"A feeling Saylor wasn't telling you the truth about the rugs?"
Was it what he was feeling?"Maybe."
* * * *
Chapter 23
Nikolai got Frode into the car and drove toward his house.He kept coming back to Frode not trusting Saylor.He worked on the case.Surely, he wanted the killer caught as much as they did.But maybe, maybe, he'd said rug number four because he had it in his department and wanted Frode to come to him to read it.
"You trust Dubose over Saylor?"He glanced at Frode when they stopped at a red light.He was still pale, and he looked exhausted.Nikolai wanted to gather him in his arms and hold him.
"I don't know."
"But you asked her.What made you ask her?"
"Nerves?It's fucking terrifying to know you're about to touch something that might melt your brain.I might have felt better if she'd said the same thing as Saylor did.Reassurance, I guess."
Nikolai tightened his hold on the steering wheel."But she didn't, and you touched it anyway."
"It was too late to back out."
"No.If you suspect your brain is gonna melt, you back out."
Frode gave him a weak smile.
"I'm serious, Frode.We'll catch him or someone else will.I don't think we're gonna be able to hold on to the case for much longer."
"Federals gonna take over?"
"By all accounts, they already should have."He didn't want to let it go, but Isaac was right; the important thing was to catch the murderer.He could allow someone else to be the one to take him down as long as he got to be the one who looked out for Frode.
Nikolai drove them out of town, onto narrower roads, and finally onto gravel roads.It was nice out here.Small scattered houses, surrounded by fields.Tranquil unless there was a murderer sneaking around.
"I'll touch the other rug tomorrow."Frode looked over at him right as he parked the car by his house.
"Frode--"
"No, I need to.Something isn't right."
Okay, so they were back to that.He wanted to argue, but maybe he should wait until tomorrow.Frode was tired and most likely not thinking rationally.
"Come on, baby.Let's go inside."
Frode watched him for a few seconds."You're staying?"
"There is still a murderer on the loose who might know who you are and where you live."
"Ramen?I don't have the energy to cook anything taking more than five minutes."
Nikolai dropped his shoulders.He'd expected Frode to argue."I can cook."
"Nope.Don't touch things in my kitchen."He opened the door and got out, but instead of walking toward the house, he walked to the small barn."O Captain!My Captain!"
Nikolai snorted but followed on silent feet.He lingered in the doorway, not wanting to startle Frode or the captain.The sound of kibble hitting a bowl had the ugliest cat Nikolai had ever seen sneak closer along the wall.It looked at Frode, but then it noticed Nikolai and scurried back to wherever it had been hiding before.
Frode sighed."Did you have to scare him?"
"Sorry."
