a one-time killer who murdered
Denise for whatever purpose.  So I figured I would be safe to get a job
at the school I found her.'

'What school ?'

'I don't remember the name of it.  It doesn't really matter anyhow.  I
spotted her the first time when I passed that school.  They were outside
talking.  I guess they had a break or something.  I watched her through
the fence.  She wasn't a dead ringer like Denise was, but she resembled
my mother in any other way.  Her hair was the same, and her eyes.  And
she had the same hautaine look in those eyes of hers.  Like she owned
the world, you know what I'm saying ?'

'How did you go about getting the job ?'

'By coincidence I found out they needed a janitor.  A small note
attached to the message board inside.  I had gone inside you see, and
noticed it.  I applied for the job wearing a suit.  I hadn't worn a suit
for quite some time.  It felt strange.  The principal trusted me when I
cocked up some sad story about losing my previous job due to my
accident.  I limped a bit just for the sake of it.  She asked me when I
could start.  I said : Right now.  She made me fill in some papers which
I handed back with false credentials and of course fake name and
address.  She didn't need to know anything. 
I tracked the girl down inside the school.  I watched what she did and
checked on her schedule when she got off.  I snuck into the teacher's
boardroom and found out everything I needed to know.  I got off just
before she did.  I knew her address.  She took a bus home but I knew she
had to walk the last part.  So I followed her home.  She was alone with
her bag filled with books.  She was so pretty.  I got out just behind
her and got her attention.  Before she noticed what was happening I had
already drugged her and dragged her out to the car.  Some folk saw me
and ran towards me.  I took off as fast as I could in my stolen car. 
Again I switched license plates and got away.  It was so easy.  Cops can
be so stupid sometimes, you know.  I drove her back to Washington, and
learnt on the news that they were now looking for the abductor of 2
missing girls, resembling each other.  I figured they hadn't found the
other girl yet, since they spoke of 'abduction'.  I knew it wouldn't be
too long though.'

'What did you do with her ?'

'The same as I did with Denise.  I got her inside the warehouse and
killed her.'

'Did she beg for her life ?  Plead with you ?'

'Oh yeah.  They all beg sooner or later.  I think she would have done
anything to survive.  Probably fuck me if I had asked her.  But I wasn't
interested in that.  I don't give damn about the sex.  I needed to watch
her die.'

'Did you get off on it ?'

(laughter).  'I'm not sure.  Maybe.  Like I said, it wasn't a sexual
thing.'


September 14, 10.05 a.m. 
Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS

Mulder shut off the tape and looked at the others standing at his desk. 
'He's going for a school now.  He's probably trying to find a job to get
a closer look at the girls so he can make his pick.  We need to check
out every school in the vicinity that has an ad or position for a
teacher, janitor, anything else that might get a stranger inside.'

'Will he perform the exact MO, Mulder ?' Davis asked.  'He knows we'll
be checking on him.'

'He will.  I wouldn't be surprised if he already has a job somewhere. 
Every school in town needs to be checked on.  And you need to check if
there are girls called Amy that match Samantha's description somehow. 
But make it a random check, also on girls that don't match the profile. 
Amy Locane was the only teenager that didn't look exactly like his
mother.  She was different from the others.  I was never sure why he
chose her.  She wasn't his type of victim.  He might want to stick to
this part of the story as well.'

'Got it.'  Davis walked to his office and barked his orders to the men
working for him.  

Scully sat down next to her partner and looked at the photo of the
second murdered teenager.  'You were right, Mulder,' she said.  'She is
different.'

'Yeah.'  He sat back and looked at her.  'I don't know why.  Maybe he
chose her because of the way she walked and talked.  Maybe he just like
having her in his arms crying out for help.'  He sighed and closed his
eyes, imagining Pinkett - what he was doing right now.

Perhaps he did get off on the fact he would soon have one of the girls
in his arms.


September 14, 1998 - 10.15 a.m.
Washington DC

Robert David Pinkett, or James Fields as his current name was, got a
first glimpse of his future victim as she left her classroom with her
friends.  She was a cheerful eight-year-old.  Her features were slim and
small, just like any child of her age.  She had long black hair and a
friendly face, not entirely matching Samantha Mulder's.  But she would
do.  After all, it didn't matter what his second girl looked like.  

Her name was Amy Lewis.  

She had classes until shortly after 3.  Then she would take the
schoolbus home.  He knew the suburb she lived in.  It wasn't so far from
the FBI-Headquarters.  He would follow her and track her down soon.  His
shift ended at 2.45 that day.  He has requested the Principal to go home
earlier just this once.  After all, he had just begun working here.  He
needed to get a few things in order.  The Principal had nodded in
understanding and agreed to let him go earlier.  He had smiled and
thanked her gratefully. 

When he walked to his Chrysler around 2.50, an unmarked car drove up the
public parkinglot.  2 men in suits got out and took the head entrance. 
He paled and turned his back towards them, knowing they wouldn't notice
him with his changed features.  They looked like Feds.  Maybe Mulder
finally got the picture on how to go about catching him.  After all, he
had left enough clues in the past. 

He knew they would be checking up with the Principal on who came to work
at the school most recently.  Perhaps they would even show her his
picture and ask her if he had worked her.  He checked his watch again. 
2.55.  In five minutes school would be out.  His Amy would walk up to
the bus and get on it.  And she would drive home and he would be
straight after her, taking her with him. 

He got in his car and left the parkinglot.  The guards at the get
quickly checked him out.  He showed them the badge he had been given
early this morning.  They let him through and he parked the car just
around the car, behind the schoolbus.

He heard a loud bell.  School was out.  The kids ran outside, pleased
that this day was over.  A bunch of them ran to the waiting bus and got
on it.  Amy was amongst them.  He waited patiently, almost expecting the
Feds to run out of the office to come after him.  But apparently they
hadn't had a chance to talk to the Principal yet.  Or maybe they were
checking out the lists with names.
The bus took off.  He was behind it.  He had time after all.


September 14, 1998 - 3.15 p.m. 
Washington DC

Skinner frowned as he listened to the agitated voice on the other end. 
He put on the speaker and let the others listen to the conversation.

'Are you sure it was him, Schreiber ?' 

'Yes, sir.  The Principal confirmed it.  She said his appearance was
different.  He's dyed his hair red.  It changed him.  The guards at the
gate remember letting him out just before the school was out.  Sir, we
have a list of possible victims here.  There are five Amy's who could
match the description who are eight years old.  Two of them have been
picked up by their parents.  The other three are on different
schoolbuses.'

'Alright. Fax me the info you have straight away and stand by for
further action.' Skinner quickly dictated the fax on Davis' desk and
hung up.  Within a minute a fax with five names and locations came
through.  Mulder grabbed it and looked at them steadily.

'Forget the girls with the parents.  He's going after a schoolbus.'

'That leaves us with three possibilities, Mulder,' Scully said.  'Which
one ?'

Mulder tried to focus on the names but none of them had a significant
meaning.  The photos on the fax were blurry.  Mulder looked at them.  'I
don't know.  We need to find all three of them.'

'Okay.  Let's split up.  Davis, get three teams after those buses right
now.  We need to find this girl before he does.'  Skinner grabbed the
fax and said :'We'll have to make a guess.  But we know he's driving a
white Chrysler.' 

'Sure thing.'  Davis got on the phone and arranged it.

As he hung up, he watched Mulder frown.  'Something's wrong,' Mulder
said.  'I don't know what it is, but I have the distinct feeling we're
missing something here.  Give me that fax again.'

Skinner handed him the piece of paper and watched him closely. 

'I would like to see a complete list of kids going to that school,'
Mulder said.  'All eight-year-olds.'

Skinner got on the phone with Schreiber and ordered him to fax the list.

'That's going to take a while, sir,' Schreiber said.  'They have about
eighty eight-year-olds here.'

'Make it fast,' Skinner said looking at Mulder who sat down anxiously.  
As he hung up, Mulder closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.  Then he
looked at Skinner and said :'He's not going after one of those five
girls.  I don't know how I know, but I'm convinced we're missing out.'

'How can you be so sure ?' Scully asked.

'I don't know.  He would be smarter than to just drive behind a
schoolbus, knowing we'd be there too.'

'How many buses are there ?' Davis asked.

'About twenty I believe Schreiber said,' Skinner responded.  

'We need to check on all buses.  He's after one we don't know about.' 
Mulder got off his chair, grabbing his coat, ready to go as soon as the
fax came in.'  A few moments later the paper came in.  

Mulder carefully checked the list.  Then the room looked up as he
shouted :'Goddamnit !' He threw it down and ran towards the elevators. 
Scully picked up the paper, immediately knowing what he saw.   'It's not
an Amy we're looking for.  It's Amelia !'

Davis grabbed the fax dazed and looked at the names of the girls.  On
the top of the second row the name Amelia Lewis, or Amy Lewis as she was
called by her friends, rang a bell. 

Skinner could hardly keep by with his agents as they ran towards
Mulder's car.  As soon as he sat besides Mulder he got on the phone with
the cops, ordering them to go after schoolbus 34 taking the suburb
route.  A girl's life was in danger. 


September 14,1998 - 3.45 p.m. 
Washington DC 

A hectic situation downtown with a number of schoolbuses coming from the
girl's school only described a bit of the panic going on in the city. 
All three schoolbuses were stopped and thoroughly checked.  Any cars
behind them were stopped.  But the girls named Amy were still on it,
looking surprised when the Federal Agents invited them to take a ride in
a police vehicle.  None of the vehicles behind them contained the
whereabouts of Robert Pinkett. 

Fox Mulder drove as fast as he could until he crossed the path of bus 34
heading to the outskirts of town.  The bus had already been stopped by a
police car.  

'Is she still on it ?' Mulder asked an officer.  The man didn't know
what he was talking about. 

Mulder got on the bus.  'Amelia Lewis.  Amy Lewis, is she here ?'

No answer.  He put his badge in the air.  'Don't be alarmed, I'm an
FBI-agent.  Can anyone tell me what happened to Amy ?'

A girl from the backrow got up and said :'She was supposed to get off on
First, but she wanted to visit Ruth first.  She was sick home from
school today.'

'Where did she get off ?' Mulder asked anxiously.

'Near Marsden, I believe,' the girl responded.  'About five minutes
ago.'

'Shit !' Mulder turned around and got off the bus quickly.  As he ran to
the car, he told the others to get in as well.  Like a madman he drove
off towards Marsden Street.  But he knew before he even got there, that
it was already too late.

He was right.  Two minutes before Mulder arrived at Marsden, a white
Chrysler Le Baron '92, drove off.  A young girl lay unconscious in the
trunk of the car.  Her face, hands and ankles were covered with tape. 

Part V : Darkness and Demerol 

September 14, 8.45 p.m. 
Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS

'I don't believe this !' Davis yelled through his phone.  'A girl gets
abducted in broad daylight and no one sees a thing ?  I don't fuckin'
believe this !'

Scully sighed, seated on the coach in his office.  'I think your former
boss is kind of pissed of,' she whispered to Mulder.  He hardly heard
her, resting his head between his hands while supported on his knees. 
She put her hand on his shoulder.  'It's not your fault, Mulder.'

'He's playing with us, Scully.  He knows exactly what I'm thinking.  I
shouldn't be the one profiling him.  He knows what I'm thinking before I
know it myself.  Maybe he's the one profiling me.  I don't know shit
anymore.'

Davis hung up and looked angrily at the Federal Agents in his office. 
'I want every single neighborhood in this city thoroughly checked out,'
he said, losing his anger as he sank in his chair fatigued.  'Every day
people get caught for abduction, rape, serial killings.  And we can't
find a little girl.'

'By the time we arrived at Marsden's she was gone,' Scully said.  'We
did everything we could.'

'I know, agent Scully,' Davis responded.  'But our good apparently is
not enough.  Mulder, you need to go deeper inside this guy's head. 
Concentrate on the evidence at hand.  Foresee his every move.'

'It's not that easy,' Mulder said.  'I'm doing the best I can.'

Davis got out of his chair and sat down in front of his former agent. 
'You're not going deep enough and you know it.  You're not seeing the
whole picture here.'

'What do you want from me, Terry ?' Mulder said as he got up.  'Do you
want me to become like him ?  Is that it ?  I can do that, you know. 
You've asked me before, didn't you ?  You've used Reggie to get me to
crawl inside the heads and minds of serial killers.  I've done that,
Terry.  I've seen the insides of John Lee Roche and it nearly cost
another girl's life.  Is that what you want ?  That I go at any lengths
to track him down and shoot him like he's an animal ?'

'I know you're fatigued, Mulder.  I know the entire story.  The things
you claim you saw when you went to get your partner.  The bullet that
grazed your skull.  Hell, I even see the scars.  But you have to forget
all that and concentrate on this case.  Tell me what you see.'

