Chapter Five - Friend Or Foe
Scully was just downloading the last of the autopsy reports on the previous victims when there was a faint knock on the front door.
She was tempted to ignore the knock, she had so much work to do before heading to the wine and cheese party down the street that night, but she rose slowly and headed towards the door.
Scully peaked through the peephole and saw Agnes standing on her front stoop holding a large plate of muffins.
Realizing that her work would be put off at least an hour, Scully sighed and opened the door plastering a smile on her face.
"Good morning Agnes" she said stepping aside so the older woman could step inside.
"Good morning dear." Agnes said cheerily walking into the house looking around with obvious curiosity. "I had a craving for blueberry muffins this morning so a whipped up a batch. Too many for me to eat so I thought perhaps you and that good looking husband of yours would like a few."
As if on cue, Mulder came down the stairs his smile growing when he spotted the plate of muffins.
"Agnes you are an angel" he said planting a kiss on her cheek which made her blush "you must have heard my stomach growling from your house."
Agnes blushed again as Scully motioned her into the living room. Agnes took a seat placing the muffins down on the coffee table in front of her.
"Coffee?" Scully offered
"No thank you dear. More than one cup a day and I am all jittery." Agnes replied.
Scully sat down a bit apprehensive. Whereas she could interview a potential suspect for hours, when it came to basic small talk she was often tongue tied. She hoped that Mulder would put off his errands and help her out by saw the keys in his hand and knew she was going to be on her own.
Mulder leaned over and grabbed two muffins smiling broadly at Agnes. "I wish I could stay and chat with you Agnes, but errands await."
He walked behind Scully and planted a kiss on her head. "Bye Honey" he said just a little too sweetly "I'll be home in plenty of time for Brian's little party."
And with that, he was gone leaving Scully to entertain her elderly neighbor.
"Brian" Agnes said as soon as Mulder had left the room "Are you sure you want to be associating with the likes of him?"
"I really don't know" Scully said speaking the truth "I just met the man but he was kind enough to invite us over to sample some wine he brought back from California recently."
"He will probably be wanting you to sample more than that" Agnes said a bit coldly.
"Why do you say that?"
"Let's just say that he and some of his friends have a bit of a roving eye. They have caused a few broken hearts in their day but I am sure will pay the price for their unfaithfulness." Agnes began crossly.
She seemed to catch herself for she took a deep breath and managed to continue in a more normal tone of voice.
"But dear, judging by the way your husband looks at you, and you at him, I don't think you will have anything to worry about."
Agnes then promptly changed the subject and try as she may, Scully was not able to change it back. She learned about the best place to buy meat in town, where to get the prettiest flowers and the freshest bread but nothing more about her neighbors.
Agnes returned home about an hour later and Scully promptly returned to her computer and her autopsy reports.
As she looked at her computer screen she found herself thinking about what Agnes had said more than the autopsy report displayed in front of her.
Two things had caught her attention - only one of which she thought she would mention to Mulder.
The part about Brian and his friends having a roving eye and paying the price seemed like a good tidbit of information to share with her partner. The part about how she and Mulder looked at each other she decided she would just keep to herself.
As promised Mulder returned in plenty of time to not only go over the autopsy reports with Scully but to talk about her visit with Agnes.
"So your little friend seems to have quite a disliking for Brian, Roger and the rest of their merry little band - very interesting." Mulder said pausing in front of the closet door trying to decide what to wear to the party that night.
"Are you trying to imply that she has anything to do with the murders?" Scully said. "That seems a bit of a stretch Mulder, even for you."
She walked over to where Mulder was peering in the closet and pointed to a dark blue polo shirt. "That and your khaki pants will be perfect."
Mulder smiled and took the clothes from the closet. "Now I see why men get married, so their wives can make all their decisions for them."
Scully gave him a casual swat across the back and she headed to the bathroom with her stack of clothes for the evening. By unspoken agreement, Scully always changed in the bathroom giving her access to her cosmetics and the mirror while Mulder changed in the bedroom giving him access to the sports scores on ESPN.
"Seriously Mulder" Scully continued through the partially open bathroom door. "You can't be surprised that a woman of Agnes's age would be offended by the behavior of these people. I find it offensive and I am less than half her age."
Scully was about to continue her argument when she noticed her small silver compact was no longer sitting on the bathroom sink.
"Mulder?" she called out to him "Have you seen my compact?"
"Not since this morning when I saw it on the sink." Mulder's voice was a bit muffled since he was pulling his shirt over his head. He thought to himself that now he and Scully really were starting to sound like an old married couple.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am sure" he said.
"Exactly where? I need it to check the back of my hair."
Hearing the frustration in her voice, Mulder walked over to the bathroom door "I will show you if you are decent."
"Decent enough" Scully said opening up the door for him. She was just buttoning up her shirt and gestured with one hand to the sink.
Mulder tried to get his concentration from his partner's barely covered chest to the bathroom sink that was littered with objects - both his and Scully's.
"It was right here next to the stainless steel razor my mother gave me for Christmas."
"The one you always bring with you but never use." Scully said teasingly.
