"Want to come over for dinner?"It wasn't often Frode invited him.Hjalmar tended to show up, and Frode fed him, but he rarely issued an invitation.
"I'd love to.When?"
Frode's mind went into overdrive.He had hardly any groceries at home, so he'd need to do some shopping."Seven?"
"Count me in."
"Okay, good.See you then."
They hung up, and Frode stared out the window and groaned at himself.He didn't want to go grocery shopping.
Grabbing his car keys, he headed for the door.
There were people everywhere in the grocery store.Frode zigzagged past them as best he could and picked up some chicken.He'd make some spicy Brazilian coconut chicken with rice.It was easy, quick, and both Hjalmar and he liked spicy food.
As he reached the checkout line, someone called his name.Never good.
He turned.Slowly.Reluctantly.And was surprised to find the cute forensic guy smiling at him.What was his name?Something cool."Saylor?"
His smile widened."You know who I am?"
Huh, they'd never been introduced.Was it normal to call out for someone in the grocery store if you'd never spoken to them in real life?
Something in Frode's expression must have given his thoughts away because Saylor winced and ducked his head, looking bashful."Sorry, I know this is weird.I only wanted to..."He waved a hand.
"Okay."
Saylor grinned and glanced at Frode's gloves."Erm...How did you know who I am?"His eyes glowed with interest as they jumped between Frode's hands and his face.Frode didn't think it was attraction, more like he was one of those weird people who had a thing for psychics.
"I often see your face when I do readings.You touch things."
Surprise overtook his face."I always wear protective gear not to contaminate the evidence."
Frode nodded."Yeah.Doesn't stop my hands from reading your touch, though."
"Oh, wow."There was a quiver in his voice."I've heard, but I wasn't sure...So you don't need fingerprints or anything to be able to tell if someone's touched an item?"
Frode was getting a little uncomfortable.He normally didn't talk about what he could and could not do apart from when he was telling the person who'd called him in to do a reading."I don't, but my word doesn't hold up in court, so you still need the evidence."
Saylor waved a hand."Yes, of course.It's...cool, you know.I mean, I've heard you could, but I didn't know for sure."
It was not cool, and who the hell had talked about his skill with Saylor, but Frode nodded.
"Right."Saylor gave a nervous laugh."I'll let you go back to what you were--" He gestured at his groceries."I got excited when I saw you and acted before I could stop myself."His smile was charming, but Frode had liked him better when he was no more than a pretty face flashing past in his readings.Typical.
He nodded."Have a lovely evening."Then he headed for the checkout before Saylor could say anything else.
* * * *
Chapter 4
Nikolai had missed Saylor the day before.He'd gone to the forensics department only to be told Saylor had left for the day, so he was heading there now, morning coffee in hand and a bad night's sleep weighing his limbs down.
As he pushed open the door, he was met by an attractive man in his mid-thirties.
"Detective Nesterova."The man smiled, and it took a second before Nikolai realized it was the same man who'd been in the marshmallow suit.
"Saylor."Nikolai offered his hand to shake."I was looking for you."