Mulder turned away from him, burying his face in his hands.  The other
agents in the room watched shocked as Terence Davis approached him and
forced him to look at him.  Mulder's eyes weren't crying, but they saw
things any human being shouldn't be seeing.  Davis knew he was pushing
him over the edge.  But right now there was no edge.  Nor was there a
place and time where Mulder could hide from Robert Pinkett.  'Tell me
what you see.  You are Robert Pinkett.  What are you doing ?'

'I'm getting ready to kill the girl.  She's lying at my feet, shivering
from cold.  I've got her stashed inside a cold place.  I've taken
precautions.  Nobody will find me here when I kill her.'

'What's the girl doing ?'

'She's looking at me frightened.  She knows I'll pull the trigger soon
and blow away the back of her head.' 

'Where are you ?  Look around.'

Mulder shook his head.  'I don't know.  I can't - You've got to - No,
leave me alone.'

'You're Robert Pinkett, Mulder.  You're inside his head.  Look around.' 

'I can't !' Mulder violently freed himself from Davis' grip.  His eyes
spoke of terror and anger as he pushed away the superior agent.  'Leave
me alone !' 

Davis' hip hit the side of his desk but he didn't seem to notice. 
Mulder looked at him in terror.  His breath was too fast, too eager to
inhale the air he wasn't able to breathe in moments before.  'No.'  He
shook his head.  'I'm not going to let you screw around in my head
anymore.'

'Do you want to find other girls like the ones with the cloth hearts,
Mulder ?'

'No.'  His voice sounded much younger now, almost childish.

'Then go back in that dark place and get out whatever you can.' 

'I can't.'

'You can ! You're wasting your time in that basement office.  You could
have saved many lives if you stayed with me - with us.  But you wasted
it all on some stupid quest to find your sister.  And she's dead,
Mulder.  She's been dead for years.'

'No.  I know she's alive.  And my quest hasn't been for nothing,' Mulder
said angrily.  'You have no right to judge my work or the things I do.'

'It's a waste of time,' Davis responded bitterly.  'A bunch of crap
hidden in a basement office.'

'That's enough, Davis.'  Skinner entered the room, ready to stop this
fight.  'Mulder is my agent.  He's helping you as a favor.  Respect his
help or back away.'

Davis shrugged.  'You're too soft for this line of work, Walter.  You're
wasting him.'

'Mulder has made his choices in life.  I respect that.  No, I respect
h=EDm.  If you can't, that's your problem, not ours.' 

'I see.'  Davis turned to sit down at his desk.  The agents working for
him were quiet still, watching the scene develop.  It sounded as if old
fights were being battled here.  'Now I see where you get your
weaknesses, Mulder.'

Mulder didn't respond but picked up his coat and left the room.  Skinner
went after him.  'Mulder, you can't go.  You're under protection.'

Mulder stopped and picked up the file.  Skinner took it out of his
hands.  'That can wait until the morning.  Let's go.'  Skinner turned
and looked at Scully, nodding for her to join them.  As they left the
floor, other agents followed to leave for the night.  Davis stayed
behind alone.  


September 14, 1998 - time unknown
Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS

Mulder's cellphone went off before he reached the elevators.  Sharing a
glance with Scully he picked up. 

'Mulder.  Do you want to know what it 's like to have a girl in your
possession ?'

'Is she still alive ?'

'For now.  But I thought I'd share this with you. After all, I'm doing
it all for you.'

'Don't kill her, Pinkett.  You still have the choice over life and
death.  Don't do it.'

'I'm sorry but you know I must.'

'Don't.'  Mulder swallowed as his throat thickened.  'Please, don't do
this to her family.'

'What's it worth to you, Mulder ?  Do you think she has a brother who
would do anything for her ?'

'She has one brother.  Don't make him go through the same I have been
through.'

'So what's it worth to you ?'

'Everything.  Just don't kill her.'

'Would you sacrifice yourself to save her ?'

'Yes.'

'And that lovely partner of yours ?'

Mulder hesitated.   One second long.  It was the second he couldn't
afford to waste.

'I thought so.  Say goodbye to Amy, Mulder.'

'Don't !' Mulder's shout mixed with the sound of a single gunshot.  
'No !'  Mulder dropped the phone on the floor and stumbled to the
elevators.  He felt the anger rage in his body like a knife through
flesh.  He could scream it out, but his throat was sore and closed.  He
ended up with his head between his hands, resting against the cold
walls.  Skinner walked up to him, trying to get him to talk to him. 
Mulder was unresponsive. 

Scully picked up his phone.  'Yo, Mulder, you still there ?'  Pinkett's
voice called out his name. 

'No,' she said.  'It's Scully.'

'Ah, the lovely agent Scully.  Is your partner upset ?'

Scully looked at him standing near the elevators.  Skinner had his hand
on Mulder's forehead, as if to support the agent through his ordeal.

'We'll get you, you son of a bitch,' she said.  

'Not today.'  A click and he was gone. 

Scully turned off the phone and walked up to her partner, forcing him to
look at her.  She could hardly recognize the look in his eyes.  Never
before had she seen this.  She clung to him, forcing him to cling to her
slim body.  She heard a sound coming from his throat, as if he swallowed
away the lump that was created inside of his body.  He looked at her
without seeing her.  He started to shiver. 

'He's going in shock,' Scully said.  'We have to get him out of here.' 

The elevator opened.  Gently she pushed Mulder inside.  He leant against
the wall, still not saying a word.  Skinner, Schreiber, Williamson and
Davis were with them.  
Then, when the elevator doors were about to open again, Mulder said
:'Check every block around her house.  He's going to bring her there, in
plain view.'

'We'll find her, Mulder,' Skinner said.  'That is not of your concern.' 

They walked over to Skinner's car.  Scully didn't see it happen.  All of
a sudden Mulder was on the ground quietly, like he had fallen asleep. 
Skinner made an effort to keep him from hitting the ground, but to no
avail.  'Let's get him in the car.' 

Scully opened the cardoor and helped the others when they laid Mulder
inside.  Quickly she slid in on the back seat, supporting his head and
torso with her slim body.  

'Does he need a hospital ?' Skinner asked, leaning inside.

'No.  I don't think so.  He's exhausted.'

'Let's go to the hotel then.'

Skinner got in behind the wheel and looked at the silent Schreiber. 
Davis and Williamson would follow in Davis' car.  The Bureau had
arranged several rooms at the same hotel.  When the car took off, Scully
suddenly realized she didn't even have clean clothes for the next
morning.  


September 14, 10.05 p.m. 
Washington DC, Maddalena Street

Pinkett cleaned up the mess swiftly.  He looked at the girl wrapped in
the blanket.  Her hair was the only thing visible.  He hadn't enjoyed
killing her as much as he did the others.  She wasn't a dead ringer. 
Even her eyes were different.  He smiled when he was told about the
Federal cars chasing the schoolbuses.  Again, Mulder had come close to
finding him.  He imagined even seeing his car when he left Marsden
Street.  Maybe Mulder had been just behind him, not realizing he was the
one driving the white Chrysler. 

His contact had warned him about the hotel the Feds were staying at. 
Pinkett knew they would never let Mulder sleep at home.  Afraid that he
would be abducted, murdered, whatever.  But it was okay.  At least now
he could deliver his package where no one expected it.  Around the back
of the hotel. 

He would do it in the morning.  Early morning, around 6 a.m., before the
guests started to wake up.  Leave the girl there, to make sure someone
found her.  Then the Feds would be running out of the building, trying
to find her.  Mulder would be there too, finding the second piece of the
game.  All hell would break loose.  He couldn't wait to hear about the
expression on Mulder's face.  

Do you see your demons in your dreams, Mulder ?  Do you want to see some
more ? 

September 14, 10.25 p.m. 
Washington DC

The first thing he was aware of was a soft hand leaning against his
shoulder and neck.  He was moving, even though he didn't know why or
how.  Then he realized that the softness he was lying on, was someone's
lap.  He knew that scent.  Scully. 
Quickly he opened his eyes and stared at her feet.  Her hand caressed
his cheek carelessly.  She probably didn't know he was awake, otherwise
she wouldn't be doing this.  

He heard voices in the front of the car.  Dan Schreiber was talking to
Skinner.  He was the one driving the car.  Suddenly he became aware of
the stiffness in his body.  He was cramped up in the back seat of the
vehicle.  
He moaned slightly, to let her know he was awake.  The next moment he
saw her eyes as her face leant over him and said :'Mulder, take it easy.
 We're going to the hotel.'

Carefully he tried to get up straight.  A pounding headache was the
result.  He felt dizzy.  
'What happened ?' he asked, recalling the last thing he did before he
went down.

'You collapsed in the parkinglot of the Bureau.'

'I did ?' 

'Yeah.'  She smiled and touched his forehead, her fingernails grazing
the spot he had been shot only a couple of weeks ago.  'You're not
feverish.  But you still look like hell, Mulder.  Do you feel dizzy ?'

'Yeah.'  

'No wonder.  The last time you ate was this morning.'

'I haven't seen you eating either.'

'Mulder, I ate a bagel, remember ?  Schreiber brought them.  You were
too occupied to notice.' 

He nodded, saying nothing in return. 

Skinner looked at him through the rearview mirror.  'Mulder, if it
weren't for Scully, you'd be starving to death.  I wonder how you ever
managed to survive before she joined you on The X-Files.'

Mulder grinned, remembering the ten pounds he had gained since she
forced him to eat regularly.  'Yeah well, I'm sure agent Scully enjoys
every second of it, sir.'

Skinner pulled up at the hotel.  Schreiber was out of the car before
Mulder and opened his door.  Mulder got out, shaking legs et all.  
'Easy, Mulder,' Skinner said, supporting him.  'The first thing you are
going to do is go up to your room.  I'll have room service bring you
some food.  Scully, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid like wonder
off.'

'Yes, sir.' 

Another car pulled up, and Davis and Williamson got out.  

'Our boy's awake,' Davis said, walking up to him.  'You okay ?'

'Yeah.' 

'Good.  Get some rest, Mulder.  Or Skinner'll kick your butt.'

'Boy, I feel important,' Mulder grinned as he walked up to the lobby,
surrounded by his colleagues.  Scully pressed the elevator button and
looked at him cautiously, ready to grab in as soon as he showed anymore
signs of fatigue.  But Mulder made it on his own to his room, dropping
on the bed like a log.  
She sat down on the side of the bed and examined him closer.  'Mulder,
I'm going to give you a sedative so you'll sleep better than you did
last night.'

'I slept fine last night.'

'You were having nightmares.  You called out for your sister.'

'I always call out for her.  At least that's what my mother used to
say.'

'You had a fever too.' 

'Okay, th=E0t I don't do every night.'  He pushed himself up on his
elbows.  'Scully, did you give me something last night as well ?'

'Yeah, I did.  After you went asleep.  But it didn't help much so I'm
going to give you something else tonight.'

'Pinkett said something - on the phone.  He said that you drugged me so
you could take advantage of me.'

Scully flushed.  'Not exactly.'

Mulder smiled.  'I wouldn't have said no to the last part.  Seriously,
the point is : He knew that you drugged me.  How did he know that ?'

She thought for a while.  'Because someone told him.'

'We talked about this before.  Someone on the inside is feeding him
information, telling him things.  How did he know where to find Denise
White ?  Because he knew where she lived.  How did he know which school
to pick to find Amy Lewis ?  How did he know about the janitor's job ? 
Because someone arranged it.  He knows about Samantha's file.  He knows
about the work that we do.  He knows everything about us.'

'Mulder, that's impossible.  Are you suggesting that one of ours is
feeding him this information ?'

'Someone who's close to us.'  

'But there were several agents present last night.  How can we find out
who it was ?'

'Only a few agents were here all the time.  Dan Schreiber, Kevin
Williamson, Clark Weinstein ..'

'And Terence Davis.' 

'No.'  Mulder shook his head fervently.  'Terence wouldn't be so stupid
to blow his entire life and career to a guy like Pinkett.  He puts
people like Pinkett on death row.'

'What if Pinkett has something on one of these men ?' Scully said
thoughtfully.  'It is worth a background check.' 

'It might be.  I remember - back in '90, Pinkett told me he had a friend
who fed him information from the outside.  We found out it was some
small-time criminal called Freddy Willcox.  I don't know if he's still
around.' 

'I'll find out.' 

'I'll come with you.'  Mulder was already on his feet.

'No, Mulder.'  She pushed him back determined.  'You're staying put.'

'Scully, come on.'

'I'm serious, Mulder.  I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but you
collapsed twice already.  Yesterday you were hit by a car.  You're
exhausted, mentally and physically.  You're not going anywhere.'

'Scully, I'm fine.  Honestly.  I don't know what happened to me tonight.
 Everything just turned black after that phonecall.'

'I know you're dreaming about that girl, Joanna.  And your sister. Every
time Pinkett kills a girl, you're seeing the image of your dead sister. 
It's enough to make anyone lose control.  I'm worried about you,
Mulder.'

