Page 88 of Psychic Obsession
Elmore glanced toward the room where they had all the photos and timelines from the four cases."You think there are two suspects?"
Frode nodded.
"But the second person didn't touch the rug?"
"I'm not sure.I need to see the order of touches."
Something hard crept into Nikolai's eyes."You think the mechanic is in on it?"
"Not sure.I need to touch another rug."
"Fuck."Nikolai ran a hand through his hair."Hjalmar will come here, and we'll go there together."Nikolai glanced at Elmore."Can you call to warn Saylor?He doesn't like me."
Elmore beamed and did his normal puppy bounce as he moved over to his desk.
"How often do these hunches of yours pan out?"
Frode shook his head.He had nothing to support his theory other than a feeling.
* * * *
Nikolai didn't like this, and he could tell Hjalmar didn't like it either.Frode was a ball of nerves, jittery and withdrawn.Isaac walked silently by Frode's side while Hjalmar and Nikolai took the lead.
He was starting to resent the forensic department.
They did a good job, and they were vital in all their investigations, but they were short on smiles and welcoming words.
"Bakke."Dubose stuck her head out of one of the rooms and smiled warmly.
Okay, so maybe it was Nikolai they didn't have any smiles for.It didn't matter.He was here to do a job, not make friends.
"Maeve, how are you today?"Hjalmar stopped and gave her a panty-dropping grin.Fucker.
"Better now."She winked, but Nikolai could tell she didn't mean it."You here for a rug?"
"How did you know?"Hjalmar was still smiling.
"Good news travel fast.Jaxon is bringing it to one of the rooms."She gestured farther down the corridor.Who the fuck was Jaxon?Nikolai sent a questioning look at Elmore who mouthedSaylorback at him.Nikolai sighed.Of course it would be Saylor who brought the rug.
"What do you remember from when you arrived at the crime scene?"
Nikolai focused on Hjalmar.It wasn't his investigation.He shouldn't be asking questions, but Nikolai kept his mouth shut.
Dubose made a face."It was a messy one.It always is when they've been left to decompose for as long as this one had."
"Yeah.Did you enter first?"
"Two officers were there.Mallon was the first to arrive from this department.He was nearby, so he arrived before the rest of the team."
Before anyone could say anything else, Saylor walked into the corridor from one of the rooms farther down."I have it set up in here."His voice was loud, and his eyes were glinting with excitement.
Frode took a step forward.Nikolai was about to touch him, when he reached for Hjalmar."You and me?"
Hjalmar nodded."Of course."He then turned to everyone else."Right, people.Frode and I will go in there so he can do his thing in peace--"
"No."There was desperation in Saylor's tone, and everyone stared at him.He straightened his back and cleared his throat."This is our department.One of us should be there."
Frode sent Nikolai a look he couldn't interpret, then he looked at Dubose."Fine.Dubose, do you have a couple of minutes?"
