Eight hours later, Rossi and Reid were deplaning into an icy cold Reno, Nevada. Garcia had made arrangements for a rental car, and had also sent directions to the Lake Tahoe Hospital to their cell phones.
"Can't you drive any faster?" Reid urged, as they left the airport.
"My FBI credentials may get me many things," Rossi told him as he navigated the snowy mountain road. "But, I hate to use up all my credits on a speeding ticket. We have time to get to Lake Tahoe before the hospital's Administration Office closes for the day."
When they finally reached the hospital, Rossi pulled into the Emergency Entrance parking lot and, before he had finished parking, Reid had leapt out of the car. As Rossi got out of the vehicle, he could see the young agent jumping over snow banks as he raced towards the building.
"I need to talk to the Hospital Administrator!" Reid was demanding as Rossi walked through the door. "Now – It's important!" He was waving his FBI credentials in the air.
"Sir, please, calm down!" the receptionist was trying to determine what was going on. "If you will tell me what you need, I'll try to assist you."
Rossi walked up to the desk and pulled out his FBI credentials. "We're here about the Nielson twins," he explained. "We are trying to track them and their mother."
"The twins?" the receptionist's ears perked up. "That was quick. Let me call." She picked up a phone and pushed a button. "There is someone here about the twins," she spoke into the receiver.
"Ms. Peterson, from Child Protective Services will be right out to see you," she told the two agents.
"Child Protective Services?" Reid's voice was getting progressively louder. "Why do we need to talk to her? What is wrong?"
"I'm sure she will explain everything when she gets here," the receptionist replied.
Within minutes, an efficient-looking, older woman appeared, carrying a file folder full of paperwork. "That was quick," she commented. "I only left the message an hour or so ago."
"What message?" Rossi asked.
The woman looked at the two agents. "You are here about the Nielson twins, aren't you?" she asked.
"Yes, where are they?" Reid demanded.
"You are?" the woman questioned.
"Dr. Spencer Reid," Reid brandished his credentials. "And this is Agent David Rossi, and we demand to know what is going on!"
"Calm down Dr. Reid," the woman held her hand up. "I just need to verify that I am speaking with the right person."
"I'm Ms. Peterson, of Child Protective Services," she introduced herself. "And, I think we should continue this conversation in the privacy of my office. This way please." She led the way down the hall.
"Dave?" Reid was pleading.
"Let's just go with her," Rossi counseled. "Apparently, there is something going on we don't know about."
The two agents followed Ms. Peterson down the hall and into her office, and then waited patiently while she closed the door.
"Sit down, please," she invited them as she took a seat behind her desk.
Reid looked as if he was about to protest, but was cut off by Rossi.
"Thank you," he said, sitting in one of the indicated chairs. "Now, if you would like to fill Dr. Reid and myself in on what is going on?"
"First, I'll need to see some ID," Ms. Peterson said. "Just procedure, you understand."
The agents handed over their credentials.
"I'll need to photocopy these," Ms. Peterson told them, turning to a photocopy machine on the credenza behind her desk.
"Why?" Reid demanded.
"For my files. So I have proof that you were here and that I spoke with you," Ms. Peterson replied, speaking slowly as if Reid was having difficulty understanding her. "Also, I'll need proof that I released the babies to the proper person."
"Released the babies?" Rossi was stunned. "You mean they're here?"