'Of course you are.  You're on my one in five billion, remember ?'

She smiled.  'I'm not going to put you back in that mental institute if
that's what you're worried about.  Instead, I'm going to stay right here
besides you through this whole thing and hold your hand to make sure
you're not pushing yourself over the edge.  How does that sound ?'

He leaned back in the pillows.  'Not bad at all,' he mumbled sleepy.  'I
wouldn't mind having you on this bed next to me.'

'I'm sure you wouldn't,' she smiled.  'But remember, buster, if you try
to take advantage of this damsel, you won't be producing kids for quite
some time.' 

'Is that a promise, Scully ?' he asked as his voice faded away. 

'You betcha.'  She kissed him on the cheek, almost touching his mouth. 
He fell asleep on her before she pulled away her mouth.

He looked quite innocent in his sleep, she thought, remembering that day
in the Antarctic, when he had collapsed in the ice, and she had to
protect him against the cold.  For minutes she had waited until he woke
up, thinking she could sit there an eternity, despite the freezing cold
that tore through their clothes.  And then the chopper came, to find out
what the hell was going on on that ice.  He had awoken on her lap in the
chopper, just like he had woken up in the car, just a few moments ago. 
Twice she had touched his face, thinking of the hell he had gone through
to find her, and the hell he was going through now to find a serial
killer on the run. 

As she got off the bed, she turned to find Davis looking at her.  She
had forgotten to close the door. 

'You two seem to get along quite nicely,' he said, looking at Mulder's
dressed sleeping form.  'Do you always hug him to sleep ?'

'No,' she said angrily.  'Only when he's going through hell.'  Davis
followed her to the adjoining room and watched her close the door to let
Mulder sleep.

'He'll be fine.  You don't have to fuss over him.'

'What do you know about him ?' She said.  'You couldn't care less about
his work or his beliefs.  You don't know what we went through.'

'I know you were abducted and he came after you.  I read the report.  A
UFO buried in the ice ?  Bees and corncrops that carry a virus ?  If
that's the kind of work you're interested in, be my guest to chase
ghosts, agent Scully.  I'm surprised you lasted so long.  You were quite
the ambitious young FBI-agent when you first joined the Bureau.'

'We have an 85 % resolve in our cases,' she said.  'That's more than the
VCS.'

'But how many killers have you brought to justice ?  Where are those
mutants, or alien bounty hunters Mulder writes about in his reports ? 
The monster that attacked him when he was admitted to a hospital ?  The
reason why the X-Files were shut down in the first place was because of
his lack of interest in anything else.  Did you really think others
would stand by and watch as he spent government money on chasing UFO's ?
 Skinner held a hand above your heads for five years, but he knew he
couldn't for much longer.  Mulder buried himself when he failed to
protect that wunderkind.  And he's not going to get himself out of it
either.'

'That's just what you want, isn't it ?' Scully said forcefully.  'For
him to give up his hopes and hunt so he could return to the VCS and work
for you.  With him in your force you would get better results and more
respect.  They've been after you for five years because you let him go
easily when he wanted the basement office.  And that's why you're so
hung up about this.  You want him to do everything in his power to get
inside Pinkett's head, so afterwards you can force him to stay at the
VCS.  It's not going to happen.  He'll never give up on the X-Files.' 

'There are no more X-Files, agent Scully. The office burnt down.'

'He'll start over again.'

'With you, I presume.'

'Yes.'

'But what if you were offered another job within the Bureau, agent
Scully ?  One that would satisfy your own needs ?  After all, you are
ambitious.  I'm sure you want more than that basement office.'

'I'm happy where I am.' 

'Because of him.'  

'Amongst others, yes.'

'You love him.'

She turned her back to Davis.  'I'm not going to discuss my feelings for
Mulder with you, sir.'

'You're afraid to admit it, aren't you ?'

She walked past him.  'Please leave us alone, sir.  Mulder needs his
rest.' 

'I'll leave him alone, for now.  But tomorrow is another day, agent
Scully.  And Pinkett is still out there. Mulder hasn't even begun going
through hell, believe me.  By the time all of this is over, you'll be
picking up the pieces with a shovel.' 

'I'll prevent that from happening,' she said firmly.  'And if needs be,
I'll make sure he doesn't have anything more to do with you.'

Davis smiled.  'Be careful whom you threaten, agent Scully.  After all,
you are still talking to an Assistant-Director.'

'Right now I don't care who you are,' she said.  'My partner is my first
priority.'

'How touching.  Don't bother showing me out, I know my way.'  Davis
walked out the door, leaving her behind furiously.  A second later a
knock on Mulder's door made her hurry to his room.  Skinner looked at
her with a tray in his hand.  'Figured I might as well bring the food
myself,' he said, walking past her.  

'Is he asleep ?'

'Yeah, but I'll wake him.  Right now he needs food more than sleep.' 

'Scully, are you okay ?  You look angry.'

'Yeah.  I just had a discussion with Davis.  That guy really pisses me
off.'

'He's an excellent leader,' Skinner said with a slight hint of respect
in his voice.  'They're talking about 
promoting him in a couple of months.  One of the top execs is retiring.'

'Oh boy.  Not the kind of guy you'd want to piss off then.'

'Did you piss him off ?'

'I think so.  We're not exactly fond of each other.'

'Don't worry about it, Davis is not fond of anyone.'

Scully walked up to the bed and looked down at her sleeping partner. 
When she touched his shoulder, he looked him with a look of fear in his
eyes, ready to attack whomever was touching him.
'Mulder, it's me.'  

He relaxed as he saw her. 

'You need to eat.  Come on.' 

He got out of the bed and took a seat at the table opposite of Skinner. 
The tray was filled with sandwiches, coffee, milk and sugar.  Eager
Mulder ate three sandwiches and drank two cups of coffee in silence. 
Then he told Skinner about his suspicions towards one of the agents. 
Skinner listened as he explained his motivations for accusing one of
them.  Skinner didn't even seem that surprised. 

'You expected this, didn't you, sir ?' Scully asked as she drank some
coffee.

'I'm afraid so.  I want this to stay in this room, but I'm already
tracking down every bit of info I can get on our fellow colleagues.  I
don't mean to sound like you, Mulder, but this whole case has got me
spooked.'

Mulder smiled at his least favorite word.  

'There's something about it that doesn't seem right.  It's like we are
being watched all the time.  Every move we make, every action we do is
being monitored.'

'By whom ?'

'I don't know.'

'Do you think the top branch is involved in this ?' Scully asked. 
'Working against us somehow ?'

'Again I don't know.'

'That means we can only rely on each other,' Mulder said.  'Whatever we
do has to stay in this room.'

'That's impossible, Mulder.  We need them to find Pinkett.'

'But we don't need them to discuss action.'  Mulder got up and found his
jacket on the side of the bed.  In his pocket he found a notepad he had
snatched from his desk earlier that day.  'Pinkett is going after a girl
in a playground next.  Washington is a big city, sir.  We cannot track
and check on every playground without knowing where or when he might
strike.  But he's going after a girl named Valerie this time.  What I
want to do is send a police car to every school in town, as we did
today.  This time to notify the staff that none of the girls are allowed
to go home by themselves.  Every single girl that bares that name has to
be guided home.  The playgrounds near the schools need to be closed for
the day.'

'What if he doesn't get a girl tomorrow ?  Won't he try to get his fix
the next day ?'

'No. He'll stick to the routine.  I'm pretty sure he'll skip the girl
and move on.  The point is we have to be there before him.  The only
thing we can do is take precautions and hope they've worked.  But I want
a warning issued today to every family in town.  We need extra cars and
men to do this.  And we need to distribute photos of Pinkett every which
way he might look.  I'm pretty sure he's going for a wig tomorrow.  He
won't risk dying his hair again.  Whatever disguise he's wearing, we
need to know about it.  And he'll want to get rid of the Chrysler.  Have
you found out yet whose car it was ?'

'Yeah.  He mugged the owner in a shopping center outside of Richmond. 
The guy's in the hospital right now, didn't know what hit him.  He went
to the men's room and woke up in hospital.  His girlfriend found him.'

'He'll chose a completely different car now, probably steal it in a
large parkinglot.  An older car, one that doesn't stand out.' 

'Okay, we'll have the public lots monitored more carefully.  Anything
else ?'

'Yes.'  Mulder sat down again.  'He'll use another fake ID.  We need to
find out who's making those ID's and where the money comes from to
provide them.'

'If Davis finds out we're running an investigation within an
investigation, he'll freak,' Scully said. 

Mulder smiled.  'He wouldn't expect anything less from me.  Why do you
think he contacted me again ?' 

'I'll leave you to it,' Skinner said.  'It's after 11.  I'd like to get
some sleep somewhere tonight.  Go to bed, Mulder.'

'Yes, sir.'

Mulder looked at his suit, remembering he didn't bring anything to wear
for the morning.  Skinner seemed to read his thoughts.  'Tomorrow
morning we'll pick some things for you and Scully.  You can sleep in a
T-shirt tonight.'

'That'll do just fine.'  

Skinner left the room, leaving them alone.  Scully turned towards her
partner.  

'Are you going to help me undress, Scully ?'

'No,' she smiled.  'I've got a nice needle ready to stick in your butt. 
Get undressed, Mulder.'

'Come on, Scully, I don't need anything.'

'No arguments, partner.'

Mulder sighed and walked to the bathroom, leaving his clothes there.  He
returned in boxers and the white T-shirt he always wore underneath.  As
he slipped between the sheets, he noticed Scully hadn't been lying.  The
professional side of her had already prepared a syringe filled with
goodies.  He turned on his side.  As her cold hands touched the lower
part of his back, he thought he could easily be aroused by her touch. 
But the circumstances were not exactly perfect.  She injected him. 
Immediately he felt the fluid take over. 

'Scully,' he said as his voice faltered. 

'Yeah ?'

'Do you think she was my sister ?'

She knew he was referring to the woman at the diner.

'I don't know, Mulder.'

'I wish she was.  Even if she doesn't want anything to do with me, at
least she'd be alive.'  He closed his eyes and slept.

For minutes she sat on the side of the bed, feeling his agony.  And
there was nothing she could do about it.


September 15, 5.15 a.m.
Washington DC 

He woke up early in the morning.  The night had been wasted on the cold
floor.  He tossed and turned until he finally realized again why he was
so excited.  He would drop off the girl at the hotel, knowing dozens of
them were there.  

He had to find another car today.  The Chrysler had become too high
profiled.  They would comb through the vehicle with a toothbrush when
they found the vehicle, finding only his fingerprints.  Surprise
surprise.  Maybe he should leave them a hint.  Or not.  He loved toying
with them.  After all, none of them were as close to him as Mulder.

He put the girl in the trunk.  Her body was hard to handle by now.  She
had lain the entire night on the cold floor.  Pinkett smiled, thinking
about Mulder's agony over the phone.  Would he understand why Pinkett
was doing this ?  Would he listen to the hints behind the words ?

He made a mental note to get another cellphone as well today.  Maybe
he'd drop the doctor's phone somewhere in a shopping center while
speaking to Mulder.  It would get the Feds to the mall, surrounding the
building after they'd traced the call.  It would buy him some time to
get to his third victim.  He smiled as he thought of his Valerie Malone,
the blonde teenage girl that had practically spread her legs, inviting
him to rape her and then get rid of her.  Just to end it all.  He had
touched her belly, and then lifted her on her feet, pulled the trigger
to her head as she tried to kiss him.  Oh, she was a joy, that one.  
And today he would have another Valerie to toy with.  One half her age,
but still as sensual as they could get.  He'd have to control himself
while strolling through memory lane. 


September 15, 5.20 a.m. 
Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel

Mulder checked his bag, hoping his sweats were still in it.  He always
took them with him, wherever he went.  Yesterday he'd slept until 11; a
drug-induced sleep Scully had provided him.  He remembered her injecting
him with something else last night as well.  Apparently it didn't work
as strong this time.  He checked his watch.  If he got back by 6.30, she
wouldn't notice he had run off by himself.  With a bit of luck he could
surpass the guards in the corridor.  

While he got dressed, he thought about how much he hated feeling cooped
up like this.  He didn't like the idea of having guards close to him all
the time, checking every move he made.  He was sure Pinkett wouldn't be
stupid enough to come looking for him here.  If he was, he'd be in jail
before he could even sneeze.  But then again, Pinkett was anything but
predictable.  He had proved that yesterday.  

Mulder put on his shoes and pulled the gray sweater over his head.  It
would be chilly outside, but he liked it chilly.  The best time of the
year to go for a run. 

He'd almost forgotten the dizziness he had felt last night, and still
couldn't figure out why he had passed out like that.  Maybe Scully was
right.  He should start eating regular meals.  But he simply forgot all
the time.  When they were out on assignment, she was always the one
pulling him inside a restaurant or diner to get something to eat.  He
simply could afford to eat as little as possible.  

