The next day, Nikolai was back to studying the photos of the rugs.Was there any way to know if one of them hadn't been used much?If they could guarantee it, then maybe Frode could do a reading or whatever they'd call it.
"What are you thinking?"Isaac entered the room, carrying two cups of coffee.
"If there is any way we can tell if one of the rugs haven't been exposed to people."
Isaac nodded."How is he?"
Nikolai filled his lungs, then let the air out slowly."He woke up a little before nine yesterday evening, threw up, had a headache, ate some, then he demanded I leave because he was taking a shower."
"So no lasting damage?"
"Fuck, I hope not."He ran a hand through his hair."Hjalmar and I have been friends for a long time, but he never told me anything about Frode.I...I'm not sure what to believe."
Isaac scowled."You can't be serious.You saw him.Do you honestly think anyone can fake something like that?"
Nikolai looked at him."I want him to be faking."He wasn't sure it was true, but he didn't want Frode to be psychic.
"Why?"
"He's Frode.I've known him most of my life, and if I didn't know..."
Isaac pushed one of the cups toward him."Then it means you never knew him at all."
Nikolai gave him a curt nod.
"Which most likely means he doesn't like you as much as you like him.If he had, he'd have shared his secrets with you."A wicked grin took over Isaac's mouth.
"Fuck you."
"I don't think there will be any fucking at all."A quick frown."Is he able to?"
"What do you mean?"
"If he can't touch..."Then he waved a hand."Though he's been in relationships, so I guess he can."
What if he couldn't?"Relationships don't equal sex."
"True.Maybe it should be your next mission, figure out if Frode is sexually active, and if so, how he goes about it."
Heat unfurled in Nikolai's core."It could get me killed."And he couldn't believe he was having this discussion with Isaac.
"Yeah, maybe it's best you stay away.Plus, I think Saylor has called dibs."
Nikolai blinked exaggeratedly at him."What did you just say?"
"Saylor from forensics--"
"I know who Saylor is."And how he'd looked at Frode during their lunch.
"I'm only saying--" Before he could continue his sentence, there was a knock on the door followed by Medlin walking in.
"They've found a body.Woman on a rug in her living room."
"Fuck."Nikolai glanced at the whiteboard.It was too soon.They should have at least two months before he struck again if he stuck to his pattern.
"Not fresh."
"What?"He focused on Medlin.
