Page 45 of Psychic Obsession
Hjalmar's expression softened."Rough day?"
"Frode's neighbor is soup on a rug."Nikolai rubbed his face as the stench he hadn't been able to clear all day grew stronger.It was an illusion, but he had to fight a gag.
"Frode's neighbor?"
"White house on the other side of the hump.He didn't know her.We talked to everyone who lived nearby, and Frode knew nothing about her."
Hjalmar nodded but looked grim."How did he take it?"
"He looked scared when he asked if it'd happened today, but when he learned she'd been dead for some time he relaxed."
Another nod."You don't think he's aware of Frode, do you?"He looked around the corridor and got his keys out of his pocket.When he'd unlocked the door, he motioned for Nikolai to enter.
"I don't think so.Saylor said he'd look at the rug.I'll most likely have photos tomorrow and can start digging, but for now..."He waved a hand."I think the rugs are the connection, and I don't think it has anything to do with Frode."He took a breath."We have no confirmation yet, but I think she was killed in February, so it was before we brought in Frode."
Some tension left Hjalmar."Right.Of course.It's only...his fucking neighbor."
"Yeah, I know."
Nikolai waited, hoping Hjalmar would say something.Offer him a drink or suggest he go with him to Frode.
"Did you see Yeager's sketch?"
Nikolai straightened."Is it in?"He fumbled to get his phone.
"I don't know.I called Frode when he was on his way back from there."
It would give him something to do.Searching for the fucker would beat sitting alone in his apartment.There was nothing in his inbox, no missed call from Yeager, and no messages."Nothing."
"Maybe he didn't have time to send them over before the end of the day."
Nikolai glared at him."It takes two minutes."
Hjalmar shrugged."I'm gonna shower, then I'm off to Frode's.Wanna come?"
Yes, yes, he did, but he couldn't let Hjalmar know this was what he'd hoped for when he'd come here."Come with you into the shower?"He slid his gaze over Hjalmar in a suggestive manner."I don't know man, you're not my type."
"Fuck you."
"Nah, I prefer to top."
Hjalmar gave him an unimpressed look."Really, you have bottom written all over you."
Nikolai barked a laugh."I do?"
"Yeah."
"What do you know about it?I don't think I've met a straighter person than you."
Hjalmar shrugged."I have a gay brother."
"I'm well aware."
"Yeah, you are, aren't you?"
Nikolai didn't know how to interpret the tone.
"Frode's verse."