Mulder opened the door of his room and checked the corridor.  It was
quiet.  Maybe they were downstairs, or near the elevators, checking
everyone that would come in.  As he walked over the elevators, he saw
two of them talking.  Quickly he turned and walked over to the fire
escape.  A moment later he was standing in a stairwell.  Their rooms
were four floors up.  There would be others downstairs, checking out the
entrance to the hotel.  He'd have to try and go through the kitchen, and
see if there was a servant's door around the back.  There usually were,
making way to an alley around back.  

He took his time going down the stairs.  As he opened the door, he saw a
couple of others agents near the entrance.  He had been right.  He
walked the opposite direction, and went into the kitchen.  There wasn't
much activity here either.  A few maids were talking to each other, but
hardly paid attention to him.  He took the first door he could see and
ended up in an alley at the back of the hotel.  He smiled at his luck. 
Yeah, it was a good time to go for a run. 

A car turned in the alley.  Mulder froze and duck behind a garbage
container.  It was dark still, he couldn't make out much more than the
lights.  The car stopped a few yards before him, at another container. 
Someone got out and opened the trunk.  Mulder heard him breathe heavily
through the weight he was pulling out of the vehicle.  In the lights of
the alley he saw the familiar figure of the man he had been tracking
down for days now.  Instinctively he reached for his gun.  It wasn't
there.  He'd left it at the room.  

The man was not paying attention to anything else but the package in his
hands.  Mulder got from behind his safe spot and quickly walked over to
him, grabbing him by the shoulders as he dropped his package.

'Get your hands against the wall, now !' Mulder shouted as he pushed
Pinkett's body against the bricks.  'You're busted, Pinkett.'

Robert Pinkett seemed startled at first, and then surprised.  'What the
hell are you doing here, Mulder ?  
I didn't expect you at this hour.  Didn't your cute partner drug you
this time ?'  Pinkett tried to turn slightly to see Mulder's face, but
he got was pushed back.  

'Didn't your mother never tell you not to take risks, Robert ?' 
Mulder's breathing was heavy as he spread Pinkett's legs, trying to find
the gun.  Pinkett came out clean.  The gun wasn't there.  Mulder quickly
looked inside the car, but didn't see the weapon.  On the floor next to
the driver's seat were a few syringes.  

'I love taking risks,' Pinkett answered slowly.   'Life is full of
risks, isn't it, Mulder ?'

'Do you enjoy killing those girls, Robert ?'

'Oh yeah.  I get off on it.  Isn't that what you wanted to ask me ?'

'You're going down, Robert.  This time you won't be able to finish what
you started.'

Pinkett smiled.  'I'm not so sure about that.  It ain't over until the
gas knocks me out.  And as far as I can see right now, you haven't put
me on that chair yet.  So come on, arrest me.  Get out your cuffs and
put them on my wrists before I run off again.' 

Mulder realized he had to do something.  He didn't have his phone, a gun
or cuffs to handle Pinkett.  Quickly he looked around for something tie
the man up.  If necessary he'd knock him out cold.  But Pinkett didn't
seem to bother to struggle against him.  Like a lamb he waited patiently
until Mulder made a move.

'What's the matter, Mulder ?  Did you forget your tools ?'  Pinkett
asked slowly.  

Mulder shoved him forward, towards the kitchen door.  'Start moving. 
You're not going to kill anymore girls today.' 

'Too bad.'  Pinkett nodded towards the body in the blanket.  'Shouldn't
you check if she's still alive ?'

Mulder's eyes quickly strolled towards the girl, and then back to
Pinkett.  Pinkett's moves were fast and calculated.  With one solid pull
he freed his right hand and arm, shoving Mulder against the brick wall. 
He turned around quickly, hitting Mulder's jaw.  When the second blow
came, Mulder lifted his arm to protect his face, and hit Pinkett back. 
The murderer backed away, tripping against the open cardoor.  He fell on
the floor, and tried to crawl onto the driver's seat.  Mulder's hands
grabbed him by his jacket, pulling him out of the car again.  Pinkett's
hand held one of the syringes, plunging it into Mulder's shoulder. 

Mulder cried out as the needle tore through his flesh.  'Bastard !' 

Pinkett watched him go down for the count.  He ended up on his stomach,
his hands beside him.  His body sighing heavily as he could no longer
open his eyes.  Pinkett bent over him, and smiled :'Next time we meet,
I'm going to kill you, Mulder.'   

Pinkett moved towards the girl and pulled back the blanket, making her
visible for the world.  He took the plastic piece of Stratego from her
clamped hand and put it between Mulder's fingers.  He watched his
profiler for a moment before pulling the gun from underneath the seat of
the car, and putting the syringes in his pocket.  He closed the cardoor
and took off on foot.  He'd have another car soon enough.

A few blocks further Pinkett stole a car from a garage.  The vehicle
stood around the back, ready to be maintained.  It was a Chevrolet.  He
liked Chevrolets.  His mother always drove on.  They took long trips in
that car before she got involved with that rat bastard.  Now he had one
just like her.  Maybe he'd keep it.  

He stopped at an overnight store and decided to go for black again.  He
bought another pair of sunglasses, a sweater and jeans, and a pair of
shoes.  He paid in cash.

By the time he left the city center again, it was 6 a.m.  He wondered if
anyone had found Mulder yet.


September 15, 5.45 a.m.
Alley behind the Marriot Hotel, Washington DC 

'Hey mister, are you okay ?' 

Mulder felt someone tugging the sleeve of his sweater, but he was too
far gone to respond.  He couldn't move his arms or legs.  He knew this
feeling.  When he was in the hospital, he felt the same way.  Like he'd
been drugged, unable to stop anyone from poking around his body, taking
his blood. 

He moaned and tried to get his arms and legs to move, but they wouldn't.
 He heard a few different voices.  Some male, some female.  They were
talking about him.  And something else. Something that had happened to
him just a few moments before.  He really wanted to get up now and
finish what he had started.  Someone knelt down beside him, checking on
him. 

'This guy is totally out of it,' the male voice said.

'Is he hurt ?  Do you see blood ?'

'Yeah, looks like he's been mugged or something.  No wait, I've got his
wallet.  Hey, he's a Fed.' 

A female voice responded.  'There are Feds all over the hotel right now.
 I heard the boss talk about it.  Some sort of protection program.  You
think he's one of them ?'

'Could be.  We'd better get some help, Angie.  He's in bad shape.'

'You stay with him.  I'll go.'

Mulder heard footsteps.  Then a third voice screamed something, and he
heard the footsteps walk away.  

'Oh my god,' the man said. 

'Is she dead ?'

'Yeah.' 

He heard convulsing noises, as if one of them puked his guts out.  Then
the footsteps returned.  He opened his eyes and tried to concentrate on
getting a move on.  
The man was next to him now, saying :'Hey, can you hear me ?  My
friend's getting help inside.  Just relax, you're gonna be okay.'

Mulder wanted to answer, but gave up as darkness and Demerol won their
toll again.  His last thought was with Scully.  She's gonna be so
pissed. 

Part VI : The little girl cried 

September 15, 6.05 a.m. 
Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel

Dana Scully had trouble concentrating as she opened her eyes after
hearing the repeated knocks on her door.  Finally she was out of bed,
quickly putting on a sweater over her T-shirt.  Skinner looked at her
rather seriously.  'Where's Mulder ?'


'He's asleep.'

He walked past her to Mulder's room.  As he opened the door and saw the
empty bed, he cursed.

'You'd better bring your medical bag, Scully.  They just found one of
ours in an alley outside the hotel.  The description fits Mulder.'

'What ?'  She put on her shoes and grabbed the bag standing next to the
small table.  As they rushed to the elevators, she said :'How can this
be ?  I gave him a sedative.  He should have been sound asleep.'

'Apparently he wasn't,' Skinner said.  'He probably went out for a jog. 
No one saw him.  He slipped past them.  Damn it !'

'We're not sure yet it's him,' she said confident, but her voice
betrayed her concern.  

There was a lot of turmoil in and around the kitchen.  As she forced
herself past the waiting agents in the alley, she immediately recognized
her partner's body on the cold ground.  A blanket was lying over him.  A
young man sat beside him, and looked at her as she knelt down. 
Weinstein was there too, sitting at Mulder's side.  

'This man found him,' he explained.  'He's alive but we weren't sure we
could move him.  He's bleeding.' 

'What happened ?'

Weinstein pointed at the white Chrysler.  'Pinkett, that's what
happened.' 

Scully's experienced fingers touched her partner's throat and found a
steady, firm heartbeat.  Her eyes strolled the area, picking up several
agents standing around a body on a blanket.  Then she noticed the
plastic piece in Mulder's cramped fingers.  On the cold concrete she saw
the shattered remains of a syringe. 

'My guess,' Weinstein continued, 'is that he went out for a jog and
caught Pinkett dumping the body here.'  

Scully touched her partner's torso, checking for injuries.  Supporting
his neck she said :'Turn him around.' 

His body was turned and laid on the blanket.  She held her breathe as
she saw the bruises on his jaw and underneath and above his right eye. 
He had fought well before he went down.  

'Why didn't Pinkett kill him ?' Weinstein asked.  'If it was him, why
did he let him live ?'

'Because he wasn't supposed to die now,' Davis responded.  Scully looked
up and saw Mulder's former boss standing next to Skinner.  'Do we need
an ambulance ?'

Scully lifted Mulder's eyelids and seemed happy with what she saw.  'No,
he'll freak out if he finds out.  He'll never go for it.  He's been
sedated.'  She pointed at the shattered fragments of glass.  'My guess
is with Demerol.  We'll have to bring him inside immediately.  He's
freezing.' 

She touched her partner's cold hands, taking the piece out of it,
putting it in her coat pocket.  His eyelids fluttered.   She bent over
him.  'Mulder, can you hear me ?  It's Scully.'

He looked at her and grinned goofy, forcing his hand up to her cheek,
patting it slightly.  'I'm seeing two of you,' he muttered.  'Hell, I
can't even handle one.'  

'You're in lala-land, Mulder,' she said, ignoring his remark.  'Was
Pinkett here ?  Did he drug you ?'

Mulder sighed.  'I don't know.  I wanna sleep.'  He tried to turn on his
side.  Scully stopped him.  He looked quite innocently in her eyes,
obviously not aware of the fact a dozen agents were standing around
them, including their boss.  'You shouldn't have resigned, Scully.  I
would have gone to hell to save you, you know that.'  He shivered. 
'It's freezing out here.  Are we back in the Antarctic ?'

'No, Mulder.'  She put her hand on his lips.  'Don't try to talk.  Just
let yourself go.  We'll take care of you.'

'It was worth it,' he sighed.  'I never knew it was her for a fact.  I
would have traded her at any time for you.  She wasn't my sister after
all.'

She blinked as tears sprung in her eyes.  This case was bringing back
all the Samantha-memories he had.  He closed his eyes sighing.  'I don't
wanna go to hospital,' he said.  'I hate hospitals.  They make you feel
like this.  I wanna get some sleep now, Scully.' 

He was out like a light before she could respond.  She looked up at
Skinner.  Her boss immediately took charge.  Mulder was pulled on his
feet, his arms tossed over the shoulders of two agents.  They dragged
him inside, into the warmth.  

'Are you sure he doesn't need a hospital, Scully ?' Skinner asked
worried.  'I've never seem him like this before.'

'He's sedated, sir.  They would only let him sleep it off.  I can take
care of the bruises on his face, he'll be fine.  I'll make sure he
doesn't get out of that bed today.'

'I'll have someone pick up the file and bring it here,' Davis said.  'As
soon as he wakes up, he'll wanna work on it.'

'With all due respect, sir,' Scully said angry, 'he's in no condition to
be working on any file right now.  You have enough profilers walking
around the VCS.  Give Mulder a break.'

'Those girls don't have the luxury of time, agent Scully.  And with
respect to you, I know Mulder a lot better than you think.  He'll want
to work on that file.  And you'd better work on that autopsy today.' 

'Yes, sir.' 

Davis turned around and walked outside.  Out there was the body of a
girl that had died the previous night.  Scully dreaded the thought of
seeing another young, dead body on the table.  Her hand reached in her
pocket and touched the plastic piece.  Then she quickly followed Skinner
to the elevators, to escort Mulder's unconscious body up to his room. 


September 15, 1.05 p.m.
Downtown Washington DC 

He drove across town in his new Chevrolet, guided by the information his
contact had given him.  He drove past guarded school yards and
playgrounds, past police vehicles and anonymous Federal cars. 
With Mulder's brain at rest for the moment, he might actually be able to
make this his easiest abduction ever.  He had received the call half an
hour ago, that Mulder was fine but still out of it.  Of course everybody
was waiting anxiously until he woke up to find out what happened in that
alley.  They could figure it out by themselves of course, but maybe
Mulder could tell them a vital detail that would help them.

