Page 44 of Psychic Obsession
"She was murdered, and we think it's the same guy."
Something cold slithered through Frode.Had the murderer been here?This close to his home?"In the white house?"He didn't see it because of the rise in the ground, but it wasn't far.
"Yes."Nikolai's tone was a little softer.
"Today?"Or yesterday, when he'd been out cold and unable to defend himself, if someone had come into his house.Thank fuck Hjalmar had been there.
"No, the body wasn't fresh.We believe back in February, but the forensic team is working on the report."
"Fuck."
Nikolai nodded."Do you remember anything weird in February?"
"No, I...eh...don't pay much attention to what's going on out here."
"You haven't noticed her not driving past?"
He stared at Nikolai."I have no idea what kind of car she drove."
"Do you know what she did for a living?If she had friends, family, and so on?"
Frode wanted to laugh at him, but a woman was dead, and it was not funny."Sorry.I couldn't even tell you what she looked like."
"Okay."Nikolai dropped his shoulders."How are you feeling today?"
"I'm okay.Gonna go inside and cook now.Hjalmar will be here around seven."
Nikolai studied him, and he wanted to squirm, which was silly.
"We'll be in touch."
He imagined so."Have a good night, detectives."
Frode walked into the house and kicked off his shoes.He found a hair tie and gathered his hair in a messy bun before heading for the kitchen to see what he'd be able to scramble together for dinner.
* * * *
Nikolai dropped Isaac off at the station, then he headed for Hjalmar's apartment.He didn't know if he'd be there, but if he went home between work and going to Frode, then maybe.
He wanted to see Frode, and if he met up with Hjalmar, he might get invited.A little stalkerish, sure, but Hjalmar was the kind of guy who asked you to tag along to places, whereas Frode was likely to shut the door in your face and lock it.
Finding a parking spot wasn't easy, but he managed to grab one a block away and walked toward Hjalmar's building with rapid steps.He wanted to forget this day.
Waiting wasn't something he was good at, but he had to give the forensic team some time.
He jogged up the stairs to the third floor to Hjalmar's apartment and knocked on the door.
No reply.
Fuck.He didn't want to head home.Three months, and his apartment was still like something belonging to a stranger.An image of his and Julian's house flashed before his eyes.The soft colors, plush rugs, and matching decor--all Julian's doing.He'd believed he'd contributed, but judging by how barren and uninviting his place was, he'd have to go with no.There were still moving boxes stacked along one wall in his living room.He didn't know what was in them.Julian had packed them.He'd unpacked his clothes and kitchen things but hadn't used anything else.
"Nikolai?"
He jumped and spun around to find Hjalmar coming toward him.His muscles relaxed, and he sighed."Hi."
"What are you doing here?"
"I dropped Elmore off and...didn't want to go home."