Mulder didn't answer, he was too busy poking his finger through the objects on the sink. Not finding what he was looking for, he looked in the garbage can and on the bathroom floor.
"They are both gone" he said stating the obvious. "Was anyone else in here today?"
Scully saw the seriousness of his expression and took a minute to think before answering. "No of course not, who would be here. oh, wait a minute. Agnes asked for a tour of the house. She said she was dying of curiosity to see what it looked like now since it had been at least ten years since she had last been inside. She asked to use the bathroom while I was showing her the bedroom."
Mulder took Scully by the shoulders and turned her towards him. "Scully, did you happen to eat any of those muffins that Agnes brought over today?"
"No, why?"
"Just a hunch." Mulder said. "I think I will have one tested."
Scully looked at him puzzled. "Tested, you have got to be kidding. What could possibly be in those muffins? They must be all right, you ate two of them yourself.
Mulder smiled down at her. "I just took them to be polite. Blueberries make me sick."
Scully rolled her eyes at him but decided she wouldn't convince him that sometimes muffins were actually just muffins and she let the subject drop.
"Ready?" she said to Mulder as she finished putting on her makeup. She was wearing a bit more than normal tonight and hoped that it looked alright.
"Almost" Mulder said "I just want to make sure that nothing else is missing."
They did a quick search of the house which revealed that a small snapshot of the two of them was also missing. Mulder's head was brewing with theories, but he thought they could all wait until after the party.
He opened the door for Scully and after passing through it himself offered him his arm. "You are looking very pretty tonight Mrs. Buckland" he said as she took his arm and they began their walk down the street. "I just hope I don't have you share you with anyone tonight."
"That makes two of us" Scully replied.
The light of the struck match cut through the darkness of the attic as Agnes lit several tall white candlesticks.
After her eyes had adjusted to the candlelight, she took out a small ceramic bowl and began to throw a variety of dried herbs into it. Next to it she placed Scully's compact, Mulder's razor and their picture.
Taking one of the candles, she lit the dried herbs and they erupted into one large flame with a loud 'whoosh'.
Although the smoke of the herbs made her eyes water, Agnes stared down at the flame sometimes blue, sometimes green until it slowing died out. She then watched as the last plume of smoke slowly lifted up through the air making small circles in its trek towards the ceiling.
When the last of the smoke had disappeared, Agnes blew out the candles and returned to her sitting room her plan of action clear.
She did not like was she had seen in the flames, but she had no choice in the matter. Another man must die and soon.
Agnes just hoped that it wouldn't be her handsome new neighbor.
End of Chapter Five - comments? The more you send me your comments, the quicker I write
Scully was just downloading the last of the autopsy reports on the previous victims when there was a faint knock on the front door.
She was tempted to ignore the knock, she had so much work to do before heading to the wine and cheese party down the street that night, but she rose slowly and headed towards the door.
Scully peaked through the peephole and saw Agnes standing on her front stoop holding a large plate of muffins.
Realizing that her work would be put off at least an hour, Scully sighed and opened the door plastering a smile on her face.
"Good morning Agnes" she said stepping aside so the older woman could step inside.
"Good morning dear." Agnes said cheerily walking into the house looking around with obvious curiosity. "I had a craving for blueberry muffins this morning so a whipped up a batch. Too many for me to eat so I thought perhaps you and that good looking husband of yours would like a few."
As if on cue, Mulder came down the stairs his smile growing when he spotted the plate of muffins.
"Agnes you are an angel" he said planting a kiss on her cheek which made her blush "you must have heard my stomach growling from your house."
Agnes blushed again as Scully motioned her into the living room. Agnes took a seat placing the muffins down on the coffee table in front of her.
"Coffee?" Scully offered
"No thank you dear. More than one cup a day and I am all jittery." Agnes replied.
Scully sat down a bit apprehensive. Whereas she could interview a potential suspect for hours, when it came to basic small talk she was often tongue tied. She hoped that Mulder would put off his errands and help her out by saw the keys in his hand and knew she was going to be on her own.
Mulder leaned over and grabbed two muffins smiling broadly at Agnes. "I wish I could stay and chat with you Agnes, but errands await."
He walked behind Scully and planted a kiss on her head. "Bye Honey" he said just a little too sweetly "I'll be home in plenty of time for Brian's little party."
And with that, he was gone leaving Scully to entertain her elderly neighbor.
"Brian" Agnes said as soon as Mulder had left the room "Are you sure you want to be associating with the likes of him?"
"I really don't know" Scully said speaking the truth "I just met the man but he was kind enough to invite us over to sample some wine he brought back from California recently."
"He will probably be wanting you to sample more than that" Agnes said a bit coldly.
"Why do you say that?"
"Let's just say that he and some of his friends have a bit of a roving eye. They have caused a few broken hearts in their day but I am sure will pay the price for their unfaithfulness." Agnes began crossly.
She seemed to catch herself for she took a deep breath and managed to continue in a more normal tone of voice.
"But dear, judging by the way your husband looks at you, and you at him, I don't think you will have anything to worry about."
