The Devil Among Us by Ramsay Sinclair (easy books to read txt) 📗

Christopher held the door open for us. “Plenty, it would appear. This solution is becoming more common for everyday homicides. It’s been popular in America for a while.”

DCI Reid spotted the body and array of work tools nearby. “I guess the ideas spreading. Hard to catch, lethal. An easy kill.”

“Precisely.” Christopher gently closed the door, giving us some privacy.

“We wondered why he was spluttering and whining a lot.” I had a sudden flashback to the state we found Flynn to be in upon our visits. “Did the nurses not notice anything unusual with him?”

“Not if they weren’t necessarily searching for it,” Christopher pondered. “He was in shock too, hence the whimpers you guys are mentioning.”

The sheet-covered body appeared ominous, especially under the circumstances. It bulged out in places, and Flynn’s nose was prominent, as well as his large, flat feet.

“So what actually is this substance?” I liked to know the science behind it as we three filtered out on either side of the body.

Christopher leaned on the metal part of the table, shadows cast onto his smooth skin. “Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with toxic properties included in the overall effect.”

“I remember hearing and studying the use of this stuff. It had a lot of accidental exposures even as late as the nineties by various doctors.” DCI Reid stared in amazement at my subject knowledge. “I used to be a bit of an avid reader in my younger years,” I said modestly.

“You’re good,” Christopher complimented and winked as if we knew some kind of secret.

“He is,” DCI Reid agreed without envy. “So, can we see the body? It’s a matter of urgency.”

“You’re telling me. I’ve had police guards swarming around the place and journalists stopping me from going for a bathroom break. They’re lucky I know how to hold it all in. Don’t worry, I’ve been warned to stay quiet and avoid the reporters.”

Christopher’s explanation allowed me to heave a sigh of relief. The journalists were the last people who needed to know any details regarding Flynn’s mysterious murderer.

“Very lucky indeed,” I grimaced, preferring to forget about Christopher’s bathroom habits.

Christopher paused with both hands on the pale sheet. “Are you both ready?” A dire table full of instruments stood nearby, cleaned from any prior use.

“We’ve seen a lot of bodies. Mauled, stabbed, you name it.” I waited for Christopher to get on with the task.

“Whatever you say, Mr Cooper.” He shrugged, indifferent to my confirmations.

The sheet was eventually whipped off Flynn’s body, revealing well… Flynn. It was a hard concept to grasp that he was genuinely dead, for so much life seemed to curse throughout him. It wasn’t that long ago when we saw Flynn alive, albeit whimpering a lot. His skin cold to the touch and funny shaped mouth closed tightly, Flynn was the shadow of an innocent man. It was haunting.

“I tried to warn you. Typical Scots, eh? Dem all stubborn.” Christopher shrugged.

“I, uh, yeah.” I tilted my head. “I wasn’t expecting that. He doesn’t look… dead? At this rate, I’m not entirely convinced that the substance hasn’t put Flynn in a coma as opposed to killing him,” I whispered in full respect to Flynn.

“I know how to do me job. He’s gone. Definitely.” Christopher chuckled at my reaction. “Seen a lot of bodies, huh?” He waggled his fingers, quoting my own lines.

“Let’s forget I said any of that,” I spoke in hushed tones. “He just looks… alive.” DCI Reid concurred. Thankfully McCall wasn’t here, otherwise she’d be in pieces at seeing Flynn so peaceful. “He had a daughter. And a wife. They’ll be heartbroken.”

Christopher gently used a gloved thumb to stroke his own chin. “I can imagine. There’s nothing pretty about any of this,” he said unironically. “Don’t do that.” He circled my eyebrows with his pointer finger mid-air. “That’s freaky.”

“I wish it wasn’t so obviously foul play,” DCI Reid huffed. “Now we’ve got murders, drugs and robberies to investigate. It’s never ending.”

“Any signs of a struggle or bruising anywhere? Nobody forced him to take the substance?” I sorted out the frown, well aware that it made me appear intimidating.

“None. No struggle. Flynn took the coffee and drinks unprompted, it should seem.” Christopher rattled a few bowls which were filled with various sized rags.

DCI Reid sighed. “Advanced moves.”

“Who are they? The people that did this,” Christopher asked distractedly. “Because there are more patients here, and we have to keep them safe.”

“We don’t know, and that’s the problem.” I sighed, pinching my temples tight. “But this was a planned attack. Flynn was targeted on purpose. I think everyone else will be fine.”

“I’ve got enough science degrees to know when something strange is going on.” Christopher popped a different pair of latex gloves on, using his teeth to fulfil the movement. The sound of pinging elastic reverberated across the room. “I want to know if I’m next. Flynn’s in my care now.”

He had every reason to be alarmed.

“Well, you’re probably right about that. The people that killed him may be out to dispose of the body too. We can’t take any chances. I’ll put police along the corridor, not that it did much justice for Flynn. Just, be careful, eh?” DCI Reid made certain that Christopher understood the dire consequences of getting involved in our case was.

“Always check who’s around, make sure you can trust them. Don’t give out Flynn’s details to anyone. Not even the nurses,” I instructed. I probably overloaded Christopher with too many details, but it was all in the best interest of his safety.

“I wasn’t expecting such a depressing response,” he sniffed distractedly.

“It’s a depressing situation,” I scrawled my number down on a spare piece of notepaper.

“I’m flattered,” Christopher joked, as witty as they came when I handed the number over.

“If you see or hear anything, and I mean anything suspicious, then phone that number there. Ask specifically for DI Cooper or DCI Reid.” We shared a grim glance. “We’re fronting Flynn’s investigation.”

“Don’t hesitate to come back soon, you two.” He shook our hands,