Page 25 of Psychic Obsession
Nikolai stared at him, then he glanced at Frode.He still wasn't sure he believed Frode was psychic, but if what Hjalmar said was true, he didn't envy him.He didn't think he'd ever pitied a psychic, but not being able to switch off a fucking lamp in your own home without seeing things sounded awful.
* * * *
Frode hated having lunch with people he didn't know.He hated having lunch with anyone other than Hjalmar, but today he was pleased with himself.Mallon, Dubose, and Saylor were nice enough, and instead of being hostile about his skill, they were asking questions about it.
Normally, he hated answering questions, but it sure beat having to sit with Nikolai.
"Maybe you should come work for us."Dubose, he'd already forgotten her first name, grinned at him."We could include photos or composite drawings of people who's touched things in every report."
Frode shuddered."I only agree to touching one thing a day, so it would take some time to go through an entire crime scene."
"Hmm.Yeah.Still, though.If we have a murder weapon, you could touch it, and we could give the detective the person they have togo find."
Frode nodded while chewing and swallowing thelast of his food."They still need evidence.My say-so doesn't hold up in court."
She shrugged."I understand why it has to be like that, but if you can pick the guilty one out of a line-up, it should count for something."
Before he could answer, Hjalmar appeared by his side.He nodded at the others around the table."Ready to go?"
He was.He'd been ready to leave before he entered."Sure."
"We should get going too."Saylor smiled at him."It was great seeing you again, Frode."
"Yeah, you too."Not so much, but he was grateful for the escape Saylor had provided, so he smiled."See you around."He jumped to his feet.
"Maybe we could--"
"Have a lovely afternoon, y'all."Frode waved at the table like an idiot before walking ahead of Hjalmar toward the door."You've paid, right?"He glanced at Hjalmar over his shoulder and took in the half-exasperated, half-amused expression.
"Yeah, I've paid."
Frode pushed the door open.
"You know, I think Saylor was about to--"
"I can take a cab back.You don't have to drive me."His attention was on Hjalmar, so he almost collided with Nikolai who was lurking outside the door."Fuck."Frode jumped to the side.
"Sorry."Nikolai didn't look sorry, and Frode glared.
Hjalmar shook his head."Frode, I think Saylor wanted to--"
"Will you come back to the station with me?"Nikolai reached for Frode's shoulder, but he sidestepped.
"What?No."
"Come on, Frode.Isaac is pissed at me, and it would help my work environment a lot if you agreed to work with us."
"Maybe you should ask for a transfer."How easy was it for a detective to change workplace?
Nikolai grinned at him."Nope.I need to catch this fucker."
Frode knew nothing about the case, but the stakes were pretty high in homicide.It wasn't shoplifters they were trying to catch.He crossed his arms over his chest."What is it you want me to touch?"
Nikolai winced."We should talk about it back at the precinct."
"Medlin didn't want to say what it was, and when I reiterated I won't touch anything I've listed in my contract, he got cagey.If it's something I've listed, I won't do it."
"I haven't seen your list."
