Ramirez had returned about half an hour ago, and despite having tried to get Green to go back with him to the station several times, Green stood firm.
"Again."
"Oh, for fuck's sake!I don't know what else I can tell you.I jogged up the stairs, someone came up behind me, I jumped out of his way and pushed him.He fell.I saw something metallic in his hand, drew my gun, and kicked the hand.Then I told the kid to call the police, but when I was distracted, Saylor somehow got hold of another scalpel with his left hand and cut my calf."
"You knew it was Saylor then?"
Nikolai frowned and tried to remember.He'd described the same order of events so many times now he wasn't sure what he'd known and not."Yes.I drew my gun, told him to freeze and that I was police, and I met his gaze.I saw it was Saylor.Then the kid came out of the apartment."
"And you shot him when?"
"When he cut me."
"Great.It's all we need for now."Ramirez stepped between Green and Nikolai.Green protested, but Ramirez grabbed his shoulders and spun him around."We'll be in touch, Nesterova.Don't leave the city."
Nikolai rolled his eyes but slid off the examination table and hobbled toward the door.He was done with this day.
"Detective Nesterova?"
He almost snarled but turned and spotted a nurse coming toward him in the corridor."Yes."
She held out some papers."Instructions on how to care for the wound."She looked down at his throbbing leg."Don't move around.You need to take it easy for a day or two to make sure it doesn't start to bleed again."
He nodded."I'm only heading upstairs to the surgery floor.My boyfriend is there, on bed rest.Got stabbed in the stomach."It was the first time he'd called Frode his boyfriend, and he didn't know if he was allowed to.They'd spent two nights together.Maybe it was too early to put a name on it.
"May I suggest you keep away from knives in the future, both of you."
"It was scalpels in both cases, done by the same man."
She grimaced."Do you need help?"
He forced a smile onto his lips."I'll be okay, thank you.I'm only going to the elevator then it isn't far once I get up there."
She reached out and patted his arm."Be careful."
He nodded and hobbled toward the elevator.
He was sweaty and shaky when he reached Frode's room, which was stupid.It was only a cut; nothing like what Frode had been forced to endure.
"Nico."Frode's voice cracked, and he hurried inside, trying not to grimace as his leg throbbed.
"Hey, baby."He leaned over the bed and kissed Frode's forehead, but when he tried to move away, Frode clung to his arm.
"What happened?"
Nikolai squeezed his hand."Let me sit."
Hjalmar and Isaac moved out of his way so he could sit in the armchair.He removed his shoes and rested his feet on Frode's bed.His leg still throbbed, the anesthesia melting away by the second.He grimaced.
"Are you in pain?"Hjalmar watched him with narrowed eyes.
"Anesthesia is fading and walking here was a bit much.I'll be fine, though."
Frode didn't look happy, so Nikolai smiled at him."I'm okay, promise."
"What did Green say?"Isaac grinned at him.
"What happened with Saylor?"Frode spoke before he could answer Isaac's question.
