Page 35 of Psychic Obsession
Nikolai stared at him.Had he had food delivered to Frode before?
"Thank you, but I'm heading back there now.I only wanted to tell you Frode won't be working anymore on this case, and he won't work with Nesterova in the future."
"I'm coming with you."Nikolai turned toward the door, ready to go get his jacket.
"The hell you are.He doesn't want you in his house."
"Either I'm coming with you or I'll drive after you.Deal with it."Maybe driving after would be best so they had separate cars.
Hjalmar gave him a long, hard stare, then he stomped out of the office.Nikolai met Medlin's gaze."I'll check on him."
He got a sigh in reply.
* * * *
Frode blinked his eyes open and groaned at the splitting headache.He quickly squeezed his eyes together again.
"Frode?"Hjalmar's voice was coming from nearby.
"Mmm."He didn't know if he made a loud enough noise to be heard.
"Are you awake?"
Was he?Sleep was tugging at him, and he wanted to sink into it, but right as he was about to, a wave of nausea washed over him.It came on so fast, there would be no stopping it.He rolled off the couch without opening his eyes, landed on hands and knees, and prayed Hjalmar hadn't moved any furniture whilehe'd been out.
"Frode!"
He got to his feet and scrambled forward toward the bathroom.He squinted with one eye to make sure he was heading in the right direction at the same time as he swallowed furiously to keep the bile down long enough to make it to the toilet.
The sun had set, so the bathroom was dark, but he didn't bother with the lights.He dropped to his knees hard enough to leave bruises, flung the lid open, and ejected the few bites of chicken he'd managed to eat before.
He could sense Hjalmar standing behind him.He gagged once more, then breathed heavily as he sat back on his heels.A glass of water appeared in front of him, and he accepted it with a sound of appreciation.He hoped Hjalmar knew it was a sound of appreciation.
Rinsing his mouth, he spit into the toilet, got to his feet, closed the lid, and flushed."Fuck."The glass clinked against the sink as he put it down and reached for his toothbrush.
Hjalmar said nothing but remained in the bathroom.
Frode clung to the sink while brushing his teeth in sluggish motions.
"You up for food?"Hjalmar's voice was hardly louder than a whisper.
"What time is it?"
"A quarter to nine."
Ugh, he'd been out for hours.He spat and rinsed his mouth."You should head home."
"Frode."There was concern and reprimand wrapped into one.
They didn't speak for several long moments, then Hjalmar sighed."Food, will it stay down or come back up again?"
Frode patted his pockets for a box of raisins but came up empty.He must've put them on the coffee table.
Hjalmar left the bathroom and came back seconds later with the opened red box he'd brought to the station earlier.He accepted it with a smile, though he doubted Hjalmar could see it in the dim light.Raisin mixed with toothpaste wasn't great, but he ate a few and drank a glass of water.
"Okay?"
He didn't think his stomach was about to turn itself inside out."Fantastic."
