Page 72 of Psychic Obsession
"Checking him out?"
"Nothing says a serial killer can't be gay.Frode is a nice-looking guy, right?If you're into the disheveled look."
"Disheveled?"
Isaac waved a hand."All I'm saying is we might have a gay, broccoli-loving serial killer on our hands.He doesn't rape the victims."
"I don't think we should assume he's gay simply because he doesn't rape his victims.I'm sure there are many straight men who don't rape women."
Isaac slapped his stomach only to hiss at the impact and shake his hand."Fuck, you're not supposed to have a hard stomach."
They watched as the killer headed toward the checkout."You think he was done shopping or he's running after having seen Frode?"Isaac stared at the screen as the guy held his card up to the reader in the self-checkout."He went directly from the freezer to the exit."
He had, but there hadn't been many items in his basket."I don't think it was his weekly shopping trip.Maybe he only needed broccoli."
"Maybe."Isaac hopped back in time to fifteen minutes before Frode had arrived, and they scanned the feed anew.They waited for a few minutes, then the killer entered the store.
"There he is."Nikolai watched as the fucker grabbed a shopping basket and walked past the fresh produce.He walked slower before the encounter with Frode, if they could call it an encounter, so maybe he had gotten spooked by someone looking at him.
"I'll go see if we can get his information from the checkout system."Isaac got up and headed for the door.All Nikolai did was nod and kept watching the creep.He looked at Frode several times while he talked to Ashley.He didn't pay Ashley any attention, so she should be safe, but his gaze kept coming back to Frode.
Maybe it was attraction.Or maybe he knew who Frode was.Cold sweat prickled on his skin.What if he was fascinated by psychics?A groupie.He'd scoffed at Frode's choice of words.Maybe he should ask Saylor if he knew about all the psychics in town and how easily accessible the information was.
"We're good to go."
He jumped at Isaac's voice."Yeah?"
"Yes.I have his loyalty program info."Isaac's grin was wide.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Nope, Nathaniel Altman.He likes his discounts and personalized coupons."
Nikolai gaped at him."How can he be so stupid?He knows not to leave a fucking fingerprint or a single hair at a crime scene, but he shops with a card linked to a loyalty program?"How did he manage not to leave anything at a crime scene?Marshmallow suit?Could civilians get hold of marshmallow suits?
"Hopefully, it's not too good to be true."Isaac pocketed the printed paper."They'll send a copy of the CCTV over to the station.Let's go tell Medlin."
Nikolai nodded, still a little stunned.
"Cheer up, Nesterova."
"I am cheerful.We still need evidence, though."
"I know, but now we can watch him."
They headed back to the station.Nikolai was disappointed to find Frode had left but not surprised.
They informed Medlin and got to work gathering all the information they could about Nathaniel Altman.No partner, no children, moved to Berg three years ago."He's a fucking teacher."Nikolai glared at the screen of his laptop.
"Likes auctions, both online one and physical ones."Isaac didn't look up from his screen."No Facebook profile in his real name."
"Sam said the guy had a weird name and a cartoon as profile picture."Nikolai pursed his lips."Shall we go talk to him?"
"And say what?"
"The truth."
Isaac stared at him."The truth?"