Agnes then promptly changed the subject and try as she may, Scully was not able to change it back. She learned about the best place to buy meat in town, where to get the prettiest flowers and the freshest bread but nothing more about her neighbors.
Agnes returned home about an hour later and Scully promptly returned to her computer and her autopsy reports.
As she looked at her computer screen she found herself thinking about what Agnes had said more than the autopsy report displayed in front of her.
Two things had caught her attention - only one of which she thought she would mention to Mulder.
The part about Brian and his friends having a roving eye and paying the price seemed like a good tidbit of information to share with her partner. The part about how she and Mulder looked at each other she decided she would just keep to herself.
As promised Mulder returned in plenty of time to not only go over the autopsy reports with Scully but to talk about her visit with Agnes.
"So your little friend seems to have quite a disliking for Brian, Roger and the rest of their merry little band - very interesting." Mulder said pausing in front of the closet door trying to decide what to wear to the party that night.
"Are you trying to imply that she has anything to do with the murders?" Scully said. "That seems a bit of a stretch Mulder, even for you."
She walked over to where Mulder was peering in the closet and pointed to a dark blue polo shirt. "That and your khaki pants will be perfect."
Mulder smiled and took the clothes from the closet. "Now I see why men get married, so their wives can make all their decisions for them."
Scully gave him a casual swat across the back and she headed to the bathroom with her stack of clothes for the evening. By unspoken agreement, Scully always changed in the bathroom giving her access to her cosmetics and the mirror while Mulder changed in the bedroom giving him access to the sports scores on ESPN.
"Seriously Mulder" Scully continued through the partially open bathroom door. "You can't be surprised that a woman of Agnes's age would be offended by the behavior of these people. I find it offensive and I am less than half her age."
Scully was about to continue her argument when she noticed her small silver compact was no longer sitting on the bathroom sink.
"Mulder?" she called out to him "Have you seen my compact?"
"Not since this morning when I saw it on the sink." Mulder's voice was a bit muffled since he was pulling his shirt over his head. He thought to himself that now he and Scully really were starting to sound like an old married couple.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am sure" he said.
"Exactly where? I need it to check the back of my hair."
Hearing the frustration in her voice, Mulder walked over to the bathroom door "I will show you if you are decent."
"Decent enough" Scully said opening up the door for him. She was just buttoning up her shirt and gestured with one hand to the sink.
Mulder tried to get his concentration from his partner's barely covered chest to the bathroom sink that was littered with objects - both his and Scully's.
"It was right here next to the stainless steel razor my mother gave me for Christmas."
"The one you always bring with you but never use." Scully said teasingly.
Mulder didn't answer, he was too busy poking his finger through the objects on the sink. Not finding what he was looking for, he looked in the garbage can and on the bathroom floor.
"They are both gone" he said stating the obvious. "Was anyone else in here today?"
Scully saw the seriousness of his expression and took a minute to think before answering. "No of course not, who would be here. oh, wait a minute. Agnes asked for a tour of the house. She said she was dying of curiosity to see what it looked like now since it had been at least ten years since she had last been inside. She asked to use the bathroom while I was showing her the bedroom."
Mulder took Scully by the shoulders and turned her towards him. "Scully, did you happen to eat any of those muffins that Agnes brought over today?"
"No, why?"
"Just a hunch." Mulder said. "I think I will have one tested."
Scully looked at him puzzled. "Tested, you have got to be kidding. What could possibly be in those muffins? They must be all right, you ate two of them yourself.
Mulder smiled down at her. "I just took them to be polite. Blueberries make me sick."
Scully rolled her eyes at him but decided she wouldn't convince him that sometimes muffins were actually just muffins and she let the subject drop.
"Ready?" she said to Mulder as she finished putting on her makeup. She was wearing a bit more than normal tonight and hoped that it looked alright.
"Almost" Mulder said "I just want to make sure that nothing else is missing."
They did a quick search of the house which revealed that a small snapshot of the two of them was also missing. Mulder's head was brewing with theories, but he thought they could all wait until after the party.
He opened the door for Scully and after passing through it himself offered him his arm. "You are looking very pretty tonight Mrs. Buckland" he said as she took his arm and they began their walk down the street. "I just hope I don't have you share you with anyone tonight."
"That makes two of us" Scully replied.
The light of the struck match cut through the darkness of the attic as Agnes lit several tall white candlesticks.
After her eyes had adjusted to the candlelight, she took out a small ceramic bowl and began to throw a variety of dried herbs into it. Next to it she placed Scully's compact, Mulder's razor and their picture.
Taking one of the candles, she lit the dried herbs and they erupted into one large flame with a loud 'whoosh'.
Although the smoke of the herbs made her eyes water, Agnes stared down at the flame sometimes blue, sometimes green until it slowing died out. She then watched as the last plume of smoke slowly lifted up through the air making small circles in its trek towards the ceiling.
When the last of the smoke had disappeared, Agnes blew out the candles and returned to her sitting room her plan of action clear.
She did not like was she had seen in the flames, but she had no choice in the matter. Another man must die and soon.
Agnes just hoped that it wouldn't be her handsome new neighbor.
End of Chapter Five - comments? The more you send me your comments, the quicker I write