Chapter 3

They arrived back at the police department quickly and greeted Officer Ford as they entered. Olivia stomped the snow from her boots and shook her head to release the snowflakes that had stuck to her head. "Officer Ford, I do believe that snow is coming down even heavier than before we left the first time. If we can get this resolved, are we going to be able to get out of town?"

"Sorry, Detective. They've now issued a storm warning and that snow that's coming down is only going to get heavier."

"Great," said Elliot sourly.

"Hello, Detectives," said a tall, thin man still wearing a heavy parka as he came through a rear door. "I'm Chief Gilson and I appreciate the two of you coming up here."

"Not a problem, Chief," said Olivia. "It's not often we get to go to the nice areas to pick up suspects. This is actually a treat."

"I'm glad you see it that way, Detective Benson, because we've got a major problem and when I tell you, I think the dark look on your partner's face is going to get worse."

Elliot immediately took a deep breath and spoke, "Sorry, Chief. Not meaning to disrespect the hospitality, but we were hoping to be on the road before now with Lake in the back of the car."

"No foul, Detective. Here is the problem. Our DA, Robeson, is in Boston for a meeting and doesn't want to release Lake to your custody until speaking with you in person. However, he isn't going to return until tomorrow."

"Sir, we are expected back at our station no later than tomorrow. Could we call him and get this cleared up now?" asked Olivia.

"I'm afraid not, Detective. He's now caught in the snowstorm that is heading our way. The town around here is going to be battening down the hatches. Didn't you two check out the weather report before leaving New York?"

"No. We got the call and our captain got us on the road. We grabbed overnight bags, but no winter gear," said Elliot. He turned to Olivia. "I don't want to get caught out on the road, Liv. If it's coming down that heavy, I'd rather wait until the plows go through tomorrow."

"I know. But I wanted you to get back," she said quietly. "I guess we'll just have to grab rooms for the night." Turning back to the chief, she continued, "Any recommendations, Chief? We'll need to grab a couple of rooms for the night, so wherever you might suggest would be great. Ford definitely didn't steer us wrong for dinner." She smiled at him. "The hot chocolate was fabulous."

"Tell you two what, I've got an even better idea and it won't cost a cent. Let me make a quick call and I'll be right back." Chief Gilson turned and strode back to his office.

Officer Ford watched him walk off. "Oh, you two may just get very lucky this evening."

Elliot and Olivia both turned to him quickly. "Excuse me?" they both said with surprised looks on their faces.

"Chief Gilson. I'll bet he's calling his sister." A couple of minutes passed before Gilson returned.

"Detectives, you are in luck. Instead of a run-of-the-mill hotel, what would you say to a completely set up ski cabin about five miles from here? It's completely stocked, multiple rooms, and even a Jacuzzi in the master bath. Would that make up for the inconvenience?"

Elliot looked over at Olivia and grinned at the blissful look on her face at the mention of the Jacuzzi. "Chief, I think you have a deal. But be prepared to deal with Olivia being a squatter when someone demands that she unhand that Jacuzzi. Believe me, she can be quite forceful when she's being possessive."

"Elliot," Olivia exclaimed and reached over and swatted him on the shoulder. "For that, you can sleep out in the driveway in the car while I soak in that tub." Both Ford and Gilson laughed at the partners' antics.

"Well, that's part two. I'll be running you up there in the truck. Believe me, by morning, that poor Crown Vic will be going nowhere. I'll just come and pick you up in the morning."

"Chief, will your sister accept a voucher from NYPD?" asked Olivia.

"Don't worry about it, Detective. It's on the house. My sister owns the cabin, and after stocking it at the request of this week's renters, she got a call a while ago that they were unable to make it up here because they are canceling flights due to the weather. So the cabin is sitting empty until next week. Consider it yours until this snafu is cleared up. Okay?"

The partners looked at each and nodded. "Deal."

Olivia looked back to the Chief. "Just give us a second, okay?" she said as she pulled Elliot aside. "Get it over with now, okay?"

He looked at her confusedly. "What are you talking about?"

"Think hard. Think blonde."

"I'll just call from the cabin." He looked away quickly.

"Oh, no way. I am not listening to the two of you argue while I try and enjoy that tub. Go to the men's room and take care of it."

Elliot gave her a tired and frustrated look but turned and walked towards the men's room.

