CHAPTER NINE


During the weekend, Maddy arrived from San Diego, California. The funeral was on Sunday. All of Amos's old army and college buddies would be there. The only family that would be at the funeral was his two daughters because he had no brothers and sisters.

The phone rang, it was the lawyer Richard Watson. He'd been a family friend ever since the two girls were teenagers.

" I need you and Madeline to come to my office for the reading of your father's will." Mr. Watson told Carly, " When do you think you can come?"

" Perhaps on Monday," Carly suggested, " Maddy will be in Washington until Wednesday."

" That's great. Be here around 9 am?"

" Sounds good to me." Carly agreed. They said goodbye and hung up. Carly knew her father had a substantial amount of money he left behind, how much Carly didn't know.

There was a knock on her door and before Carly could answer it, the door opened and in walked Madeline Anne Garrett.

" Hello, sister dear," Maddy drawled, flicking her long, lustrous brown hair over her shoulder. Her dark brown eyes glittered as she took in her new surroundings.

" Hi Maddy," Carly greeted her, " let me take that for you," she pointed at the dark green duffle bag Maddy was carrying.

Maddy was staying in Carly's apartment instead of a hotel. Carly didn't really want her sister staying with her, but Carly felt it was her duty to let Maddy stay.

" I don't see why you can't continue living in Daddy's house," Maddy said to her once she inspected the apartment.

" It's too big for one person," Carly pointed out, " I didn't feel right living there, the whole place reminded me of Dad." She paused, " its too late now, its on the market."

Maddy frowned with disapproval, " you should have waited til the will was read out to us…he could have left the house to us you know."

" I doubt it, it was rented." She reminded Maddy.

" Still…you sold the house without even consulting me first." Maddy went on.

" Maddy, we both know you couldn't care less what happens to the house," Carly retorted.

" That's true I suppose," Maddy agreed, " so, what's new?"
The CSM visited Carly that evening and was surprised to see she had a guest. He then remembered Carly telling him her sister was in Washington for the funeral.

Carly made the introductions. Maddy glanced at the older man, then at her sister. These two were lovers? He was much older than Carly with his craggy face, blue-grey eyes, and brown hair.

They seemed suited to each other though and it was clear this man cared very much for her sister. There was a bond between Carly and her lover and Maddy felt a twinge of jealously. Maddy was single and hadn't had a decent relationship in ages.

" Should we tell her?" the man named Spender asked his lover.

" Tell me what?" Maddy replied.

" I don't know…" Carly hedged.

" She has a right to know, she's your sister." The CSM reminded Carly.

" Okay…Maddy, next year in July, you're going to be an Aunt." Carly told her.

It took Maddy a minute or two to register what Carly was telling her.

" You're…pregnant?" Maddy said finally and another twinge of jealously went through her.

" It's not right!" Maddy exploded suddenly, startling Carly's lover, " you never wanted kids and you're going to have one! Whereas I can't ever have…" she couldn't finish her sentence. Choking back a sob, she made a dash for the bathroom and slammed the door shut, locking herself in.

The CSM stared at Carly, " What was that all about?" he asked her.

Carly's face had grown pale and she bit her lip. How could have she bee so thoughtless? Maddy was unable to have children of her own because when Maddy was fifteen, she was diagnosed with ovary cancer and had to have her ovaries taken out. Maddy loved kids and always wanted one of her own.

Carly went to the bathroom door and knocked,

" Maddy? I'm so sorry…can you come out?"

" Why so you can brag about it some more?" Maddy replied bitterly.

" So we can talk."

There was no answer until the door opened and Maddy walked out. She looked angry and sad.

" I think I'd like to stay in a hotel instead." Maddy decided.

" Oh Maddy, don't. We might not see eye to eye on things, but it's silly to waste your money on a hotel when I have spare room. I'm sorry for mentioning the baby…"

" No, I'm the one who should be sorry," Spender interjected looking contrite. He turned to Maddy, " Madeline, I don't know what the deal is here, but I'm very sorry for making Carly tell you the news. I just thought since you're her only family and all…"

" The reason why I can't have kids is because I had cancer when I was a teenager," Maddy interrupted, " on my ovaries. I had to have surgery to remove them."

" Maddy, please stay. We'll work something out." Carly pleaded. She couldn't believe she was actually begging her sister to stay!

