Nikolai snorted."It's not a punishment.It's for your own good."
"I'm rolling my eyes really hard right now."
"Don't hurt yourself."
Frode gave him a light slap before burrowing closer and yawning."I'm fine.It's like when you have a headache and move too fast, you know?A swoosh of pain.Nothing to worry about."
Nikolai kissed his forehead."Rest."
Frode's breath was warm against his skin, but Nikolai could tell he was awake.He ran a hand over his back.Frode curled an arm around him, but he didn't relax, not fully.
"What are you thinking?"
He made a sound Nikolai wasn't sure how to interpret."It's nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, only thinking.We'll deal with it tomorrow."He yawned again, and Nikolai ran a hand over his hair.
* * * *
Chapter 24
Frode rushed up the stairs to the homicide department ahead of Nikolai.He headed directly toward Medlin's office, gave the open door a cursory knock before walking in.
"Maiden."Medlin didn't look up from his papers.
"How did you know it was me?"
"No one else runs in here this early in the morning."
Oh."Huh."
Medlin looked up from what he was reading."What can I do for you?"
"I need to touch rug number three."
Medlin frowned."I believed I gave you free rein."
"Yeah, but Nesterova will protest."
Nikolai walked into the office right then.Medlin looked at him."Will you protest?"
"I think we can get him without Frode having to touch another rug, and I think it's an unnecessary risk to take."
Medlin looked between the two, his eyes narrowing."I don't want to be put in the middle of a lover's spat."
"It could kill him."Nikolai's voice was growly.
Frode rolled his eyes."This is what I do for a living, and I think I'm missing something.I'm sure you can get Altman without me, but I think there is a piece missing."
Medlin looked between them."Agent Ramirez and Agent Green will arrive sometime after lunch for a handover.If you want to do anything more with this case, you need to do it now."
Nikolai cursed, and Frode nodded and walked closer to Nikolai and slapped his arm."Let's go.It's now or never."
"I'm voting for never."
Frode shook his head."No, we're missing something."
