Hello Fan Fiction Readers, I hope this update finds you well. And, you're ready to dive back into this story. I appreciate all of the inboxes, and I am delighted to be able to produce an installment for you all to enjoy. Your thoughts and support have not gone unnoticed. Thank you very much, you're truly appreciated!
Now let's see what's going on in this next installment of the Pathway to Vermont. Happy reading!
PS I don't own the rights to these characters, they belong to Shondaland Productions.
Detective Rollins and Detective Boykin are sitting in the office lobby, waiting to see their boss. Rollins, a newly promoted detective who doesn't understand how high profile oriented cases work, is visibly aggravated.
Expressing his annoyance about being summoned without cause, he leans over to his partner as he asks, "Why are we here? He can't think we have much offer this early in the investigation. The medical examiner just picked up the body a few hours ago." Boykin, a 20-year vet replies, "True, but given our chat with Rosen this morning, are you really surprised at us being called downtown?" He sighs as he recalls the discussion with District Attorney Rosen, and responds, "Good point, I guess I'm not use to being interrupted in the middle of a case before I've had time to gather pertinent info." He understands his point, as he replies, "I get it. But it's my experience in cases like these the higher ups always have an angle we aren't aware of. And, to be quite honest, I don't really care to know those details of their reasoning. I just want to clear this case off of my desk."
Rollins being on the job 6 years, but new to the homicide squad from the robbery division now understands his perspective, as he responds, "So basically this case has political connections, and the commissioner is being pressured to get this solved quicker than usual."
Just as he prepares to reply, the large oak door opens and a woman steps out saying, "Detectives, the commissioner will see you now." They both nod as they stand, and look at one another as Boykin says, "Hello Kayla, nice to see you." She replies, "Nice to see you too Mark. Tell Marjorie I said hi." He nods as he responds, "Will do. Tell Wayne the same for me please." She smiles as she responds, "Of course."
As they walk into the office, Boykin says to his partner, "I'll take the lead here if you don't mind." Rollins nods in agreement as he replies, "Sure thing. Show me how its done boss." They both smile as they proceed inside.
When they walk in the commissioner is talking on the phone. They pause initially, but she waves her hand for them to come on in. The door closes behind them, and they both take a seat in front of the desk. They then hear her say, "I'm glad we could see eye to eye on this Blake. I'll bring them up to speed, they've just arrived. Take care, and tell Barb I will see her at the tennis club Friday. Okay, bye"
Both detectives look at one another, knowing another shoe is about to drop. After she hangs up the phone pleasantries are exchanged and the commissioner says, "Thank you both for coming down here on such short notice detectives. I know you're hard at work on the Warren homicide. So, I won't keep you long." Boykin smiles as he responds, "You're welcome Commissioner Rossetti, it's no bother though. We were just heading over to interview some of Warren's family and friends before casting a wider net."
She nods as she replies, "I see. And who exactly is involved in the wider net casting?" Rollins responds, "We aren't sure right now, his professional dealings may bring up something, it's pretty early in the process. We will follow the evidentiary breadcrumbs as they develop." Boykin is screaming in his head, as he thinks to himself, what part of letting him lead the conversation did he not understand? But he figures at this point the best move now is to just get to the matter at hand.
By Rollins' tone she can tell he's not a fan of being here to discuss the case. But there's a method to her madness. Nonetheless, she appreciates his sense of urgency, with wanting to get this done and over with, she's of the same mindset.
But as she prepares to respond Boykin says, "With all due respect Madam Commissioner, we don't want to waste your time or ours. Is there something specific you need to hear from us about the case?" Seeing that like Boykin, Rollins also is anxious to know why they're in her office. She says, "in the interest of time detectives, I'll get right to it. If at any point the casting of the wider net, as you said, leads you to the Whitehouse or specifically Olivia Pope. I want to know beforehand. We can't risk a political nightmare over this."
Boykin understands her position, but doesn't like where this is going, but his partner beats him to the punch as he replies, "Madame Commissioner this isn't about politics for us. As I said a moment ago, we will follow the evidence where it leads."
She nods as she responds, "I'm glad that's the case. Because I am not implying that you do anything different in that regard. I am just saying I want to be made aware if your investigation leads you in the direction of Olivia Pope before you speak with her. Do you have a problem with that detective?"
The tension in the room elevates instantly, as they both feel her looking directly into their eyes, with no wavering in site. She's prepared to verbally spar with them if that's what they're looking to do. It's up to them.
Boykin decides to bring some levity to the conversation as he says, "No mam, we don't have a problem with notifying you of our intent to interview Ms. Pope. We just don't want to risk torpedoing our case. I'm sure you recall the element of surprise is a reliable tool for law enforcement when interviewing potential suspects." She replies, "I agree detective, The element of surprise is a helpful tool during interrogation; but what's not helpful is law enforcement being directed to follow certain leads, and not all leads as we should, to determine the truth of what happened in a case, or interrogating someone before interviewing them to see if they're good for the crime, wouldn't you agree?"
Her reply lets them both know that she is aware of the conversation they had with Rosen earlier. And now they understand the person she was talking to as they walked in was Mayor Blake Cardwell. Which means this case has officially become a potential political bomb waiting to explode, And nobody wants to be the one accused of detonating it.
Understanding more the innerworkings of what's going on Both Rollins and Boykin snap out of their heads as they nod, and Rollins says, "We understand your point Madame Commissioner. And you have our word we will work every lead thoroughly and when we interview Ms. Pope it will be because we have credible evidence that leads us her way." Boykin likes his response, and feels like that buttons up the conversation nicely, as he adds, "My partner is exactly right Madame Commissioner. But I have to say, I don't like meeting in secret like this. So how do you want to handle telling Rosen about this?" She replies, "I understand your concern detective. But don't worry about it. If he approaches you about this meeting; feel free to refer him to my office. I don't have anything to hide."
They both accept her answer, and Boykin says, "Okay. That's good enough for me. If there's nothing else. Are we good to go?"
Satisfied with their agreement to keep her abreast of the progress of the investigation, she says, "Yes. You are good to go detectives. I'm glad we were able to see eye to eye on this matter. I'll be looking forward to an update on the case in a few days, is that good?" They both stand as does she, and Rollins replies, "That's perfect Madame commissioner."
She nods at both of them, and they shake hands before leaving. After the door closes she looks down at her phone, that's ringing and sees from the Caller ID a familiar number appears. She sighs as she says, "Never a dull moment Here we go." .
