"I can't believe the Brass actually agreed to this."

Three days later, Olivia crossed over the threshold of Elliot's cabin again, this time with a maroon duffel slung over her shoulder. The knotted hardwood creaked under her weight as she pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and allowed her eyes to adjust to the relatively dim light.

"Yeah. After they verified my alibi, ran me through the system twenty times, and made me sign a million insurance waivers, they were quite accommodating."

The hinged screen door snapped shut behind Elliot as he followed her inside, pulling her wheeled suitcase. The left wheel squeaked and the younger dog, Striker, raised his head from his post beside the sliding door. Deciding the intruder didn't pose much of a threat, he lay back down with a deep-throated groan.

Olivia laughed, swiping at the sweat on her forehead. "Come on El. You know better than anyone the flak the department would have faced if they didn't do their homework."

"Sure, sure. Personally, I think they are just so eager to get you all married off that they're willing to support even a fictional relationship." Elliot's eyes twinkled as he moved to stand beside her, his elbow brushing against hers.

Olivia rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile. "You're an ass."

"So I've been told." Tossing his keys onto the breakfast island, Elliot gestured to the space before them. "You ready for the grand tour?"

The large log cabin had a rustic feel, an air of history although there had only been one previous owner. Built into the slope of the mountain, the latter half of the building was supported by sturdy wooden stilts. It had been created in the image of a cottage, but the actual building was far larger than any self-respecting cottage would ever be. The interior was open concept, the kitchen melting into a living and dining area that boasted large, nearly floor to ceiling windows. The appliances were stainless steel and gleaming. Lights dangled from the rafters and monopolized corners. The furniture was eclectic and assorted, with a thrift store look that worked well with the rustic infrastructure. Wide wooden beams crisscrossed over the open ceiling. It smelled clean and was largely free of cluttering accoutrements. The minimalist approach was appropriate against the stunning backdrop of green pine forest and glittering lake visible through the windows. Out the back, a weathered deck shaded moss covered rocks.

A series of doors led off a small hallway that extended to the right of the kitchen. The first room was the master bedroom, a sprawling but simple space that played host to a small bureau, a queen-size bed, an exercise machine, and a flat-screen TV. At the end of the hall, Eli's room exuded far more character, decorated as it was with the usual pre-teen trappings. The modern bathroom sported a soaker tub and a frosted-glass shower stall. Directly across from the master bedroom, the spare room was also sparsely furnished, with a simple oak dresser, a wicker chair, and a double bed covered with a patchwork quilt.

"Well, this is it. Home sweet home, at least until you catch this bastard." Pausing in the spare room's doorway, Elliot shoved his hands into the pockets of his cargo shorts and watched Olivia as she moved past him, eyes absorbing her accommodations.

"It's really nice El." Absently running her fingers across the smooth wood of the dresser, Olivia dropped her duffel bag on the bed and scanned the room. As if eager to catch her eye, the light lace curtains fluttered in the weak breeze. Pushing them back, she gazed out at a wall of green pines. "It's so peaceful here. I can see why you like it. Must have been nice to get away from the craziness of the city."

"It was, for the most part. Some things were harder to leave behind than others."

Tearing her face from the window, Olivia caught Elliot's light eyes on her and fire instantly spread across her cheeks. In an attempt to cover it, she busied herself unzipping her duffel and rifling through the contents. Inside, the room became painfully quiet. Outside, Elliot's other dog Bandit barked and a small flock of birds darted from one tree to another in a flap of wings.

"I should let you get settled. Mi casa es su casa. Whatever you need." Shoving off the door frame, Elliot straightened and rolled his broad shoulders. "When you're ready, let me know. It's time to introduce you to the neighbors."

The dead end dirt road that connected the houses on the hill was largely devoid of vehicular traffic, serving more as a hiking trail than a thoroughfare. Cicadas sang from the ditches on either side of the road and the thick, leafy canopy above provided much appreciated shelter from the midday sun. Despite that, the heat was still heavy and Olivia could feel a stream of sweat course down her back.

