X knocked on the window, and the passenger door swung open.
“How did it go?” his boss asked without disturbing the Morley tucked in the corner of his mouth.
“I smoked my first cigarette,” X said, leaning back against the seat.
“What did you think?”
“Not bad. But I see myself as more of a social smoker.”
“Did you just make that up?” He took a long drag of his Morley, then pointed it at X. “And if you did, don’t tell me. It sounds like the kind of garbage a guy in a white jumpsuit would say, and nobody should wear one of those except Elvis. And he’s dead.”
The Smoking Man was pissed off about something. X hoped it didn’t have anything to do with him. The funnel of ash on his Morley grew with every drag. X didn’t bother watching it. The ash wouldn’t break off until the boss allowed it to fall.
“Did you get the file?” He exhaled, and smoke snaked toward X.
“Files. Plural. Boxes and boxes full of photocopies.”
“I assume that was the reason for your fireworks show at the Winchester residence?”
“Yep.”
“And the Major?”
“Broke his neck,” X said. “I would’ve staged a natural death, but the guy was agitated. And there was no time.”
“Don’t make a habit of it.” The Smoking Man blew out a long trail of smoke. “Anything to report on Fox Mulder?”
“Bill came home last night, and the two of them got into it.” X shook his head. “The kid’s dad really is a jerk.”
“Bill means well. A son can’t always understand his father’s motivations. What were they arguing about?”
“The FBI had called Fox in to ask him some questions.” A hint of a smile played on his lips. “The kid met with Agent Ressler from the BSU.”
The boss nodded. “I know Bob. We went fishing once or twice. The guy has no sea legs. He threw up the whole time.” He tapped the edge of his cigarette on the ashtray and the funnel broke off in one piece, the way it always did. “How did Fox do with Ressler? On land, the man is tough.”
“Ressler seemed impressed. He was surprised the kid pieced the case together on his own.”
The Smoking Man rolled the cigarette between his fingers. “You followed Fox Mulder around for the past few days. How did he figure all this out?”
X sat with the question for a moment. “He definitely has good instincts. And he never discounted anyone without giving the person a chance. He even listened to Major Winchester.”
“Fox Mulder is willing to believe.”
The Cigarette Smoking Man kept staring at the building.
He took another drag. “Belief has its uses.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Jonathan Maberry, my friend and fellow author: For coming up with the crazy idea to write about Fox Mulder as a teen, and for never abandoning it. If you hadn’t talked me into writing the short story “Black Hole Son” about sixteen-year-old Fox Mulder for your anthology this book wouldn’t exist. And no one else could’ve written Dana Scully’s origin story. You’re the real Agent of Chaos.
Jodi Reamer, my literary agent and the best in the business: For encouraging me to follow my crazy ideas down rabbit holes and helping me find my way out when I get lost.
Erin Stein, my publisher and editor at Imprint: For scoring me this gig and spending three days at my house outlining Mulder’s story with me. But most of all, for letting me take risks in my novels.
Joshua Izzo and Nicole Spiegel at Twentieth Century Fox: For your excitement and support, and for helping us get this done so fast; and to the Team at IDW: for the amazing stories they’re telling in the world of The X-Files Origins.
Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files: For creating Fox Mulder, one of the coolest and most iconic characters in television history, and for allowing me to write his origin story.
David Duchovny, the actor who brought Fox Mulder to life: For making us all Believe so completely.
Ellen Duda, senior designer at Imprint: For creating gorgeous cover art that captures the heart of the novel.
The “Believers” at Imprint: Natalie Sousa, Rhoda Belleza, and Nicole Otto. And to all the “Believers” at Macmillan: Jon Yaged, Angus Killick, Allison Verost, Molly Brouillette Ellis, Kelsey Marrujo, Lucy Del Priore, Kathryn Little, Johanna Kirby, Mariel Dawson, Robert Brown, Jeremy Ross, Caitlin Crocker, Grace Rosean, Jennifer Gonzalez and her incredible sales team, John Nora, Alexei Esikoff, and the eagle eyes of Valerie Shea and Christine Ma.
Writers House, my literary agency: For representing me and my literary works, with special thanks to Cecilia de la Campa and Alec Shane.
Dr. Thomas Sixbey, MD, and Dr. Edward Kurz, MD: For your unparalleled professional expertise regarding serial killers, the criminal mind, the FBI, and the BS. I can’t thank you enough for spending hours answering my questions and texts. You are the coolest psychiatrists I’ve ever met, and this book would not be the same without you.