Nikolai was fiddling with the pen in his hand.It had taken him about thirty seconds to realize he liked Agent Ramirez but most likely would leave Agent Green to bleed to death in a ditch if the chance ever presented itself.He was an ass, and he couldn't say Frode's name without sneering.
Even Isaac lost his temperwith him.
They'd gone through everything they had several times.It was bordering on absurd, and Nikolai was more than ready to get out of here.He wanted to check on Frode.He'd sent him a text but hadn't gotten a reply.Which most likely meant Frode was sleeping.
It was good, he needed to rest, but Nikolai wanted to be there to make sure he had everything he needed.
"So what you're telling us is you have the murderers, but you haven't brought them in for questioning?"Green looked between Isaac and Nikolai.
"We were about to bring Altman in, but then Lieutenant Medlin told us you'd be taking over, so we figured we'd let you make the call."Isaac kept a pleasant smile on his lips.Nikolai didn't think Green realized it was faked.
"And what did you plan to talk to him about?"The mocking tone made Nikolai want to punch him, and he suspected Ramirez was a mind reader because he grimaced and took a step forward.
"What Agent Green means is--"
"Mr.Neace confirmed he sold the rug to Altman.Our plan was to ask him about it."Isaac's tone was still pleasant, and he ended the statement with another faked smile.
Nikolai had had enough of this."Since you know best, we'll leave you to it."He dropped the pen on the table and stood."I have better things to do."
"Better things than to catch a killer?"Green glared at him.
"Better things than to entertain your pathetic dick-measuring competition.You're here.Do your fucking job.We've handed you the names of the killers, if you want to let them continue to carve up women, then it's on you."He calmly pushed his chair in."Isaac?"
Isaac stood, allowing the plastered-on smile to melt away."Oh, thank fuck."He bounced a little and stepped closer to Nikolai."If I have to endure another second of this posturing, I fear the fragile masculinity will rub off on me."Isaac shuddered exaggeratedly."What do you want to do?"
"Check on Frode.These idiots won't do anything to keep him safe."
Green growled, but the loudest sound in the room was Ramirez sighing.
Isaac ignored them both."I'm fine with checking on Frode.Did you call him?"
"Texted, but he didn't reply."Nikolai grabbed the door handle and pushed the door open.Medlin was standing outside with a cup of coffee in his hand.He raised an eyebrow at Nikolai when he walked out.
"How's it going?"
Nikolai closed the door behind him to keep Green and Ramirez from listening."It's not.We're going to go check on Frode.I'm worried and they've kept us here far too long despite me having expressed my concern about him."
Medlin nodded, glanced at the closed door, and grimaced."I'm sorry."
It made Nikolai hesitate."About what?It's not your fault they're here."
"Nah, but I dragged it out, and I think they're punishing me by sending Green."
Nikolai barked a laugh."Would they?"
Medlin shrugged."I should've handed the case over the moment we knew we had a serial killer on our hands, but I didn't.They don't take too kindly to something like that.My only blessing is that the press haven't connected the dots yet."
It was strange they hadn't, wasn't it?"Why haven't they?"
Medlin took a sip of coffee."We've managed to keep the details within these walls.They've reported on women having been found murdered in their homes, but the slit throats, the rugs, them living alone, and so on have been kept quiet."He looked between them."Maybe it's time to let them know."
Nikolai narrowed his eyes."Would it help the case?"
"Do the press ever help?"
He was shaking his head before he could consider the question.
"But it could buy us a favor with the media in the future.Do you have a connection with any reporter or journalist in town?"
