Page 56 of Psychic Obsession
Nikolai closed the door behind him."Did you sell a rug some months ago?"
"What?"
Nikolai realized they didn't know how long the murderer had hung onto the rug.Frode saw the touches in chronological order, but it could've been months between touches if the rug had been in storage."Do you remember selling a rug?"
Sam widened his eyes and shook his head, but it was more in a gesture of disbelief than a denial."A rug?"
Nikolai switched tactics, opened the folder, and pulled out the composite drawings.He placed both of them on the messy desk."We have a psychic working with the department.He helped us look into a rug connected to a murder--" A quick intake of breath from Sam."--and this is what he gave us."Nikolai motioned at the drawings.
"I didn't kill anyone."The fear was palpable.
"He never said you did.This--" Nikolai tapped a finger at the suspect."--is the man we're interested in talking to, but all we have is his picture, no name, no idea where he works, or if he's in our jurisdiction.Our psychic sees in which order people touches things, and he saw you touch it, then this man, then the victim.We need to talk to him."And lock him up for good.
Sam opened his mouth, closed it, and shook his head."I sold him the rug.It wasn't anything special, we're talking a few dollars, but my wife lost her job and...instead of throwing it away."He shrugged.
"What can you tell us about him?"
"Nothing.I put up an ad on Facebook Marketplace.He had some made-up name and a cartoon as his profile picture--if it was his account at all.He came to pick the rug up, paid cash."
Fuck."Did you get the feeling he lives here?"
Sam was quiet for some time."Yeah.Can't be sure of course, but he talked about how annoying it was that they'd blocked off the southern exit, and how he had to take a detour to work every day.Could've been total bullshit."
"Yes, but it's something.Do you remember why it was blocked?"
"They built a roundabout.It's been done for months now."
Nikolai glanced at Isaac.He hadn't been here then.Isaac nodded."Yeah, I remember.It was a bit tricky to get onto the freeway for a few weeks."
"Right."Sam nodded.
"So it's likely he lives somewhere near the southern exit?"
Both Isaac and Sam shrugged, and Nikolai nodded because yeah, the man could've been chitchatting to not raise any suspicions.He focused on Sam again."He didn't say where he worked?"
"He stood on my doorstep for a minute, two at the most."
Nikolai offered his hand."Thank you for your help, Mr...."
"Neace."Sam shook the offered hand while Isaac fished out a card.
"If anything comes to mind, don't hesitate to call us.Anything.The tiniest detail might help."
Sam accepted the card but didn't say anything.
They saw themselves out.
"Not much to go on."Isaac fastened the seat belt and avoided his gaze.
Nikolai grunted.At least they had confirmation the suspect had bought the rug from Sam.
* * * *
Frode was reheating a plate of yesterday's lasagna when headlights streamed in through his kitchen window and a black Audi rolled down his driveway.He groaned.What the fuck was Nikolai doing here?
He put the plate in the microwave, started it, and headed toward the hallway.Nikolai stepped out of the car when Frode opened the door."What are you doing here?"
"Good evening to you too."
