Saylor was studying him."But you're involved in this case.You've come to see me twice, and you've never been here before.Your neighbor is one of the victims."
Ice crystals formed in his veins."I never spoke to her."
And had someone told Saylor where Frode lived?Maybe he'd learned his address when he'd worked the crime scene.
"Still.He's close to you."
"No, he's not."Frode got to his feet, wanting to leave."This has nothing to do with me."
Nikolai watched him without saying a word, then he looked at Saylor."Anything new?"
"It'll all be in the report."The snippy tone would've amused Frode if he hadn't had a clawing need to leave.He didn't want to be here anymore.
"Great."Nikolai took a step toward the door."We'll be in touch."
Saylor made a humming sound."We'll send over the preliminary report later today."
"Thanks."Nikolai nodded at him and stepped out of the room.
* * * *
Nikolai watched Frode as he more or less stormed out of the forensic department.He followed at a slower pace, spinning his car key on his finger as he went.He didn't like Saylor.Fucker was drooling all over Frode, and he wasn't subtle about it.
Frode was standing by the car, gazing out into the distance, and Nikolai didn't know what to say to calm him.He didn't want to diminish the importance of Frode's photo being posted in online groups run by psychic enthusiasts.Fanboys and girls were weird, and it might explain why Altman appeared to recognize him in the grocery store, but maybe it wasn't too bad.
It was bad.
"Let's go."Frode smacked his gloved palm against the car roof, looking ready to snarl.Hot.
A memory of Frode rocking against him, purring against his skin, made him tingle.
"I'm coming."But he didn't speed up his steps.
Frode glared, and Nikolai would've grinned if he hadn't believed this anger was to conceal fear.
He unlocked the car, and Frode slid into the passenger seat before Nikolai had opened his door.Once he was belted in, he turned to Frode."What are you thinking?"
"Something isn't right."
"Care to elaborate?"
"Killing people to get my attention doesn't add up.I've worked with the police for years, and I neverget involved.My name is never mentioned in any official capacity, and nothing of what I see is brought up in court or rarely brought up at least.My readings are not evidence."
Nikolai held his breath.
"So if it's someone with a psychic kink, and they'd know I sometimes consult the cops, there is no way this is for my benefit."
Psychic kink?Was there such a thing?
He thought back to how Saylor's eyes had heated when they talked about Frode touching a rug.Fuck, did he get off on it?
Nikolai wasn't sure he agreed with Frode.If there were some crazy person who got off on knowing a psychic was looking at his handiwork, they wouldn't care if Frode showed up in court or not, and a series of murders was one way to make sure the police called him in.He wouldn't tell Frode so right this minute, though.He was afraid, and Nicolai didn't blame him.
"A psychic kink, is it ah...a real thing?"
Frode shrugged."Maybe it's a fetish.What is the difference?Kink something you do, like spanking, and fetish a thing you get off on?Feet or cheerleader outfits."He pursed his lips."I'm pretty vanilla and haven't taken a dive into the..."He waved a hand.
Nikolai stared."Cheerleader outfits?"
