01 - Goblins Read Online Free PDF Page B

was well aware that Mulder used
the book when he had to, and his own, rather unique experience when necessary.
The problem was, that experience. Half the time, it seemed like nothing but
hunches; the other half consisted of such wild speculation that Douglas was
amazed the man had any arrest record at all.
    He waved a dismissive hand. “Never mind, Hank. It’s not really important.” He
slid his hands off the folder. “As I said, this is fine work. Thanks to you, we
should have no trouble in court putting Helevito away for most of the rest of
his life.” The smile faded to an expression that was both an invitation to the
inner circle and a warning against betrayed confidences. “But before you decide
to make Mulder your hero, there’s something you should know.”
    Webber frowned his puzzlement.
    “And something I’d like you to do for me.” The smile returned, this time with
teeth. “A personal favor. One, I think, which will not hinder your advancement
in the Bureau one iota.”
     
    * * *
     
    Mulder wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say next. He had already explained
to Barelli as carefully as he could that he couldn’t take on the case without
authorization, or without a request from the local law enforcement agency, but
the reporter refused to accept it. He kept insisting this was Mulder’s kind of
thing, right up his alley.
    Weird stuff, Mulder thought sourly; famous throughout the whole damn world
for weird stuff.
    “It doesn’t matter,” he said, making sure Carl heard and saw the regret. “You
said yourself the woman had been drinking. And was hysterical. As anyone very
well might be who had witnessed something sudden and gruesome like that. Which
is why, believe it or not, eyewitnesses aren’t always the best way to pursue a
case. Get three people at the scene of a violent crime like this, and I’ll
guarantee three different versions of what happened.”
    “Look, Fox, I know—”
    Mulder held up a palm. “What I’m saying is, Carl, that this woman was
obviously severely shaken up. Like I said, anyone would be, and—”
    “Speak for yourself,” a dry voice said from the doorway.
    Barelli instantly leapt to his feet, a great, wolfish smile cracking his
solemnity. “Dana! Darlin’!”
    Mulder merely looked to the door. “You’re back early.”
    Dana Scully made a face, tossed her purse at him and shrugged out of her
light topcoat. “I got back last night. I got tired of looking at interstates.
After a few days they’re all the same—boring. And very exhausting.”
    She didn’t look exhausted to him. Her light auburn hair was in place, her
slightly rounded face clear of any hint of weariness, and her clothes—a ruffled
blouse and wine-colored jacket with matching skirt—were impeccable!
    As practically always.
    “You look perfect,” Barelli said, crossed the room and engulfed her in a hug.
    “Hi, Carl.” She accepted the hug for only a few seconds, then slipped out of
it so deftly Mulder wanted to applaud.
    He nodded toward his friend instead. “Carl has a problem, but I’m afraid we
can’t help him.”
    “Bullshit.” Barelli laughed heartily. “You just need some convincing, that’s
all. And this is just the little lady who can do it.”
    Scully avoided another hug by catching the purse Mulder tossed back to her
and, at the same time, preempting the other chair.
    “So how was the trip?”
    She took her time answering. “Nice. Very relaxing.”
    “You should have stayed the whole time.”
    “What, are you kidding?” Barelli folded his arms and leaned against
the jamb. “You don’t know that little lady very well,
Mulder. Can’t keep her mind off business for more than two hours at a time.” His
smile was seductive, he knew it, and he used it. “Which makes me glad to see
you, Dana. Maybe you can talk this guy into giving a friend a hand.”
    Scully quickly glared at Mulder, who had already raised his hands to offer
mock applause. Instead the right