Beside her, Elliot's eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses. His lithe muscles moved easily under his skin and Olivia sluggishly struggled to keep up, reminded once again how out of shape she had become . Ahead of them, Striker and Bandit trotted happily, sniffing the grass on either side of the road, tails wagging in the breeze. Through the trees, random flashes of expensive siding were the only indication of the houses buried back in the woods.

It was close to half an hour before they came across the first person. An older man, he still walked with a spring in his step. He wore a beige Tilley hat, his white beard a sharp contrast against the tan of his face. Spindly legs stuck out from his khaki shorts and he carried a gnarled walking stick at his side. A small Terrier on a leash trotted ahead of him, eyes fixed on the approaching bigger dogs.

"Here we go."

Olivia jumped slightly when Elliot's hand closed around hers, the firm contact sending a shiver down her spine despite the heat. He called the dogs and they wheeled around and trotted back to him, tongues lolling.

The man was less than 10 feet away when he bellowed out a greeting. "Hullo Elliot! How are you on this fine day?"

"I'm good Bert. How about you?" The two men drew to a halt beside each other and Olivia hung back slightly as the dogs sniffed curiously.

"I'm above ground, so it's a good day." The older man had a jolly voice and a warm smile, a thinner, more tan rendition of Santa Claus. Although he spoke in response to Elliot's question, his eyes were locked curiously on Olivia. "And who is this lovely lady? I don't believe we've met."

"This is my girlfriend, Olivia. Olivia, this is Bert Miller. He lives in the house at the end of the road."

Olivia returned the older man's smile with one of her own, extracting her hand from Elliot's just long enough to extend it to Bert. "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine." Bert's sky blue eyes returned to Elliot. "I don't recall you ever mentioning this young lady before."

Elliot grinned, nudging Olivia with an elbow. "She's a well-kept secret. Not one I would be able to keep for much longer though. She's finally agreed to move in with me. It took months and months of convincing, but I finally managed to get her to take the leap."

Bert watched his little dog scamper into the grass for a moment before tugging on its leash to bring it back. "That's probably because she's a classy woman who recognizes that men and women shouldn't live together until they have made a formal commitment to each other." He grinned widely, his teeth yellowing but his eyes bright and twinkling. "So when are you going to make it official Elliot?"

"Yeah El," Olivia replied with a wink and a teasing grin. "When?"

Elliot pretended to tug at the collar of his T-shirt nervously. "Bert, you're getting me in trouble here!"

The trio laughed and Elliot wrapped his arm around Olivia's shoulder in a show of mock affection.

"Well welcome to the community, little lady," Bert declared finally, tipping his hat in Olivia's direction. "I'm sure we'll be seeing you around."

"Not really the best time to have her move in though," Elliot continued smoothly, the muscle in his cheek twitching with barely concealed tension. "You hear about the girl they found in the woods the other day?"

Bert's face darkened, his light eyes clouding over. "I did. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. That poor child. Can you believe that the police had the gall to come around here and insinuate one of the residents of this area may have been responsible?"

Olivia tensed reflexively at the accusation and Elliot squeezed her arm calmly. "Aw, come on Bert, they were just doing their jobs."

Bert's face lightened slightly and a smile danced on the corner of his lips. "Spoken like a true retired cop. All for one and one for all, right Elliot?" He directed his gaze at Olivia again. "Did you know your old man here used to be a decorated detective in Manhattan?"

"I did." Olivia smiled up at Elliot with legitimate affection. "One of the best, so I've heard."

"Such a nice neighborhood," Elliot continued abruptly, as if the conversation of his past vocation had never started. He dropped his arm from around Olivia's shoulders and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Usually very secure, safe. I know I didn't see or hear anything suspicious. How about you Bert?"

The old man shook his head, dislodging beads of sweat from the tip of his nose. "I didn't either. I told those detectives that very clearly. The police are sadly mistaken if they think a resident is responsible for this tragedy. She must have been killed elsewhere and dragged here. Some miscreant from the city, bringing his evil ways to our beautiful neighborhood." Bert shuddered at the thought before tugging on his dog's leash and straightening his shoulders.

"Come on Misty. We should continue with our walk before the true heat of the day hits." Just before he stepped away, Bert's light eyes pierced Olivia's, his jolly face suddenly serious. "No matter who's responsible, you best be careful young lady. There could be a demon lurking in these woods."