Frode forced a smile."There never are."
"You're gonna touch it?"Saylor's expression didn't change much, but his tone got a little breathy, and his eyes glowed.It had unease curling in Frode's gut.Was he one of those who got a hard-on when around psychics?It sure looked like arousal from where Frode was seated.Fuck.
Saylor came across as a calm, controlled, intelligent man, but the way he was looking at Frode right this second told another story.It made his skin itch.
Frode dared to glance at Nikolai.He was focused on Saylor, a small wrinkle between his brows, then his gaze jumped to Frode.They only looked at each other for a fraction of a second, but Frode was sure Nikolai could read his unease, because something hardened in his eyes.
"We're not sure it's worth risking Frode, but we wanted to know which rug to go with should we get stuck in the investigation."
Saylor shifted his focus to Nikolai, and the glow dimmed.It was clear he didn't like Nikolai.Frode couldn't say he blamed him, but he wasn't sure it was good to have this much animosity between the homicide and the forensic team.Maybe they should've brought Elmore.Most people liked him.
"You knew who Frode was before this case, right?"
Saylor looked surprised."Yeah, sure."
"How?"
Saylor's gaze jumped between them, but Frode kept his expression blank.This was Nikolai's rodeo.He'd gotten the information he came here for, so he was ready to leave when Nikolai was.
"Eh...it's common knowledge he works with the police."
"Sure, but how did you know what he looked like?He's not on any social media platforms, he doesn't have a website for his business, he's invisible, but you recognized him the moment you saw him."
"I know Bakke, Hjalmar I mean, and they're brothers, so--"
"But they don't look alike.I can see similarities, but I've known them for a long time.I doubt someone who happens to see Frode walking down the street would look at him and think he has to be Hjalmar's brother, even if they know Hjalmar."
Frode was glad he'd said the street and not in the grocery store.
"Eh...What has this got to do with the investigation?"
"We suspect the killer might know about Frode, and we're trying to figure out how."
Saylor stiffened."What has it got to do with me?"
"Nothing.We were only curious how you came to know what Frode looked like before you met.Is there a website somewhere?I can put my guys on fine-combing the internet for photos of him, but since we're here, I figured it was a quick and easy way to get the information."
Saylor stared at him for several seconds, then he glanced at Frode and sighed."I was curious, so I searched for him online."
Fuck.Frode leaned forward."And there are photos of me?I've never posted any photos, and I know Hjalmar hasn't."
Saylor squirmed, then he sighed."There are sites."
Frode didn't breathe."What kind of sites?"
"Sites, online groups, where people post photos of psychics.There are some of you leaving the police station.Some of you and Hjalmar."
Nikolai cursed."So it's possible the killer knows who Frode is, what he looks like, where he lives?"
Saylor nodded."Yeah, but I doubt Frode is in danger.I mean, I'm no profiler, but this guy kills women living alone, not psychics."
"But if he knows Frode can place him at the crime scene, then he might want him out of the way."
Leaning back in his chair, Saylor looked between them."I guess, but isn't it more likely he's done this to gain the attention of a psychic instead of wanting him out of the way?"
Eh...no.Frode was about to voice his disbelief when Nikolai nodded."Maybe."
"No.Come on, Nico.It doesn't make any sense.I've touched one rug.One.I never get involved in cases.It's not my attention he's getting, it's yours."