And since Mulder was the expert-profiler on Pinkett, none of them
bothered to figure out things for themselves.  They only knew they had
to stakeout playgrounds and schools, and issue warnings to the
population of Washington DC that a serial killer was on the loose.

He knew where to pick his victim.  She hadn't gone to school today,
feeling a bit weary.  Her mother had decided to keep her at home, but
had to go to work herself.  Her older brother was at home though,
studying for some test.  He was 17 years old, disliking the fact he had
to take care of his kid-sister for the day.  

Around two they would make a quick stroll around the block, because he
had to go to the mall, to pick up some things he desperately needed.  He
would wrap her up tight, to make sure she wouldn't catch a cold.  Then
he would take her by the hand and walk with her the two blocks to the
mall.  There he would drop her off at the daycare-center.  Only for an
hour or so.  Her name was Valerie Mason.  

In his coat pocket he had a wallet with an ID that said :'Jack Mason.' 
He would use it to pick her up at the daycare-center, while her brother
was out picking up his urgent needs.  He would bring her out to the car,
and drug her there.  He would put her on the back seat and put a blanket
over her, and then take her to his own little private place.  He would
kill her around 6 p.m. and leave her body that same evening near the
mall.  They would find her there before nightfall. 

Oh, how he loved those little coincidences.  Her illness today made it
so much easier for him to get to her.  If she had gone to school, she
would have been escorted home.  He would have had to change his MO and
possibly kill her escort in order to get to her.  But he didn't like to
leave things messy.  He preferred them nice and clean. 

Around 1.30 p.m. he stopped at her house and looked at her through the
window, still seated behind the wheel.  She couldn't see him, and he
could hardly make out her.  Would she really be as sensual has he said,
even at this young age ?  He couldn't possibly imagine it, but the
thought of it was more than enough for him.  He enjoyed the thrill of
it.  Of her tears that would be shed before he kissed her softly on the
cheek and felt the life slip away from her.  How he would enjoy that.

Around 2 p.m. he was waiting at the mall.  He sat in his parked car and
watched the young man's old-timer pull up.  The girl was dressed like it
was winter.  She was sniffing and rubbing her hand against her nose. 
Poor thing, such a cold. 

He followed them as the brother brought her inside, and brought her to
the daycare-center.  He waited for a while, following the brother -
watching him as he was ignorant in the tragedy that would soon be at
hand.  Then he turned and walked to the daycare-center.

The young lady in charge was friendly and charming, smiling at him as he
produced his ID and said :'I'm Valerie's uncle.  Her brother didn't feel
too well and went to the car.  We agreed I'd be picking her up.'

'Oh, is he alright ?' she asked with genuine concern.

'Yeah, he's probably caught the bug she already has,' Pinkett responded
with his brightest smile.  'Let me get Valerie.' 

'Of course.'

He walked over to the young girl, sitting restlessly in a corner.  It
was obvious she felt like shit.  'Hey Valerie,' he said, kneeling down
next to her.  'My name is Jack and I'm here to bring you home.'

'Where's Danny ?' she asked.  'Mommy said he would take me home.'

'He's not feeling too well.  He's waiting for you in the car.  Why don't
we get you tucked up nice and warm and go see if he's feeling better ?'

She hesitated still, not knowing whether or not to trust this man, but
he pulled a piece of chocolate out of his pocket and handed it over to
her.  She loved chocolate.  She allowed him to put on her coat and
shawl, while her hands were already ripping up the paper around the
chocolate.  

'Bye now, Valerie,' the young woman said.  Valerie waved and grabbed the
hand of her 'uncle' as he accompanied her outside.  

'The car is over there, mister,' Valerie said, pointing at her brother's
old-timer. 

'I know,' he said, 'but mine is over here.  I just need to get
something, okay ?'

She waited patiently next to his car, suddenly realizing her brother
wasn't there.  As she wanted to step forward to go see where Danny was,
strong hands grabbed her from behind and jabbed something sharp in her
shoulder.  She didn't even have the time to scream anymore as darkness
overwhelmed her. 
Quickly Pinkett shoved her in the back and threw a blanket over her,
covering her body completely.  He got in and drove off sweating.  He
wasn't sure anyone had seen him this time, but he was nervous anyway. 
And anxious to bring her to his safehouse. 

September 15, 3.05 p.m.

Danny Mason started panicking when he didn't spot his kid-sister at the
daycare-center.  
'Have you seen my sister ?' he asked the woman in charge.  'Where's
Valerie ?'

'Your uncle picked her up just a little while ago,' the woman said
surprised.

'My uncle ?  I don't have an uncle.'

'I don't understand,' the woman replied.  'He had an ID, said you
weren't feeling well and went to the car.  She didn't say anything to
me.'

'Jesus Christ.'  
Danny rushed outside and ran to his car.  She wasn't there.  She wasn't
in sight.  He turned around and shouted her name.  But she didn't
respond.  And as he walked back inside the mall to look into the deadly
pale face of the young woman, he knew he had lost his sister forever. 


Washington DC, September 30, 1990
Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis
Additional Notes on September 15, 1998 by Special Agent Dana Scully
Current assignment : Violent Crime Section.

'You killed Valerie Malone on September 15, Robert.  Tell us about it.'

'She was one piece of character, that Valerie.'  
(laughter)
'The moment I had my hands on her, she was already pleading for me to
just do whatever I wanted and then disappear for good.  She wouldn't say
a word to anyone, wouldn't even tell the world what I had done to her.' 

'Why did you pick her out ?'

'She was like my mother.  Spread her legs just for the fun of it.  I
took my time selecting her.  Do you know she had done five guys in just
as many weeks ?  She was a natural whore, that one.  Sex as she walked,
sex as she talked, sex in everything she did.  She needed to be
punished.  And yeah, she even looked and walked and talked like mother. 
She had it coming.'

'How did you get her ?'

'She was watching her little sister at the Counterside Playground.  She
had a kid sister, you see.  Was about nine years old, I suppose.  Cute
little girl.  Will probably turn out just like Valerie.  Valerie enjoyed
being at the playground, you know.  She had some guy there, whom she'd
met a couple of weeks ago.  She told me about him, as she pleaded for me
to let her go.  They'd see each other there, and then she'd go to the
ladies' room and he'd follow her as soon as no one else was there.  And
they'd do it right there, on one of those seats.  She was eager, that
one.' 

'Did you know about the playground then ?'

'Oh yeah.  She brought her sister there every day of the week, for an
hour or so.  Then, when she'd have enough, she'd walk her sister home.'

'How did you get her hands on her alone ?'

'By coincidence.  I was afraid I'd have to kill the sister too, but she
stayed home that day.  I suppose she was sick or something, I really
don't care.  I waited at the playground watching her watching me.  She
loved to watch me, you know.  I'd been there a couple of times before,
and she had set her mind on me.  I guess she was into older men.  Older,
younger, it really didn't matter to her, as long as they had the right
equipment between their legs.  I saw her walk over to me, and she
started talking.  'Hey,' she said.  'I've noticed you around a couple of
times.  You from Richmond ?'
'No, Washington,' I said.  She was interested immediately of course. 
Sex with a complete stranger is something appealing to a lot of people. 
We talked for quite a bit and her boyfriend arrived.  'Why don't you do
him first and then come back for me ?' I asked her.  She flushed, was
surprised I knew all about it, and it really turned her on.  She left
for the ladies' room and a couple of minutes later he came after her. 
She returned quicker than other times, and sat down next to me again. 
Her boyfriend left.  I invited her to walk over to my car and make out
there.  I knew this spot.  Since she was alone this time, she didn't
have her sister to deal with.  'Sure,' she said.  'As long as you get me
home in time for dinner.' 
We drove off.  She strapped in the front seat, and I left.  When we were
far from the playground, my left hand took out a syringe waiting for her
and jabbed it in her upper arm.  She looked at me surprised as if she
couldn't decide whether or not to yell.  Then she slumped back next to
me, and I laid her with her face against the window, as if she was
sleeping.  Thus we drove through town, and when I left the city center,
I stopped at a quiet, abandoned spot and tied her up, putting her in the
trunk.  I drove off with her, and brought her to the warehouse.'

'What happened next ?'

'She was already awake when I opened the trunk of the car.  I had
expected her to be asleep for a couple of hours more at least.  She had
forced her tongue between the tape, trying to pull it from her lips. 
She was able to talk when I lifted her out of the truck.

'Look,' she said.  'You don't have to rape me.  I was already planning
on having sex with you.  In my purse are condoms.  At least make it
safe.'

'I'm not interested in having sex with you,' I said.  'I just want to
kill you.'  You should have seen the panic in her eyes ! She changed
immediately, eager to give her young body to me.  I turned from her,
knowing that it would be so easy to give in.  But everything in her
reminded me of what my mother had done to us, and I refused to listen to
her pleading.  I put a new piece of tape over her mouth and brought her
body close to mine.  As I killed her, I saw the fear as it had been in
the eyes of the others as well.  It was my best kill.  Except for Joanna
of course.'

'What did you do with the body ?'

'I had heard on the radio the cops had found the bodies of the other two
by now, so I decided to make it easier on them.  I brought her close to
her parent's home, dropping the body off just two blocks away from them.
 I knew they would find her there.  Or the FBI.  Since they were roaming
the town to find me, it couldn't be so difficult for them to track her
down.' 


September 15, 1998 - 4.15 p.m.
Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel

Scully turned off the tape when she heard a moan coming from Mulder's
bedroom.  In an instant she sat next to his bed, and watched him
struggle to wake up.

'How are you feeling ?' she said, giving him a glass of water.

'Like shit.'  She took the glass from him and watched him touch his
bruised face.  'I feel like a bulldozer ran over me and squashed my nose
in the process.' 

She smiled.  

'What time is it ?'

'Past four p.m.  You were out like a light.  I swear, Mulder, you've
never so good as long as I've known you.  I should stick a needle in
your butt more often.' 

Mulder grinned.

Scully's voice turned serious again when she continued to look at him. 
'Mulder, we need to talk.  I want you to take a shower and freshen up a
bit.  There are clothes waiting for you.  Schreiber went to your
apartment and brought everything you need.'

'You sound serious.'  
He pulled aside the sheets and looked at his sweats, remembering the
events of the morning.  
'For an insomniac I sleep awfully well, don't I ?' he grinned, ignoring
the throbbing headache that made him feel sore and bruised. 

'No wonder after the amount of Demerol Pinkett gave you.  Not to mention
the sedative you managed to succumb this morning.'

He closed the bathroom door.  She could hear him open the tap and
returned to her notes, reading her own thoughts on the matter.  She
would be the one telling Mulder Pinkett had already taken his next
victim and was probably killing her by now.  She sighed.  The search for
possible buildings had come up empty so far.  The autopsy on the girl
had shown only that Pinkett was a sick bastard.  There was nothing to go
on, nothing to do to save this girl's life.  Except try and prevent this
man from taking yet another victim. 

About ten minutes later Mulder returned from the bathroom, dressed in
jeans and a black turtleneck sweater.  He sat down beside her, looking
at her notes.  'Not a pleasant task, is it ?' he sighed as he rubbed his
eyes.

'Mulder, you are exhausted,' she said.  'You're not fit for duty and you
know it.  I don't mean to sound like a broken record here, but I think
you need to talk to someone.  You can't deal with his anger and rage
alone.'

'I've got you to talk to, Scully.'  He pulled away his hands and looked
at her.  'I don't need anyone else.'

'Mulder, as flattered as I am, I cannot help you like you want me to on
this.  I have to sit back and watch you struggle against the abyss you
yourself said you want to avoid.  I don't know what I can do for you
except be here and pick up the pieces.  You're going to kill yourself in
the process of nailing this guy.  That isn't what you want. It's not
you.'

He looked at her, remembering that one moment when he had sat in his
living room with a gun ready to be aimed at his own head. And then
Kritschgau had called him and things had turned out totally different.
But what if Kritschgau hadn't made that call ?  He had never wanted to
think about it before, but now he knew for a fact that he would have
pulled that trigger on himself.  And Scully would have been forced to
testify in front of the committee of his suicide.  And he wouldn't have
dragged her further down with him anymore.  And she would have been dead
by now, deceased by the effects of her disease. 

'What do you want me to do then ?' His voice sounded young as he looked
at her, asking her for a solution.

'I want you to talk to someone inside the Bureau about this.  Perhaps
they can help you get through this.'

'I don't have the time for this now, Scully.  I've already lost a day. 
Pinkett made sure of that.'

'Mulder, he's got another girl.'

Mulder stopped in the middle of a yawn and looked at her.  'Who ?'

'Valerie Mason.  She was taken from a daycare-center of a mall.  Her
brother was shopping and had left her there.  When he got back, she was
gone.  He had an ID with the name Jack Mason on it.  He claimed to be
her uncle and she went with him.'