" All right, I'll stay." Maddy muttered, " now if you'll both excuse me, I'm going to have a lie down. I think I might have jet lag."

" Do you want some dinner later? Maybe the three of us can go out." Carly suggested.

No way, Maddy thought, two's company, but threes a crowd. And anyway, I don't feel like playing happy families.

" I'm not hungry." Maddy said instead and shuffled off into the guest room.

Carly groaned, " I made a complete mess of everything! Poor Maddy…."

" I'm surprised you feel this way. I thought you and Madeline didn't get along."

" No, we never did…Maddy's just tired. Tomorrow morning we'll get back into the routine of disagreeing everything we say to each other." She predicted.

The CSM crossed the room to engulf her in a hug, " Do you want me to stay tonight?"

" Yes please," she snuggled into his embrace, " you can stay as long as you want."
Meanwhile, Maddy tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The news about Carly's pregnancy whirled around in her head.

She sat up, anger boiling inside her, ready to explode. She grabbed a pillow and threw it against the far wall.

Carly will never become a mother…she vowed.

On Monday, Scully contacted Carly and reported that the dog had not carried the virus. The dog had been healthy before Amos killed him.

" Thanks Scully…so we still have to find out how Dad got the virus." Carly said.

" It was injected into him," Scully said, " I did find the puncture mark in his arm…."

" But that could have been other medical reasons," Carly pointed out.

" True, but when I did the autopsy on your father before the fire, I went through his medical records. He didn't have diabetes or took drugs either. He was very healthy."

" I've found some of Dad's old diaries," Carly remembered, " they'll give us some clues. I'll read them once I get home from the executioner's office."

" Executioner's office?" Scully repeated.

" The executioner of the estate wants to read out Dad's will." Carly explained, " I'll be home later tonight though…you can come over if you want."

" Sure. I'll call Mulder to meet us at your place so we can discuss things further."

" All right, sounds good, How about six?"

Scully agreed and they both hung up. Carly walked into the executioner's office. During the funeral, Carly had cried for her father when his casket wen under ground. She had vowed not to cry but couldn't help it. Maddy hadn't cried, her face had been expressionless. After the funeral, Maddy had disappeared.
When she entered Mr. Watson's office, she was surprised to see Maddy already seated. She must have caught a taxi after the service.

" Now that you are both here, its time to begin," the tall, thin execution ter began as he rifled through the papers on his desk.

Maddy glanced over at Carly-who looked nervous and kind of on edge.

" Okay…I'll read out the will now." The executioner cleared his throat. During the reading, Maddy had been surprised that Dad wanted the girls to seel the house and keep the money to themselves-half each.

" I give my eldest daughter Madeline Amanda Garrett one million dollars," the executioner continued and Maddy's blood went cold.

" A million dollars?" Maddy squealed finally.

The executioner smiled, " yes my dear. You've just become a very rich woman."

Carly glanced at her sister, " I never knew Dad had that kind of money." She said and to Maddy's annoyance, she didn't look-or sound-envious.

Why can't she be jealous of me for once? It's not fair. Maddy fumed.

" And for my youngest daughter Carly Rose Garrett, the same amount." The executioner read on and the colour drained from Carly's face.

" Dad had two million dollars?" she whispered.

Once the meeting was over, the executioner took their bank details so he could transfer the money into their accounts.

When they walked out of the building, Maddy grinned at Carly,

" We are both millionaires Carly. We'll be set for the rest of our lives. You can move out of that crummy apartment and buy a penthouse!"

" I don't think so," Carly mused, " I might give some to charity."

Maddy groaned, " You are so boring! No charity is going to get its hands on my money. I'll be buying a mansion, a new car, and…" she rattled on and Carly tuned her out.

Where did Dad get the money? She asked herself, " Oh Maddy, two friends of mine are dropping by tonight." She told Maddy.

" That's fine, I won't be home. I'll be celebrating." Maddy grinned again, " so don't expect me home early!"

" I won't." Carly was relieved. Maddy didn't know how their father died and that his death was being investigated. The less people knew about it, the better.

When they drove home, they passed several penthouse apartments and Carly shook her head.

I can now afford to live in of them.

Maybe Maddy has the right idea. Move into a penthouse. Another thought crossed her mind.

I never have to work again!