"As a psychic.Is there a way for someone to search for psychics in Berg and have your face pop up?"
Frode stared at him."I haven't consented to anything like that."There was a cold tingle in his limbs."Saylor."
Nikolai scowled."What about him?"
"He walked right up to me in the grocery store.I didn't think much of it since I'd seen him many times, but we'd never been introduced.Now I've had lunch with him and visited him at his workplace, so we're practically in a relationship, but before the day in the grocery store, I'd never spoken to him."
Nikolai huffed but didn't look pleased."I'll have a chat with him tomorrow."
"Fuck, do you think my picture is on some site?If Altman knows what I do and realized I was staring at him in the store, then he'll know I know who he is."
Nikolai pushed up the sleeve of his black Henley and covered Frode's hand with his.He wasn't used to anyone touching his hands and jumped.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
"It's not something you can promise.What if he knows where I live?"Frode hadn't been afraid when Medlin had warned him, but there was no denying the fear taking root in his gut now.What if?
"I'll stay with you."
Frode huffed."You have a job to do."And he needed to do it.He couldn't be a distraction to Nikolai."You have to catch him.You can't babysit me.Your focus needs to be on catching him."
Nikolai frowned at him, his hold on Frode's fingers tightening a fraction."You want me to abandon you and focus on work?"
Rolling his eyes wasn't much of an answer."It's important.It's more important you catch him than sitting here holding my hand."
A short laugh left Nikolai."You have no idea how many times I wished Julian had seen it that way."
"I'm not Julian."And maybe if they'd been in a relationship, he'd see it differently.Though, he doubted it.Disappointed not to be able to spend time with his person, sure, but how could an evening on the couch ever be considered more important than to catch a killer?
"Medlin sent us home.There is nothing more to do today.The tech guys are trolling Facebook and online auctions to try to find leads on the rugs.Ads, recent or old, buyers, and so on.We'll talk to the bastard tomorrow, ask about the rug--"
"I should touch another one."Cold sweat sprang from his pores.He didn't want to, but he should.
Nikolai shook his head."We can work this angle--"
"No.Let's ask Saylor which of the rugs appears to have the least wear and tear, and I'll touch it."
"Frode--"
"No, I want to."He didn't, but he had to.
Silence fell, and Frode focused on the TV.
"I'll stay the night."
"Excuse me?"He turned to stare at Nikolai.
"If you're listed somewhere, if he knows who you are, he knows how easy it'd be to get to you out here."He gestured around."He's killed in this area once already."
"But I'm a guy.He kills women."
"You want to bet your life on it?Maybe he'd kill you quickly to get rid of you.A shot in the head instead of one of his pleasure kills."
Frode had no words."Pleasure kills?"Ugh, sick.
Nikolai shrugged."He gets something out of it, and if him seeing you in the grocery store today made him think he's in danger of being found out, I have no idea how he'll react.Maybe he'd skip his normal ritual and simply shoot you to get rid of you."
Frode looked at the TV and realized he'd missed a goal.Fuck.He wanted to watch hockey and not worry about anything.