'And of course no one saw anything ?'

'No.  All the woman could say is that his hair was black again.  She
hardly watches the news, she said.  She didn't know he was a wanted
serial killer.  The brother of the little girl is freaking out of
course.  Skinner is at his place right now, trying to interrogate him.'

'And Davis ?'

'He's back at the Bureau, trying to figure out what his next move can
be.  But he's been calling here every other hour to see if you're fit
for duty.  He wants you to go to the mall and try to figure out what has
happened.  He says you need to 'succumb' to the wishes and desires of
Pinkett.' 

'I had him this morning, Scully.'  Mulder got off his chair and walked
to the window.  'We fought.  He stuck a needle in my shoulder.  I can't
remember what has happened - There was a body.'  He turned towards her. 
'Did you find the piece ?'

'Yes.'  Scully grabbed her coat and pulled it out, handing it over to
him.  'I think this morning's events were a sign towards you, Mulder. 
Pinkett knows where you are, and what you are planning.  I think you
were right.  Someone on the inside, someone staying here at this hotel,
is informing him.  Feeding him information and helping him.  Someone
that knew the moves from that family.'  

She got up and walked over to him.  'Mulder, early this morning Mrs.
Mason got a call from an FBI-agent.  He used a fake name of course, but
asked her if it was true her youngest daughter was sick and had to stay
from school.  Apparently that same person contacted the school first and
checked if Valerie was there.  If she had been there, and had been
escorted home, her escort would have been murdered in an attempt to get
to her.  Just like Valerie Malone's younger sister would have been
murdered had she not been ill that day.  He is repeating his past but
using minor differences.  We cannot foresee those differences.' 

'Unless I 'succumb' to his wishes and desires,' Mulder sighed.  'Let's
go, Scully.  I want to check out that mall.' 

He put on his coat and looked at her.  'If it makes you better, I will
see someone as soon as this is over. But we still have five days to go
and a lack of time to save those girls.'

'I can live with that.' 

He smiled and opened the door to his room.  As they left the hotel, Dan
Schreiber caught up with them and silently joined them, offering them to
drive. 


September 15, 6.15 p.m. 
Washington DC, Maddalena Street 

The girl was dead.  Her blood was still on his hands as he laid her body
on the blanket.  She had not been a disappointment.  Screaming, crying,
pleading for her life.  

'The Little Girl Cried,' he said, murmuring the song 'Tears run rings'. 
He sighed as he started to clean up the mess.  Three down, five more to
go, he thought as he pulled the blanket over her dead face and stuffed
her in the back of the car.  'And how I enjoy it all.'

He didn't take the time to sit back and enjoy the thrill of the moment. 
He wanted to get rid of her body as soon as possible.  After all, what
was the fun in killing someone when the body remained invisible to the
audience ? 

He took off in his car, and drove to the corner of 7th and Lanes.  He
had just the spot to leave her at. 


September 15, 6.45 p.m. 
Washington DC, Fielding Shopping Center 

Special Agent Fox Mulder had always had a bit of reputation within the
Bureau.  The ones who didn't know him, were told stories about Spooky
Mulder who spent his time proving to the outside world aliens existed
and were soon to take over the world.  They had stories about that
partner of is, sitting in the basement office with him, ready to defend
him at all times, even though she didn't believe in the paranormal
herself.
  
The ones who did know him also told amazing stories about his profiling
skills and abilities to nail a serial killer just by gathering the
pieces and toying with them until he found out what was going on.  He
was responsible for the capture of Monty Props in '89, of John Lee Roche
in '90, and Robert Pinkett, also in '90.  Word got around SC Davis was
milking for all he was worth, forcing his brilliant, photographic mind
to capture the minor details of every crime scene and murder.  
He saw pieces of the action others could not see.  And Davis used
whatever he could to get him going.  Because when he went for it, and
started working on a case, he was so full of that case he would not let
go until he found out exactly what he needed to know.  He was an
insomniac, they'd say.  Spent most of nights watching TV, having that
electronic device as a tool to fall asleep eventually and to wake up in
the morning.  He played basketball rather well, but never used those
skills in professional sports because he was too short.  He had some
geeky friends whom he'd met while working on a case in '89.  Some said
these friends were the ones pushing him to go work on the X-Files.  And
of course Diane Fowley, another brilliant FBI-mind had something to do
with it.

They said he's without a girlfriend because from the moment he started
working for the Bureau, he'd put in more hours than two Field Agents
together.  

They'd said back in '90 big things were planned for him.  Davis was
proud of him, bragging about him at the Top Executives Branch, getting
everyone to know his name and to foresee his future.  

And then there was that big fallout, around January '91 in Davis'
office.  No one ever really found out what was said in that office, but
they all knew it was bad.  Mulder had left the office angry and
frustrated and above all, over-exhausted.  They all feared for him back
then, that he would give in to the fear and end it all right then.  He
was - after all - a man with a lot of personal problems.  Reggie Purdue
went after him, but could not keep him from his plans to transfer.  

He talked to SC Blevins, requesting the man a transfer to work for AD
Skinner.  He had requested to work for a department hardly anyone knew
about.  It had to do with unsolved files.  People's ramblings about
abductions by aliens.  Blevins had refused at the time, until he'd
gotten a phonecall from Senator Matheson, up on the hill.  Matheson told
Blevins in a few words to give the boy what he wanted.  And Mulder got
what he wanted.  

Slowly he started to recuperate from his years at the VCS.  He was able
to restore a bit of his health, both physically and mentally.  He
started to sleep more, eat more, and live again.  He had a few
girlfriends at the time, but no one really knew them.  They all figured
he would stay with Diane.  But she left for Europe, and he stayed
behind. 

They all figured he would soon return to the VCS, requesting those
X-Files on a wimp.  But he didn't.  Next thing they heard were reports
on mutants and aliens, strange diseases and alien abductions.  Skinner
read all of those reports and approved of them.  Hell, the prove was
even there.  Everyone saw the photos of that strange creature Mulder dug
up from the sewage system.  And the naked woman strolling around the
forest in New Jersey.  

They heard heated conversations between Skinner and Davis.  Davis was
sick and tired of these stories, knowing that by every report Mulder
filed, the chances of his return were getting slim.  At the end Davis
had to succumb to the fact Mulder wasn't returning. 

The story of Roche's death only confirmed this.  They said Mulder had a
dream leading him to the body of a dead girl, murdered by Roche.  He
lead him to another body.  And one girl stayed missing because Roche had
died.  He had gotten out of jail somehow and had abducted another girl,
ready to kill her.  But Mulder had found him in time, going on a hunch. 
That hunch had saved the girl's life. 

Now, what Davis wanted to do, was abuse those hunches and get Mulder to
track Pinkett down, as he 
had done before.  But they all knew the real reasons behind Davis'
motivations.  He just wanted to work with Mulder again. 

They had all seen Mulder's reactions and moves during the past couple of
days.  Already he was falling apart.  Who wouldn't when Pinkett called
him to let him witness the murder of a young girl ?  He seemed to
crumble every day, turning back into that eager, ambitious young
FBI-agent that would go to any lengths to achieve his goal.  Maybe Davis
was finally winning.  For every time Mulder turned paler and more
stressed out, Davis knew he was doing what came natural to him.  To go
into someone's head and to get out what was in it. 

The car pulling up at the mall that evening was driven by Special Agent
Dan Schreiber who waited patiently until his colleagues Mulder and
Scully got out.  The boys at the VCS were surprised and shocked to see
Mulder's appearance.  He seemed fatigued, stressed out, withdrawn.  He
hardly reacted when his partner showed him the way inside the mall.  It
was obvious this guy was hurting. 

'I wonder if old Davis knows what he's doing to him,' Dennis Black said
to his partner.  'The boy shouldn't be here.'

'You feeling sorry for Old Spooky ?' Sam Winters responded.

'Yeah, aren't you ?'

'I wouldn't want a serial killer talking to me on the phone either,'
Winters agreed.  'But Spooky can handle it.  After all, he did go to the
end of the world to fetch his partner, didn't he ?'

'Perhaps that's what's breaking him right now.'  Black followed the
agents until they went inside.  'I can't imagine going inside someone's
head like him though.'

'Davis says he's a natural.  What would it take to become a natural ?'

'Beats me.  I don't want it.' Dennis Black shivered.  'I'd rather be
stuck with tracking down telephone numbers and credit-card listings all
day than to do what he's doing right now.' 

'Do you think he'll catch him ?'

'Oh yeah.  I have no doubt.'

'What makes you so sure ?' Winters asked curiously.

'I dunno.  I don't really know Spooky all that well.  But I do have
respect for the guy.  He's alright.'

'What, are you saying he's right about his claims about alien life ?'

'Of course he is.'  Black grinned.  'We all know it's out there,
Winters.  Don't you watch Star Trek ?'

'Nah.  I gave up when they started with DS9.'

Black laughed and followed the agents inside. 


September 15, 6.55 p.m. 
Washington DC, Fielding Shopping Center

Mulder knelt near the bench the girl had been seated and touched it with
the palm of his hand.  He closed his eyes.  The image of Samantha
appeared in his mind's eye. 

'Do we have to watch this Fox ?'
'Leave it.  The Magician's at nine.  Hey ! Get out of my life !'
'Fox !' 

Hands grabbed her and pulled her away from him.  He grabbed her and
pulled her against his body.  A sharp blow to his head made him fall
backwards.  And her eyes were open in surprise as the bullet hit the
back of her head. 
 
A hand touched his shoulder.  'No !' He stumbled backwards, trying to
free himself from the grip.  Sweat poured down his face.  His eyes were
large and dilated.  

'Mulder, calm down.'   He heard his partner's voice but she didn't get
through to him.  He moved away from her, and closed his eyes again,
trying to picture Pinkett as he took the girl away.  

'He handed her something, Scully.  To make her quiet.  Some candy,
chocolate maybe.'  

'They found a wrapper on the floor.  The young woman said something
about the girl holding in her hand.' 

'He told her a lie.  That her brother was sick and waiting outside in
the car.'  Mulder got on his feet and walked slowly outside, mimicking
the pace Pinkett had taken.  He rushed to an empty parking space, a few
yards from Danny Mason's car.  It was still standing there.  
'She was surprised,' Mulder said.  'She didn't see it coming.  He wasn't
happy she didn't struggle harder or plead with him.  He'd expected her
to be like Valerie Malone, but she wasn't.' 

'Did she offer herself to keep him from killing her ?' Scully asked
softly.

'No.'  Mulder shook his head firmly.  'She was only eight years old. 
She doesn't know about those things yet.  She's just a little girl.'  He
looked over her.  'She's already returned by now.  He didn't keep
Valerie Malone long either.  He wanted to get rid of her quickly because
she was dirty, like his mother.  He wants to get rid of this girl soon
too.  Perhaps near here.' 

Mulder walked to the side of the parkinglot and looked around.  'He's
got his special place around here somewhere.  He had it picked out, just
like he chose this mall.  He loved to come here when he was younger,
with her - his mother.  It's an old mall.'

He turned towards Scully.  'You need to search this area.  She might be
around here.  You've got to find her quick, Scully.  He's already
figuring out the next girl.  He'll take her in a swimming-pool. 
Somewhere late tomorrow night.'  Mulder's voice sounded frantic now. 
'He'll go after a girl named Sophie.  She swims every week, the same
time, the same place.  She's with a bunch of kids, they all think
they're safe.  You've got to find her, Scully.'

'We will, Mulder,' she said softly, trying to calm him down.  She knew
others were watching the scene develop, in amazement for Mulder's
actions and words.  'It's okay, just relax.  You'll be fine in a
minute.'

He turned towards her.  'We've got to go to the Bureau.  I want to
listen to the other tape now.  They're might be something we're missing.
 He'll have that girl by morning if we don't do anything tonight.'

'The tapes are at the hotel, Mulder.  We'll go back there.'

'No, not yet.  We've got to see Danny first. The girl's brother.'

Scully looked at him surprised.  She hadn't told him the boy's name, or
had she ?  Somehow, in the back of his mind, he had found the name the
boy listened to.  

'Okay, Mulder,' she said.  'We'll go see Danny.' 

He walked past her anxiously to the car.  She knew he wasn't seeing
anything except the darkness Pinkett had chosen freely.  Damn you,
Davis, she cursed in silence, as she walked beside him.  Schreiber was
already waiting for them to leave.  The mall was still swarmed with
agents and cops. 
'Get in the car, Mulder,' she said.  'I'll be right back.'

He looked at her as if he didn't want her to leave.  Through the
windshield he watched go over to Davis and talk to him for a bit. 
Immediately the party got divided.  Mulder knew they would start looking
for the girl in the area, following his lead.  They would find her soon.
  Mulder sighed and looked at Schreiber looking at him. 


