"Oh..."He remembered the cowering boy Frode had been, and guilt swamped him.Fuck.
"Though he was talking about getting a dog earlier today.It could be a good thing, but I guess then he'll never fly anywhere."A grin.
Nikolai would've loved a dog, but his life didn't have room for one."Sounds great."
"Yeah.So what do you do nowadays?"
They ordered food and spent the rest of the night talking about work.Nikolai was thrilled to learn Hjalmar was in law enforcement too.They wouldn't be working cases together since Hjalmar worked with drugs and he with murders, but not only had he reconnected with an old friend he still liked, but they also understood the toll their jobs took.And as long as they weretalking work, he managed not to askmore about Frode.
* * * *
Frode jogged up the stairs to Hjalmar's floor at the precinct.When Lieutenant Givens blocked his way, he sneered.Shedidn't like him, and at times she shut Hjalmar down when he wanted Frode's input on things, but for the most part she settled on telling him he didn't give them enough information for what they were paying him.
"I haven't okayed any gypsies today."
"Wow.Do cops have an HR department?I'd like to file a formal complaint."
She glared."For what?"
"Racism.The word you're looking for is Roma."
Silence."I meant I haven't agreed to have a fucking fortune teller on my floor today.We're not a circus."
The slack-jawed expression on Hjalmar's face followed by a rosy anger rapidly spreading on his cheeks as he came up behind Givens made Frode flinch.So far, he believed Hjalmar had been unaware of his lieutenant's aversion to psychics.
She noted his reaction and looked over her shoulder.There was a moment where he could read regret in her eyes, then she schooled her face."Bakke, heading out?"
Hjalmar stared at her; his lips flat, and his hands curled into fists."What did you say to him?"
"Nothing.I was surprised to see him here today.You haven't requested his input."
"He's my brother."
"I know, but I still wasn't--"
"I don't fucking care."Hjalmar's voice was low but shook with anger.This was why Frode never told him about the jackasses he was working with.For some reason, Hjalmar liked most of them, and he didn't want to ruin it for him.He believed they liked Hjalmar back as long as they could ignore he had a psychic brother.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Hjalmar held up a hand to stop her."If I ever,ever, see you give him so much as an unkind look, I will report you.Do you have any idea how many arrests his input has helped with?"
"I--"
"I don't care what you're about to say."
"I'm your boss."
"I don't fucking care.You can't afford to have me transferred.I have the best clearance rate in the department."
Frode couldn't help but smirk.Hjalmar was good at what he did.
Then Hjalmar stomped past her and grabbed Frode's arm.They flew down the stairs, and Frode had to focus on not tripping over his feet.Once they reached the curb outside the station, Hjalmar whirled on him."Why didn't you tell me she treated you like that?"
The anger hadn't subsided, but Frode wasn't scared."Because youhave to work there.She is your boss, better if you didn't know."
"I trusted her."He was fuming, and Frode couldn't help but smile.When Hjalmar saw it, he huffed and rolled his eyes."Fucking hell."
"It's fine."
"It's not.The police can't walk around being..."He waved a hand, and Frode chuckled.
