"I'm not working with Nesterova."
Confusion overtook his face."How do you know Nesterova?He's new."
Frode snorted."The word you're looking for is back.He's back.He grew up here, moved away, and now he's back."
"Oh, right.Still, we need help."
"No can do.Sorry."He tried to walk around him but was blocked.Then there were raised voices from Medlin's office, and the man winced and allowed him to pass.Frode didn't waste another second.
* * * *
Chapter 5
Nikolai stared at the spot where Frode had been standing.It had been many years since he'd seen him, but he'd recognize him anywhere.
"Frode Bakke is no fucking psychic."
Medlin narrowed his eyes."He is."
"The hell he is!I grew up with him."Sort of."Ifhe's telling you he's a psychic, he's playing you.I hope you haven't paid him for his services."He snorted.This was ridiculous and proved what he'd always known to be true about psychics--frauds, the lot of them.Okay, maybe not all of them.He'd seen one who could read minds, and there was no way it could've been faked since she'd demonstrated by reading his.
But Frode Bakke was no psychic.
Medlin watched him with a look of disapproval."He walked out, so I don't think you have to worry."
Nikolai huffed.He didn't care.Why would he care?
Isaac came back into the office.Nikolai looked behind him before he could stop himself.He'd only seen Frode for a second or two, and he wanted to have a better look.Or not.
Hjalmar had to know what he was up to.It was a scam.Illegal.How dared Frode scam the police when his brother worked in law enforcement?
"What did you do?"Isaac gave him an unimpressed look.
"What?"
"Sunny left.He said he wouldn't work with Nesterova.So what did you do?"
"Nothing.How was I to know Frode Bakke was the Sun Maiden?If you had used his real name, I could've told you not to bother.He's not a psychic.He's been playing you."
Isaac looked at Medlin, confusion written all over his face."What do we do now?"
Silence, then Isaac glared at Nikolai.
Medlin sighed."I can't force him to come back.He doesn't work for me."Hard eyes turned to Nikolai."I guess you'll have to go back and follow all the promising leads you've managed to unearth."
Nikolai looked between Isaac and Medlin.They didn't have any leads.He'd been annoyed when he realized Isaac had gone behind his back and asked Medlin to call the Sun Maiden before Nikolai had agreed to it.He hadn't known he was coming until a few minutes before he arrived.He held in a wince.Frode must've heard him shout at Medlin.
Isaac whirled around and stomped out of the office.
Fuck.Nikolai ran a hand through his hair."Maybe something will come from the forensic team."He glanced at Medlin.
"They've already processed everything there is to process in the first two cases, and you have nothing.No prints, no murder weapon, no witnesses, no connection--"
"The rugs."
"Which Elmore wanted the Maiden to have a look at, but you blew it."
"He's not a psychic, and even if he was, we can't use anything he says in court."
