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

“Iona…” DCI Reid protested, and I acted as though I wasn’t already aware.

“What? You didn’t mention that before, Guv,” I emphasised his once-fond nickname and accepted the drinks. Abbey’s hand secretively and excitedly gripped my thigh.

“No, and I wouldn’t have done, either, if my wife wasn’t such a big mouth.” Iona grinned warmly. “I didn’t want anyone at the station to feel like they owed me for the gesture,” he lied through his large teeth, ones a chipmunk would use to gnaw through wood. “They’re good men. Tradesmen that is.”

“We owe you for the favour,” I dryly remarked.

Iona barged in again, carrying a tray of steaming tarts. “Nonsense. That station is essentially your life. You lot deserve comfortable and presentable offices. There should be enough funding to cover things like that.”

“I don’t think the paying public would entirely agree. They pay for the service we provide, not the state of our paintwork,” I joked and sensed that DCI Reid was staring at me weirdly. However, he didn’t say anything unusual.

“I agree, Cooper.”

“Which is why,” Abbey joined in, all charm and pleasantries, “the gala was a fabulous idea. Most people got the chance to enjoy the time off, and it was lovely to know the donations went back to their station. Maybe it’s just me, but I want you guys to have the best, for all things you do for us locals.”

Iona fussed with the spread. “I completely agree. You two barely get any time to yourselves.”

“So, Iona, what do you do, when DCI Reid’s at work?” I wondered.

“Nothing much. I’m a regular housewife. I have a few friends here every now and again to catch up and host a few dinner parties. You should come along to the next one, the girls would adore you. You’re a sweetheart.” Iona fiddled with her perfectly manicured nails and filled up Abbey’s champagne flute with yet another serving.

“Cooper.” DCI Reid grabbed my attention by holding up a brown bottle. “Thirty-year matured alcohol. Want a drop?” He crouched down to grab two new glasses.

I couldn’t think straight with all this alcohol. That singular bottle probably cost a leg and a half. My leg itself wouldn’t even sell for that much. The home bar was clearly his pride and joy as he dusted everything over routinely, even this late in the evening. Twice.

“No, thank you.” I held my stomach and groaned dramatically. “You’ve stuffed me too much, Iona. I’m afraid I’ll ruin your fluffy carpets,” I overshared, though everything I said was true. I was full to the bursting point.

DCI Reid roared with laughter, more relaxed than I’d ever seen him at work. It was strange to see him being a husband and nothing else. He arranged the drink and sat down on his leather armchair with both feet up, tuning into Iona’s hearty nattering. She was still cooking even more buffet food, for some reason.

“How did you two meet?” Abbey desired to know, truly intrigued by their pairing. DCI Reid flared his nostrils whilst trying to cast their minds back.

“That’s a long time ago now,” Iona quipped, testing whether her rolls had warmed through properly so that we didn’t leave with both bruises and food poisoning. “I was working as a waitress.”

“At a cocktail bar?” I joined in sarcastically, leaving DCI Reid bellowing.

“That was quick, Cooper. I’m impressed.” He smiled towards his homely wife, dishevelled from all the cooking but still undoubtedly glamorous.

“No, it was a steak bar,” Iona clarified amusedly. “Steaks and the occasional salmon for the poshies. We came from nothing then, our lifestyle has completely changed now.” She brought the final tray of snacks over to the coffee table, then settled herself on DCI Reid’s lap.

He oofed but didn’t complain much, slightly jollied from his drink and the company. He held on tight to her sizable body.

“Anyway, Alec walked in and asked for his steak rare. He was particular about the cut of the meat and the number of minutes our chef was going to cook it for. I honestly wanted to slap him for being so bossy.” She prodded his chest. “I couldn’t stand him.”

“I didn’t know anything about steak,” DCI Reid completed the story at the same time. It was obviously their dinner party tale. “I was trying to look cool in front of her as if I was knowledgeable about food.”

“To impress her?” Abbey couldn’t believe her ears.

“Aye. She soon realised when I could barely stomach the food I’d ordered.” They stared at each other whilst talking.

Iona couldn’t help but finish the anecdote. “I thought it was adorable that this big hunk of a man would act to impress a girl.”

He’d been acting a lot more than any of us had expected.

“We all change in front of people we care for. I know Abbey’s made me a gentleman since she took a chance on me. Lit a fire inside of me, so to speak,” I said. “Since we’ve been together, McCall and I have solved more cases than we did before DCI Reid showed up. She’s my good luck charm, as cheesy as it sounds.”

Abbey set down her food and blushed as an aroma of flowered scented perfume lingered in the air.

“Well, that’s lovely,” Iona glimmered and clapped happily. She was one of those romantic women who loved the very idea of love. Why she’d chosen a man of DCI Reid’s tough exterior remained a mystery. “What’s going on with you two then? Any plans to put a ring on her finger yet, Finlay? If you don’t, someone else sure will.”

Abbey laughed the question off, yet I could sense some awkwardness there.

“Iona…” DCI Reid warned. His grip on her generous hips tightened.

“What? It’s only a question, they know that. Don’t get all grumpy.” She pecked his other cheek too, leaving many lipstick marks there. I was mortified and left Abbey to answer their insightful questions with more eloquence than I could muster.

“We’re not, uhm… We’ve only dated for slightly