"Can you come in so we can discuss it?"
Did it mean it was something he had listed as ano-go, but Medlin would try to talk him into doing it anyway?"I won't do anything mentioned on my list."
"Come in, and we'll talk."
Fucker.It was something on the list.He was sure of it."I don't know."
"For fuck's sake, Bakke.People are being murdered, and my investigators are stuck."
People died all the time."Fine.When?"
"Can you come now?"
He didn't want to."Sure."
"Good.See you in a bit."
Frode sighed and hung up.He booked a cab right away, then he called Hjalmar.It rang several times, which was unusual.Right as he believed the call would go to voicemail, it connected."Frode?"Hjalmar was out of breath.
"Are you running?"
"At the gym."
Oh...Frode checked the time."In the middle of the day?"
"Needed a break."
"Right."
Hjalmar breathed hard, then it sounded as if he took a swallow of water."What's up?"
"Medlin called."
"Oh, fuck."
"Yeah, I'm heading in now.Only wanted to let you know in case you'd try to contact me."
"Do you know anything about the case?"
"Nothing, but he sounded cagey about my list."
Hjalmar cursed.
"He wants me to do three items."Frode grabbed his wallet and jacket and held the phone to his ear with his shoulder while pushing his hands through the sleeves.
"Back-to-back?"
"I think so.He said they're stuck.I don't know what kind of case, or it's murder, but..."
"Yeah."Hjalmar didn't sound pleased.It was funny.He was the one who'd wanted Frode to work with the police, but as soon as someone other than him wanted Frode's input, he got grumpy.
"I can drive you back after."
"I'll be fine."
"I will drive you back."There was steel in Hjalmar's voice.
"Fine.You can drive me back, but I have no idea how long this will take."