September 15, 7.45 p.m. 
Washington DC, Mason Residence

Looking at Danny Mason was looking at a mirror image of himself.  The
boy could have been him.  He was a wreck.  They had him seated in the
living room.  His mother was busy trying to calm him down, but to no
avail.  He hardly listened to her.  Mulder knew he would never forgive
himself for this one.

Skinner welcomed the agents as they arrived at the house, checking out
Mulder.  He didn't like the way his agent reacted to his questions, but
let him sit down opposing the boy.

'Hey Danny,' Mulder said.  'My name is Mulder.  Mr. Skinner over there
is my boss, so don't make me look bad, okay ?'

Danny showed the first signs of a smile which quickly disappeared.  

'I've heard about what happened to your sister.  Can you tell us
anything about what you saw this afternoon ?'

Danny seemed to calm down listening to Mulder's controlled, calm voice. 
'I took her to the mall.  She was sick, but I talked to mom about it.  I
had to have some stuff for college today, you know.  I was studying for
a test.  So we went to the mall and I left her at the daycare-center.  I
told the woman in charge I'd be back in an hour.' 

'Did you notice anyone looking at you ?  Perhaps someone you saw earlier
today - a stranger, some guy you didn't know ?'

'I don't know.  There was one guy - he seemed to walk after me in the
mall.  Went into stores I walked into.  I turned around at one time and
he was looking at me.  Then I looked again and he was gone.'

'Can you describe him to us ?'

'In his forties I think.  Kind of attractive I suppose.  He looked like
you, only you're a lot younger.  He was as tall as you, you know.  Firm
build.  Black hair.  I remember thinking it must have been dyed, it
seemed unnatural black.  He had strange blue eyes.  Wore a jacket and
jeans.'

'Alright.  Was there anything else you might have noticed ?'

Danny sighed, suddenly looking up.  'The car.  I think I saw him in his
car before we went inside the mall.  It was a Chevy.  I'm into cars, you
see.  I bought mine to drive around with Val ..' He suddenly stopped. 
'She's dead, isn't she ?'

'What makes you say that ?' Scully said, sitting down next to him.

'I don't know.  I have this feeling you know.  When she was around, I
always felt it.  I - she was my kid-sister you know.  We had a fight
occasionally, but I loved her.  And I feel it.  Something's missing. 
She's gone.'  Danny felt the tears stream out of his eyes.  He couldn't
control them anymore.  

Scully pulled him towards her and comforted him.  Mulder watched her do
it.  She had changed.  He didn't want to admit it at first but something
was different.  Over Danny's shoulder she looked at Mulder and they both
knew she was actually comforting him.

Less than an hour later the phonecall came, bringing the news they had
found Valerie Mason's body.  She was found on the doorstep of a church,
still wrapped in the blanket that had caught most of her blood when she
died.  A third red piece of the Stratego-game lay cramped between her
fingers. 

Part VII : Speedos and Swimming Pools 

Washington DC, September 30, 1990
Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis
September 16, 1998 - Additional notes by Special Agent Fox Mulder. 
Current assignment : VCS

'You killed Sophie Farley on September 16.  Is that correct, Robert ?'

'Yes.'  (sigh) 

'Why the sigh, Robert ?'

'I didn't mean for it to happen so fast after Valerie.  I enjoyed
Valerie, you know.  But there was something inside of me telling me I
had to go through it with as soon as I could.  I guess - looking back at
it - I knew that you were on to me.  I had the feeling I was being
watched even though at that time that was highly implausible.  After
all, if you had found me and tracked me down, you would have stopped me
back then, wouldn't you ?'

'Yes, we would have.'

'Anyway, Sophie.  I decided that I enjoyed finding girls in public
places.  I got a kick out of taking them there, knowing I could be
caught at any time, any place.  So I made a scheme you know, as to where
I would track down the rest of them.'

'And you ended up at a swimming-pool ?'

'Yes.  I can't swim, but I enjoyed watching others do it.  So I decided
to go take a swim in the Grover's Swimming-pool.  And that's where I
found her.'

'When did you first see her ?'

'Two days before I killed her, before I took Amy.  I was after all
making plans all the time for my future victims.  She had a firm build,
like she swam a lot.  I found out that same day she was a swimming
champion.  I knew she had to practice daily.  So I took her after
Valerie.'

'How did you go about it ?'

'I abducted her within the compounds of the pool.  I knew she practiced
until late - around 9 p.m. and always left last.  Except for her there
was only the janitor, and if necessary I would have killed him.  I was
watching her as she went into the girl's showers, and I waited until she
got changed.  Then, as she walked out of the building and started to
make her way home, I jabbed the needle in her shoulder and watched her
slide in my arms.  I stuffed her in the trunk of my car, and drove off. 
She was the easiest one I took.  And I called her quite instantly too. 
She was barely conscious when I killed her.  I didn't want her to beg
for mercy.  I got fed up with that by now.  And then I left her body
outside the pool.  After all, I figured no one would be looking for her
yet, especially not there.  The janitor had watched her leave.  They
would think she got missing on her way home.  They would find her where
I took her.' 

'Did you feel remorse ?'

'No.' 
(laughter)
'Do I ever ?' 


September 16, 8.45 a.m. 
Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS

Mulder was already sitting at his desk for more than two hours before
Scully joined him.  He had persuaded Dan Schreiber to drop him off at
the Bureau this early, in order to get some work then.  He looked at his
notes, adding more all the time. 

'Do you think he's going to find a girl at a swimming-pool next ?'

'Yeah, I'm pretty sure.'

'Where ?'

'I don't know.'  
Mulder looked up at Schreiber, wondering when the man had gotten a
tongue to speak with.  It was like a pet that all of a sudden started to
talk.  Schreiber returned to his desk and started typing fervently at
his computer.  Despite the fact that Mulder liked this man, he didn't
trust him either.  He didn't trust anyone at this moment, except for his
partner and his boss. 

'I've got the first pathology results on Valerie Mason,' she said,
dropping a file on Mulder's desk.  'The same as all the others.  Nothing
ever changes, Mulder.  We don't get anywhere with these.'

'Scully, sit down.'

She took a seat beside him and watched him as he took out a map of
Washington.  'If Pinkett is going to strike at a swimming-pool today, my
guess is he's going for the biggest of all.  The Olympic Pool.'

'That's the same one you go to, Mulder.'

'I know.  I haven't had time to swim much lately, but I might take up
the habit again.'

'Why there ?'

'He knows I used to go there all the time.  And he wants attention.  So
he goes for the one spot he knows he might bump into me.  And the one
spot visited by several Federal Agents.  If he likes risks, he'll go
there.'

She leaned over to him.  'You're not going to tell the others, are you
?'

'No.  If I do, they'll be all over the place.  Just you, me and
Skinner.'

'Mulder, there's no way we can check the entire place by ourselves.  The
risk is too big.  And he might 
not even go there.'

'I'm pretty sure he'll be there tonight. He took Sophie Farley at night,
around 9.  She was a professional swimming, on her way to reach the top.
 He'll go for another one like her, someone with enough talent to stun
them all.  I've been checking it out, Scully.  Every night at 7 p.m. a
group of young swimmers are being trained at the Olympic Pool.  I've
called the trainer and gotten a list.  One of the girls is called Sophie
Jones.  She's on her way to reach the top.  He's after her.' 

'Then we have to make sure she won't be there tonight.'

'She has to be there.  He'll wait for her.  And we'll be waiting for
him.' 

'Skinner will never go through with it.' 

'We have to.  If we tell the others, the place will be swarming with
Feds.  He'll notice and be out of here to get some other girl.  I'm
going to tell Davis he'll be at one of the pools in town.  I'll have
them check out everything.  But the Olympic Pool is ours.  Skinner can
some backup, but only people he knows and trusts.  I don't trust anyone
at this point.'

'Let's go see Skinner then.' 

As they left the VCS, Scully had the feeling everyone was watching them.
 All of a sudden she could feel Mulder's paranoia.


September 16, 9.15 a.m. 
Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS

Scully was right, Skinner didn't go for it. 

'Look, sir,' Mulder said firmly.  'If we show up there with every man we
have, he'll be out of there in no time.  He doesn't know you.  At least
I hope he doesn't.  What if the trainer is temporarily replaced ?'

'You want me to show up there and train those girls ?'

'Yes, sir.  Scully nor I can do it.  He'll know both of us.  But Scully
is going to be there too, watching every move that girl makes.  As am I.
 And I'll make damn sure he won't know about it.'

'By not telling the others.'

'Yes, sir. You are going to spread the rumor that I broke down and
returned with you and agent Scully to the hotel.  But we won't be
there.'

'Sounds like a plan to me,' Skinner said.  'But he'd better show up
there, Mulder.  I don't take my speedos out the closet for anyone else.'

'I'd stake my life on it, sir.'


September 16, 2 p.m. 
Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation

He was fairly sure now they were on to him.  He could feel the heat as
he walked through the building.  He had been so stupid.  So goddamn
stupid to get involved with a guy like Pinkett.  But there was no
turning back now.  He had made his decision to go along with it. 
Pinkett had promised him that it would all stop this weekend.  The 20th
it would all be over.

He walked into Davis' office and looked at the other agents present. 
Mulder had come up with something.  He was sure of it.  He could see it
in the agent's eyes.  They betrayed the truth even though he was quiet
about it.

The room was filled with people.  Davis looked at every single one of
them.  Weinstein, Schreiber, Williamson, Black, AD Skinner and his
proteges, Mulder and Scully.  Her look was still one of hatred and
anger towards him, but he liked her in a way.  He could see why Mulder
was so fond of her.  Her sanity and persistence were what kept him
going.  He had seen it in their cooperation together.  The way she took
care of him when he didn't even know he needed her care.  Was there
something more going on ?  No, not yet.  Maybe some day. 

'Mulder is convinced Pinkett will strike tonight in a swimming-pool,'
Davis said.  'For those of you who don't know, on September 16, 1990, he
abducted and murdered Sophie Farley in one of the town's swimming pools.
 Agent Mulder has requested a list with potential victims that regularly
visit these pools.  A list with these names will be distributed by AD
Skinner.  You will be in charge of the search of Robert Pinkett and
protection of each of these girls at various pools.' 

Skinner handed out lists.  'This one we can't let go,' Davis said. 
'Pinkett has already murdered three girls.  We have to stop him today. 
That's all.'

The party split up.  Mulder, Scully and Skinner stayed behind in Davis'
office.  Mulder knew immediately that Skinner had told Davis, thus
confirming his trust in his fellow colleague. 

'I'm not sure this plan of yours will work, Mulder,' he said, 'but I
have faith in it.  I'll be joining you folks tonight.'

'Sir, I'm not so sure this is a good idea,' Scully said.  'Pinkett knows
you.  You were the one interviewing him eight years ago.'

'I  know,' Davis said.  'But I'll be watching Mulder's back since he
won't be watching it himself.  Don't worry, Scully.  We'll catch him
tonight, I guarantee.'

Scully nodded.  'Yes, sir.'


September 16, 7.45 p.m. 
Olympic Pool, Washington DC

He entered the building through the back door.  He had been given a key
with the latest envelope of goodies in the mailbox this morning.  He
knew it would be a perfect match.  

His informant had told him something was up.  He hadn't been able to
find out what it was, but something bugged him.  Pinkett instinctively
knew Mulder would be here, waiting for him.  It only made the game more
pleasant. 

With the gun safely in his coat pocket, he walked through the quiet
dressing rooms, until he arrived at the pool.  The group of young
swimmers were hard at work, trying to become the best of them all.  He
spotted her immediately.  The young girl with black hair and hazel eyes,
bearing the resemblance with Samantha.  As always he felt excitement as
he watched her swim.  Their trainer was a firm-built guy who barked his
instructions as they swam.  They would be finished soon.  He would
follow the girl as she left the building and grab her outside. 

The instructor soon told them to call it a night.  The girls left for
the showers.  He watched them as the last one classed the door to the
dressing room.  He turned and saw the instructor look at him.  He turned
and walked back towards the pool, thoughtfully looking at the blue
water.  Another few minutes and the girl would be his.

'Don't turn around.  Keep your hands in the air where I can see them.' 

Pinkett didn't have any trouble recognizing Mulder's voice.  He put his
hands in the air.  'Did you get a good night's sleep, Mulder ?' 

The instructor reappeared.  His hands carried a gun, pointing at
Pinkett.

'Let me introduce you to my current Supervisor, Pinkett.  Meet
Assistant-Director Walter Skinner.'

'Moonlighting, Mr. Skinner ?'  

Skinner approached him and pulled the gun out of his coat pocket.  'You
could call it that.  You're not getting the girl tonight, Pinkett.' 

'I'm sure I won't.' 

Mulder pulled back his hands and cuffed them, turning the man towards
him.  

'I guess you won, Mulder.' 

'I guess I did.' 

