Frode nodded as nausea built at the back of his throat.It was only nerves.He hadn't touched anything yet.The reactions were all in his head.He swallowed hard and hurried out of the room.
Fuck.
Breathing deep, even breaths, he headed toward interview room one.It was one of those sparse rooms fit for a detective show on TV.There were no hoops to fasten cuffs to, but there could've been.There was one of those two-way mirrors, and a camera fastened in the corner near the ceiling.
He hoped no one was watching right now.With trembling hands, he got his phone out of his pocket and called Hjalmar's number.
"Done already?"There were noises in the background.
"No.I...eh...if something happens--"
"What?"The sharp tone made him wince."What the fuck is going on, Frode?"
"They want me to touch three rugs they don't know where they've been."
"No.Get out of there.I'll call Nikolai.Don't do it."
"The puppy has already gone to fetch the first one from evidence."Frode ran a gloved finger along the edge of the table.
"He can put it back, no harm done."
"If something happens--"
"Frode, for fuck's sake!Your life is worth more than their investigation."
He mustered a small smile."Nesterova doesn't think so.How likely is it things will end badly?"
Hjalmar snarled, then there was a loud bang.Frode winced and hoped he didn't break anything."Hey, take it easy."
"Easy?You think I should take it easy?"
Frode didn't speak.He didn't want to do this.Hjalmar didn't want him to do this.So why was he doing this?Because of Nikolai fucking Nesterova.But why?He didn't care what Nikolai thought of him.Hell, he didn't believe Frode was a psychic, accused him of faking it, so why did he care about Nikolai's opinion?
"It'll most likely be fine.I only wanted to let you know since...well, you'd feed Captain Scratch if I'm away for a bit, right?"
The background sounds were changing, giving him the impression Hjalmar was walking away from his office."Of course, but you're not going away."
"No, you're right.It'll be fine."
"Yes, it will because you're not going to do it.You're going to walk out of whatever room you're in.Then you're going to go toward the exit, down the stairs, and I'll pick you up outside."
"You're working.You've already missed enough work today."
"I don't fucking care, Frode.I'll be there in ten minutes.Go outside."
He nodded because he wanted to, but Elmore appeared in the doorway with a rolled-up rug covered in plastic.
Cold sweat rolled over Frode."I'll see you in a bit."His voice was no more than a whisper, and he ended the call right as Hjalmar started saying something.
"Okay."Elmore put the rug on the table."This is from the first victim."
Frode reached inside his pocket and brought out a box of raisins.He opened it and shook some out on the flap where he easily could pick them up, then he removed the glove from his right hand.
Elmore opened the plastic."Are you ready?"
"No, but I'm pretty sure Hjalmar is on his way over here, and he's not happy."
Elmore winced."Maybe we shouldn't."
