CHAPTER FOUR
The CSM didn't want to be there, he much rather be with Carly right now…but the Elder had called a meeting of the Syndicate.
" Any news of the Black Virus that was in Amos Garrett's body?" the Well-Manicured Man asked the CSM.
" It had severe side-effects," the CSM told the group, " the Black Virus wasn't successful, it failed miserably." He was getting angry, " Carly Garrett lost her father. We sacrificed a man's life for what? Nothing!"
" We had to try," the Elder answered, his face expressionless, " and Amos Garrett did volunteer to be part of the experiment."
The CSM lit another cigarette. The Elder was correct, Amos had volunteered to be part of the Black Virus experiment. He went to their lab and let himself get injected with the substance that contained the virus. This happened around four years ago and they learned it took all this time for the side effects to come through and they killed Amos instead of turning him into a alien human hybrid. The CSM knew they should have injected him with the alien DNA as well but the others were against it.
" What if words leaks out about this experiment? The general public would be furious to know we've done a dangerous experiment on a human. Everything we've worked for will be destroyed." Another man asked them-Alex Krycheck.
" The evidence of the Black Virus found in Garrett must be destroyed," the Well-Manicured Man replied, he turned to the CSM, " You must get it from Agent Mulder and Scully."
" They will never give to me," the CSM objected, " and if I tried to steal the evidence, Mulder will shoot me if he catches me. It's too risky."
" Then the only thing to do is get the evidence from Carly Garrett. She had asked the agents for help, then why not ask her to get the evidence from Mulder?" Krycheck suggested to him.
" How do I do that?"
" We don't care how you do it," Krycheck spoke for the rest of them, " Wine and dine her, sleep with her…just make sure you get the evidence."
The CSM frowned at the younger man. Krycheck was giving him orders now? Once upon a time it used to be the other way round.
" Alex is right," the Elder added, " we don't care how you get it, just make sure you do."
The CSM left the building, furious. Who were they to order him around?
" You're using her for something and we both know it," Mulder's accusation went through his mind.
Mulder was wrong-he wasn't using Carly at all, and wouldn't be using her when he asked for the evidence because Carly was starting to trust him. The CSM still wanted her-and perhaps in time, he might even come to love her.
A couple of nights later, Carly was standing near the door of her apartment, in his arms and kissing him.
" I'm sorry I haven't been able to come around earlier," the CSM apologised as she lead him into the living room.
" I've been busy anyway," Carly said, " Getting ready for the funeral on Sunday…my sister's coming down from California and my short story is due in two weeks. I don't know if I'll ever finish it."
" Let's make you forget about everything," he suggested, wrapping her in his arms again.
She let him kiss her and the kiss become heated. His hands went exploring and she knew she should stop him…because it felt too good.
After awhile, he stopped and studied her, " Do you think we're going to fast?" he asked her.
She shook her head, she needed this, needed his comfort, " No. Let's go into the bedroom," she answered softly.
The CSM watched as she sat on the double bed, " There's something I need to talk to you about…but it can wait for later."
Carly nodded, " Aren't you going to join me?" she asked and he did. They resumed their kissing and Carly unbuttoned his shirt. This is it, there was no turning back now…
The intruder broke into the lab and headed straight for the body of Amos Garrett, still lying on the autopsy table.
The body was doused with kerosene before the intruder lit a match, stepped back and threw it at the body.
The body erupted in flames as the intruder watched, nodding with satisfaction before leaving the lab.
The ringing of the cell phone jolted Carly awake. She fumbled for it and pressed the TALK button.
" Carly Garrett speaking, " Carly mumbled sleepily. She glanced at Spender who was stirring awake.
" Carly? This is Agent Scully," Scully sounded distressed.
" What's wrong?" Carly asked, sitting up.
" I'm afraid I have some bad news," Scully continued after a moment's hesitation.
" What is it?" Carly demanded, instantly alert. The CSM sat up and rubbed his eyes groggily.
" I went to the lab this morning to do a further autopsy on your father," Scully paused, " But somebody broke into the lab and burned your father's body."
A chill went through Carly, " How badly burnt is it?"
" Its nothing more than charcoal and ashes. I'm sorry Carly."
" Who would do something like that?" Carly demanded furiously, " burn a corpse?"
" Whoever did this was desperate to destroy the evidence of the Black Virus," Scully replied.
" I'll bet it was the same person who injected the virus into Dad," Carly suggested.
" Could be. I'll discuss with Mulder," they said good-bye and hung up.
" Would you like to tell me what happened?" the CSM asked and she looked over at him, startled. She had nearly forgotten he was there.
She did tell him and the CSM frowned. He had a feeling who would have burned the corpse…Alex Krycheck. But why would Krycheck do it if he knew the CSM was going to get the evidence anyway?
He got out of bed and began getting dressed absently.
" Are you okay?" Carly asked him.
" Yes…I just remembered I have something to do this morning." He told her as he did his tie.
" Can't you stay for breakfast?"
" Not this time," the CSM found his Morley's and put them in his coat pocket. He walked around to Carly's side of the bed and kissed her, " thanks for last night." He whispered.
Carly stared at him. He was acting strange…it was if the discovery of the burnt corpse had set him off somehow.
" It was special," she told him.
" I'll call you." He promised. She stood up to hug him before he left her apartment.