Mulder looked at the trash can and sighed. Why was it, he wondered, that their cases so often took them to these dark, smelly alleys and the various joys they held.
"So this is where they found the corpse," he commented. Scully just nodded. "Wouldn't have needed much chalk."
Now it was Scully's turn to sigh. "You're sense of humour is getting worse, Mulder."
Mulder shrugged. "I just call them as I see them. So, who found the body?"
"The owner of the diner," Scully replied. "She thought it was a doll someone had dropped and was going to take it home for her daughter."
"When did she realise it wasn't a doll?"
"When she felt it was still warm."
Back at the car Mulder considered their options.
"Where did this Harold Cromwell work?" he asked.
"He was a security guard at a warehouse on the north side of town," Scully replied. "It's owned by a James Stoker."
"Well, unless you have a better idea, let's try there." Scully put the car into gear and they left the area of the alley, much to Mulder's relief.
***
"Have you ever heard of this U.N.I.T. organisation before, Scully?" Mulder asked.
"Yes, once or twice. They are a United Nations anti-terrorist agency, I believe."
Mulder smiled. "I don't suppose you would believe that their actual brief is to investigate extra-terrestrial visitors to Earth and aquire their technology?"
Scully smiled back. "I thought that was your job."
"No, I'm serious, Scully. These guys appeared in the late 60's, after something known as the London incident. Whatever that was is still classified but Langley believes it was a failed attempt at invasion by an alien race."
Now Scully laughed. "Your conspiracy theorist pals think Elvis is still alive."
"He is," Mulder replied, straight faced.
"You're really serious about this," Scully commented. "You really think this U.N.I.T. organisation was set up to stop invasions from space."
"There were a number of strange incidents around the southern half of England in the mid 70's that have never been fully explained."
Scully shook her head. "The thought that alien hoards, rather than seizing control of Washington or The United Nations, would instead concentrate their efforts on southern England is quite frankly ridiculous!"
"I agree, Scully, but can't you deny it happened. No, don't answer that. Of course you can."
The smile returned to Scully's lips. "You're learning, Mulder."
***
They arrived at the warehouse and parked opposite. Within seconds they saw a strangely dressed man wander around the corner, seemingly looking for a way in. Then from the other corner another man, this time dressed more ordinary, met up with the first at the entrance doors.
"What do you think?" asked Scully.
Mulder looked aghast. "You spend fifteen minutes rubbishing my theories, then you ask me what I think?"
"Don't be melodramatic, Mulder." She glanced at her watch. "It was only twelve minutes. Hey, looks like our friends are trying to break in."
"Then I suppose we'd better stop them."
They left the car, drew their guns and silently approached the two men. They arrived just as the strangely dressed one removed the padlock.
"Freeze, you two," said Scully. "F.B.I. agents. Stay right where you are or we shoot!"
