Page 31 of Psychic Obsession
"Who?"
"The forensic artist.They know each other, have worked together many times.I doubt Frode is up for it today, though."
Nikolai frowned."We have to act fast before he forgets."If he had seen anything at all.
Isaac stared at him."Forgets?"Then he shook his head and headed toward the room.Nikolai had the feeling Isaac wasn't happy with him either.He sighed and followed.
In the room, Frode had both his gloves on and was eating raisins."You touched my glove."His voice was thin and shaky as he glared at Isaac.
"Sorry.You threw up, and I didn't want it to get...soaked."He grimaced.
Frode nodded."I have new ones at home."
"Sorry."
A barely-there shrug.
Nikolai didn't speak, and no one was looking at him.
Isaac took a deep breath."Can you tell us anything?"
"Many people have touched the rug."
"Yeah, I got that early on.Sorry."
Hjalmar snarled, and Isaac winced."I'm sorry.We shouldn't have."
"Damn right, you shouldn't have!When he says no, you listen."He whirled on Nikolai."You don't fucking push!"
Nikolai opened his mouth to defend himself, but Hjalmar was in his face before he had a chance."And don't you fucking dare try to make it sound as if it wasn't your fault.I know you.I know you insulted him until he agreed.I know how you act, but I never believed you'd do it to my brother."He thumped a fist against his chest, then a mix of a huff and a laugh left him as he shook his head."I never got it.I tried to get Frode to like you, tried to get him to hang out with us.You were my best fucking friend growing up.How could it be my brother disappeared every time you came around?"
"Hey!"Nikolai raised his hands, but he didn't have more to say.Hehadinsulted Frode until he'd agreed.He'd said no, and Nikolai had pushed, had been rude because it was a tactic that often worked.People got angry and wanted to prove him wrong or said things they hadn't meant to say.Was he a dick?Sure.Did he make many friends?No.But it worked.
"We're leaving."Hjalmar turned around and focused on Frode."Are you able to stand?"
Frode nodded but didn't move.His hands were shaking, and while he wasn't actively sweating anymore, his hair was still damp.
"Did you bite your tongue?"Nikolai's voice was raspy."Isaac said there was blood on your lip before you threw up."
Confused dark eyes met Nikolai's, then Frode licked his lips, frowned and moved his tongue around inside his mouth."Cheek.Not too bad."
Hjalmar sighed."Come on.Food, water, sleep, shower."He grabbed Frode's arm and pulled him off the chair.He wobbled as if drunk, and when his legs threatened to fold, Hjalmar wound an arm around Frode's waist and glared at Nikolai.
For fuck's sake.It wasn't his fault.
"Can I call you later, Frode?"Isaac spoke softly.
"Sure, should be fun."
Isaac smiled, and Nikolai held in a sigh as Hjalmar helped Frode out of the room.
"Now what?"He directed the question to Isaac, who shrugged.
"See if he can give us anything to go on.But maybe we aren't equipped for a case of this size.I'm surprised there isn't someone federal coming to take it from us."
He didn't sound too bothered by the prospect of handing the case over.Nikolai wanted to nail this fucker.He didn't want some agent strolling in and taking over.
"How soon can Frode touch the second rug?"
