Nikolai scrunched his nose."He attacked me on the stairs.I don't know if he snuck in after me or was waiting near the basement or what.I didn't see him when I entered."He didn't go into detail but told Frode and Hjalmar what had happened.Isaac most likely knew already.Then he told Isaac about the interrogation with Green, and how Ramirez finally had enough, grabbed him, and walked them out of there.
"Ramirez was pretty nice when he was here."Frode glanced at Hjalmar as if to make sure he hadn't dreamed up Ramirez.Hjalmar shrugged in reply, which made Nikolai believe he had been.Hjalmar would've thrown him out otherwise.
"I need to get going if I'm gonna make it to the airport in time."Hjalmar patted Frode's shoulder, then he looked at Nikolai."You'll be here?"
"Yeah, I don't think I'll be walking anymore today."
Hjalmar nodded."Want me to bring you clean clothes?"He nodded toward Nikolai's blood-soaked jeans.
"That would be great."
Hjalmar held his hand out, and it took Nikolai a moment to realize he wanted his keys.He handed them over, and Hjalmar left.Isaac only stayed a couple of minutes longer before saying he'd head to the station and see how many people Green had upset, and if Medlin needed his help.
A few seconds later, he and Frode were alone in the room.
"How are you feeling?"Nikolai wanted to crawl into bed with him, but he didn't think it was a good idea.
"Exhausted."
Nikolai nodded and gently rubbed his thigh with his foot."Rest, darling.It's over.Nothing else will happen."
"I know, but then it's like I forget and fear washes over me."
Nikolai nodded.He suspected it was a natural reaction to having been stabbed."There is still a police officer out in the corridor, Saylor is being watched, and I'm here."
"What about you?Are you...will you go back to work?"
"Not today.The nurse said I should be careful with my leg for a day or two, and Medlin told me to stay here.I'll talk to him tomorrow and see if I need to go in for something, but I think I'll have a few calm days."
Frode bit his lip."Do you know how long I need to stay here?"
Shaking his head, he caressed Frode's thigh with his foot again."No, I don't think they've said.The surgery went well, and you were lucky the blade didn't puncture anything vital, but there is a pretty high risk of infection, so they're gonna keep you until they know you'll be okay.I suspect several days.A week maybe."
"Ugh, I'm already bored."
Nikolai grinned."I'm glad you're well enough to be bored."
Frode gave him a soft smile."It's all pretty scary, huh?"
"Fucking terrifying."
"But we're fine."Frode reached down and patted his ankle."We'll be fine.You'll go back to catching killers, and I'll go back to reading bullet casings for Hjalmar.Easy work.No more rugs."
"No more rugs."
They shared a look, then Frode looked around."Has no one brought me raisins?"
Nikolai chuckled."I'll text Hjalmar."He got his phone out.
"Are we...Mom and Dad will be here in a while, and I don't know what to tell them."
"About what?"Nikolai typed out a text to Hjalmar and hit send.
"Us.Are we...like dating or what?"
Nikolai took in the blank face."We're whatever you want to call it."
Frode huffed."So...seeing each other?"