"He'll be just a minute," Olivia said to Gilson.

"I'm guessing that there's an individual back home that will not be pleased with this arrangement."

"Yeah, basically."

"Sorry that this has been a huge inconvenience for everyone, Detective Benson."

"Don't worry about it, Chief. We're used to snafus. Besides," she grinned at him, "That tub will cure all of my ills."

"Just be sure to let your partner have a turn. He might need to be cured of his ills."

Olivia grinned at the chief. "Then he can go play in the snow."

Gilson laughed at her expression. "Well, as I said, the cabin is stocked. There are parkas, skis and snowshoes. If he's still grouchy in the morning, send him for a hike before I come pick you two up."

Olivia's giggle was sharply cut off by the sight of her partner's morose expression as he returned from his phone call. "Can we go now?" he asked as he continued towards the door.

"Sure thing, Detective. Want to grab your bags and we'll hit the road. The cabin has a landline so don't be too surprised if your cell phones don't work. This place is pretty far back in the trees. Hope you don't mind me running the two of you up there. But I guess NYPD doesn't have too many 4x4s to send out for transport runs."

"No, they don't," Olivia said as she and Elliot went to grab their bags. "You okay?" she asked quietly.

"No," he answered. The look on his face almost made him seem lost. Maybe she could get him to talk up at the cabin. Elliot handed her bag to her, and they both walked back to the chief's SUV and loaded them in the back. Elliot opened up the back door and slid into the seat, looking over at Olivia. "Take the front," he said, nodding towards the passenger seat in front of him. She nodded and opened the front door and climbed in. Gilson started the engine and backed out of the lot.

Olivia was actually glad neither she nor Elliot was driving. The snow was coming down heavier than ever, and even the big 4x4 fishtailed a bit as they turned on to one of the side streets to head out of town. She sat back and wondered about Elliot's call to Kathy. From the look on his face, it didn't appear to have gone well.

Elliot, too, was thinking about the phone call. He leaned his head back on the seat and sighed deeply. He should have known this was coming. He closed his eyes and thought back to the call.

"I know what you're doing, Elliot. This is just an excuse to be with Olivia."

"Yeah, right, Kathy. It sure is. I specifically called the Stowe PD and arranged for them to catch a perp that our unit had been looking for over three months. Then I went ahead and just happened to schedule his pickup the night before this damned appointment. Wait, it gets better. I even got my captain in on this...seeing as he's the one who decided to send us. And on top of that, when I got here, I asked Mother Nature to drop a shitload of snow on this area so all the damn roads are closed! Would you please just grow up!"

"Don't tell me to grow up when you're the one who's going to be spending the night alone with his partner."

 He'd turned and leaned his head against the wall. "Exactly. In separate rooms on separate floors. Jeezus. Whatever happened to the word 'trust' in this marriage?"

"It flew out the window when I realized you spent more time with her than you did in our home or our bed."

"So, you don't trust me. Great. And here I've trusted you since the day we were married. Guess I've been looking at this marriage through rose-colored glasses all this time. What are you getting at with all this, Kathy? What do you want? There's no way I'm driving back down there tonight without doing my job, which due to crap on this end isn't likely to happen until at least tomorrow."

"Elliot, if you're not at the breakfast table tomorrow morning, don't ever bother coming home again."

"You aren't serious? Get real. There's a severe storm warning issued and they are already closing roads. What do you expect me to do? Flap my arms and fly?"

"If you wanted to be home, you would be."

"And if I tried, you could be identifying my body in a morgue after it's been cut out of the car. Take your pick."

"Take yours, Elliot."

He took a deep breath. "I'll be home in one piece when the suspect is delivered to New York. We'll discuss what you want to happen at that time. If you feel that strongly about a separation…" He sighed. "Then it'll be your choice."

"I'll have your clothes sent to the precinct. Or should I send them to Olivia's?"

Elliot sighed. "I'm tired of fighting with you, Kathy. You never hear what I say, so why do I keep trying? You do whatever you want. I'll make arrangements for an apartment or something and get my stuff if that's your decision." He trailed off. "I've got to go. The chief is waiting for me." He added softly, "Bye, Kathy," and closed the phone.

Elliot opened his eyes and watched the snow blowing outside the window. Now he only had to keep his partner from figuring out that his life had fallen apart. But, thinking about it, he wasn't too sure if could...or if he wanted to.

*****