Davis entered the room, looking at them.  'Well well, Section Chief
Davis.  Long time no see.  Did you come to interview me again ?'

'I'll keep that pleasure for agent Mulder, Mr. Pinkett.' 

A woman came out with the girls, still dressed in bathing suits.  He
recognized her from the photos he had seen about her.  'Agent Scully, I
presume.  It's nice to finally meet you in person.' 

'Call it in,' Mulder said.  'We've got him.'

Scully laid her hand on Sophie Jones' shoulder.  'Your mother is here to
pick you up, honey.  You'll be safe now.' 

Pinkett smiled as he sat down on the bench, looking firmly into Mulder's
eyes.  'You're not happy to have caught me, are you ?'

Mulder couldn't describe his feelings as he watched Pinkett sitting on
that bench.  The man didn't look like a killer, let alone act like one. 
He just sat there taking it all.  And Mulder couldn't figure it all out
anymore.  His mind didn't work anymore.  Numb he sat down on the bench
beside him, and didn't say a word.  All strength just left him. 

'I suppose it's gonna be a while before you take another swim here, hey
Mulder ?'  Pinkett said with a smile on his face.  'Too bad about the
girl though.  She'll make a hell of a swimmer one day.  Maybe I'll come
back here one day, to watch her do it.  Then she can swim for me.' 

'Don't count on it,' Skinner said angry. 

Within ten minutes the others were there.  When the call came in,
several Federal Agents arrived to see the man that had caused so much
trouble. 

'Williamson and Schreiber will escort Pinkett to the Federal County Jail
where he will be interrogated in the morning,' Davis said.  'Squad cars
will join them for the ride.  Make sure all the girls get home safe too.
 He won't get away this time.  Mulder, Scully, good job.  I'll expect a
report from you in the morning.'

'Yes, sir,' Scully said. 

Mulder watched Pinkett being taken away and couldn't find joy in it. 
His gut instinct told him it wasn't over yet.  


September 16, 8.56 p.m. 
Somewhere between the Olympic Pool and the Federal County Jail

Williamson actually found it easy to relax in the front seat of
Schreiber's car, knowing the town's worst threat was sitting behind him.


'Don't you feel good now it's over, Dan ?' He asked his driver.  'Mulder
knew exactly what he was doing, didn't he ?'

Schreiber looked at the squad car in front of him, and at the one in the
back.  'Yeah,' he said.  'Mulder knew it all.'

He turned to the left, leaving the front car's directions.  'Hey, where
are you going, Dan ?' Williamson asked surprised.  Dan looked aside.  'I
wish you weren't in this car,' he said calmly.  'Then all of this
wouldn't have been necessary.'  

Williamson stared at his partner's right hand.  It was the last thing
he'd ever see before the gun between his fingers pulled the trigger and
killed him with one shot.  William slumped against the window. 
Schreiber threw the keys of the cuffs in the back and said :'Hurry up. 
They're noticing something.'  The car behind them was driving closer
behind them now.  

'Thanks buddy,' Pinkett said. 

'Yeah well, just don't forget everything I've done for you.  You're on
your own now, Pinkett.  I just blew my cover.'
'I'll manage.' 

Dan threw him his gun.  'Here, you might need it.'

Pinkett grinned.  'I knew I could count on you.  Get the hell out of
here when I'm gone.'

Dan took a quick turn to the left, basically driving in one of the
smallest alleys in town.  Pinkett slid out quickly and made a run for
the backdoor to a restaurant.  Dan wasn't sure the other car had spotted
it this fast, but decided not to wait and see.  He pulled the gas and
got the hell out of there, just as Pinkett had instructed him to do. 
His career as an FBI-agent was over. 


September 16, 9.05 p.m. 
Somewhere between the Olympic Pool and the Marriot Hotel

Mulder got the call on his way to the hotel.  All of their stuff was
still there.  They had decided to spend one more night there.  Or
better, Scully had decided it.  She was driving the car when the call
came.  

She heard her partner call out :'When ?  How ?  Damn it !' 

As he hung up, he said :'Dan Schreiber has gone AWOL.  The cop car
behind him found him acting unusual.  He drove off like crazy.  They're
not sure if Williamson is involved.  Pinkett is gone.  He dropped him
off at a restaurant, where he vanished without a trace.  It's starting
all over again.'

'He won't try to go after the girl,' Scully said confident.  'He
wouldn't be that crazy.'

'He is that crazy.'  Mulder dialed the office number and quickly got the
information he needed on Sophie Jones' parents.  When he called them, he
got no answer. 

'Something's wrong,' he said.  'They told you they would be going home
straight away, right ?  He might already be there, taking the girl.  He
would have no trouble at all getting a car.  He's a professional car
thief.  Jesus, what if he already has her ?'

'I'll call the police,' Scully said.  'They'll get there before we do.'

Scully changed her route and drove towards the Jones' residence. 


September 16, 9.10 p.m.
Place unknown

Within five minutes a second call came on Mulder's phone.  'Hey, Mulder.
 Guess who ?'

'Did you take the girl, Robert ?'

'Yeah.  Too bad I had to kill her parents in the process.  Don't bother
going there, Mulder.  She's not there.'

'Where did you take her ?'

'Where do you think ?'  He hung up.  

'He went back to the pool,' Mulder said.  'Remember he said he would
have her swim for him in that pool ?'

Scully didn't even bother asking him why or how, she just drove towards
the huge Olympic Pool that would be empty.  Except for a frightened
little girl and a crazed man.  Skinner's line was busy.  Mulder left a
message on his voicemail.


September 16, 9.32 p.m. 
Olympic Pool 

'Swim for me, Sophie.'

The girl was frightened.  He loved every second of her fear.  

'Come on, I promised a friend of mine you should swim for me.'

'I won't.  I can't !' The girl screamed.  

He put his hand over her mouth and nose, practically choking the girl. 
'Stop screaming or I'll kill you right now.  Alright ?'

The girl nodded.  

'Good.  Now swim for me.  I know you're still wearing your swimsuit
under those sweats.  Come on now.'  

The girl shivered as she started peeling off her clothes and dove in the
pool.  She didn't know what to do, just started swimming towards the
other end of the pool.  Maybe, if she swam towards the other side, he
wouldn't get to her there.
She heard something, a noise.  And then something hitting the water next
to her.  When she looked up, she saw him walking next to her, with the
gun in his hand.

'A straight line, Sophie, or I'll have to shoot you.'  She didn't dare
swim in the other direction. 

'That's a good girl.'  He pulled her out of the pool when she reached
the other side.  He hugged her and gave her a peck on the cheek. 
'That's my girl.  You did well.'

She dared smiling, hoping he would let her go now.  But her mom and dad
had had blood all over them.  Maybe she would get blood all over her
too. 

'Pinkett !' He heard the voice from the other side of the pool, and a
gun was aimed at him.

'You see that, Sophie ?' he whispered to the girl.  'The cavalry has
arrived.  You alone, Mulder ?'

'Yeah.'

Pinkett laughed.  'You're lying.  Where's that cute partner of yours ?'

'I dropped her off at home when I got the call.  I figured you might
have been here.  Didn't have time to get her.'

'Like I believe that.  Is she hiding somewhere ?'

'No.  Scout's honor.'

Pinkett grinned.  'Didn't know you were a scout, Mulder.'

'Yeah well, you haven't been profiling me, have you ?'

Pinkett smiled.  The girl cried.  'I think you should put that gun down
before anyone gets hurt, Mulder.'

'I can't and you know it.'

'I'll kill her.'

'You'll kill her anyhow.'

'Are you a good shot, Mulder ?' he said as he held the girl close to his
body.  'Do you think you can hit me before I can hit her ?'

'I can't,' Mulder said nervously.  

'Then drop the gun.'

Mulder dropped the gun to the floor, shoving it aside.  

'Get on your knees.'

Mulder did as he was told. 

'You know, I had this saved for Joanna - this little confrontation of
ours - but I suppose a general rehearsal won't harm anyone.  He pulled a
syringe from his pocket, laid it on the floor and slid it to him.  'You
know the drill by now.  Inject yourself with it.'

Mulder picked up the syringe, and looked at it. Then he looked at
Pinkett, still holding the girl only a few inches in front of him.  The
girl cried.

'It's okay,' Mulder said softly.  'He won't hurt you.  Give me your
hand.  Don't be afraid.'

The girl pulled out her hand and touched his fingertips.  He grabbed her
by the wrist, ready to pull her towards him.

'No.'  Pinkett stopped her from stepping forward.  'Inject yourself now
or she dies.' 

'Don't be afraid,' Mulder repeated.  He jabbed the syringe in her
forearm and pulled down the plunger.  The girl immediately slid to the
ground, out cold.  Pinkett watched her slide. 

'What the hell did you do ?' Pinkett shouted, aiming his gun at Mulder. 

Mulder got on his feet.  'Look at her, Robert.  You don't want to kill
her like this.  Not while she's defenseless and vulnerable.  Look at her
!'
  
A shout came from behind him.  Scully stood there, aiming her gun at
him.  

'Scout's honor, Mulder ?'

'I crossed my fingers behind my back,' Mulder replied.  'Drop the gun,
Robert, before you kill us all.' 

'If that's what you want.'  Pinkett quickly aimed his gun at the back of
the girl's head. 

'No !' Mulder threw himself over her body, protecting her with his own
hide.  Mulder heard two shots fired within a matter of seconds.  He
heard Pinkett shout.  A vague sense  of pain struck the back of Mulder's
shoulder.  Then another sensation followed as something hit him, and he
felt like life was slipping away from him. 
But the girl was underneath him.  And she was safe.  At the end, that
was all that mattered. 

Robert Pinkett felt the bullet enter his side and turned around to fire
back at his attacker.  He shot three times, missing her every time.  She
took shelter to avoid his attack.  He looked at the two unconscious
figures at his feet.  He would never be able to take the girl with him.
'
Damn it !'  He kicked Mulder's head, trying to get him to go off the
girl.  The agent had a firm grip on her, ready to die for her if
necessary.  And behind him his partner stood, ready to kill Pinkett if
he didn't succumb.  But as long as Pinkett still held the gun to her
partner's head, she wouldn't dare to shoot again.

Pinkett stumbled towards the edge of the pool, and vanished through the
dressing rooms towards the back door.  He was bleeding like crazy.  The
woman didn't come after him.  He knew she'd be more concerned about her
partner and the kid.  They would give him the time to get away. 

He got in his car, and started the vehicle, grasping his side with his
right hand.  It hurt like hell. 


September 16, 10.01 p.m.
Washington DC, Olympic Pool

Mulder was vaguely aware of hands pulling at his clothes.  His hands
refused to let go of the body seemingly attached to his.  He knew that
she depended on him. 

He heard noises as he was pulled off the girl, and turned on his back. 
His shoulder bled.  It hurt.  Someone bent over him, touching his
shoulder.  He winced at the pain it produced.  He tasted blood.  His
blood.  He didn't want to taste it, but he did.  He knew it meant
something was wrong. 

'Mulder, can you hear me ?  Talk to me.' 

More voices and shouts.  Other people at his side, something pressing
against his sore shoulder.  Everything happened from a distance.  He
didn't feel like he could ever get warm anymore.  He shivered.  But as
he opened his eyes, the girl was lying besides him, breathing normally. 
Yeah, she was okay.

'Blankets,' the woman said, and he wondered where he knew her from.  His
mind was not able to work anymore.  He just wanted to sleep. 

'Mulder.'  She forced him to open his eyes.  'Stay with me now.  You
can't go to sleep.  Don't sleep, okay ?' 

He nodded his head.  If she said he couldn't sleep, he wouldn't.  After
all, he always listened to her.  
He heard more familiar voices now.  The back of his head throbbed.  He
didn't know why.  Something must have hit him there.  He felt dizzy,
nauseous. 

'Concussion,' he heard her voice say.  'I think we might finally need
that hospital, sir.'

Was she calling him 'sir' ?  No, she was talking to someone else.  He
opened his eyes again, seeing more faces.  Her hands leaned against his
back, supporting him.  He was sweating.  Or feverish.  He tasted the
salt drops of his own skin. 

He couldn't feel a thing anymore.  Panic lay in his eyes as he looked at
her. 
'It's okay, Mulder,' she said.  He winced.


September 16, 10.05 p.m. 
Olympic Pool

Agent Scully glanced at Skinner.  'Where's that ambulance ?  They should
have been here by now.'

'I'll go check,' Weinstein said before Skinner could respond. 

Pain shot through Mulder's system as he struggled for breath.  He was
numb, unable to resist the urge to sleep.  

'Scully -' 

She grabbed his hand.  'Don't fall asleep, Mulder.  You've got a
concussion.'

'I can't -'

Skinner stood behind her, a concerned look in his eyes as he watched his
agent struggle with darkness.  At the end it was that darkness that
overwhelmed Mulder, and he let himself slip in the merciful sleep his
body craved.