The Devil Among Us by Ramsay Sinclair (most life changing books .TXT) 📕

headed in. “You’re thinking the person who broke in is also a part of these setups.” Our team exchanged grim, sardonic glances.

“It does make sense, Cooper,” DCI Reid cut in above the chatter taking place. “DS McCall was getting close to Flynn by building trust with him. Maybe these bastards realised that we’re hot on their trails and followed her home from the hospital?”

Who else could these people be watching? We were all a part of this case, were we next?

“They could have easily found out where you lived and planted these stolen phones. Especially if they’d had the phones ready and waiting to stitch up any officers getting close to finding out who they are. They’re framing officers to conceal their identity. Brutally clever, if it had worked properly,” I steadied McCall’s swaying self.

Tony rustled the evidence bag. “All a part of their bigger setup. Seems they’ve been planning all of their hits at once and must be working their way through the chains of stations. Lying in wait and placing these traps and diversions to keep their operation afloat.”

They were devious and cunning, all the things we at CID weren’t. They’d been lying in wait this long and were starting to come out of the woodwork like worms.

We cut the chain, we stop the strain. In order to find these bastards, we’d have to think like them, figure out what the next step would be from here.

“The only good thing is that we must be close to uncovering something,” Rebecca shrugged cluelessly, doing up her tailored suit jacket for warmth. “For them to react in this irrational way can only be out of fear. Whatever Flynn knows about these people is certainly serious. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be this desperate.”

“I wonder if they’ve done the same in the Edinburgh and Glasgow branches?” I hypothetically put the idea out there, as my legs significantly weakened from hunger and shock. “It’s lucky we know McCall well enough to know she’s not this type of person, not that way inclined. Some other teams may believe their own officers could have stolen goods like these.” There was no doubt in my mind that McCall was a trustworthy and honest being.

Rebecca’s pencil-thin eyebrows furrowed. “But someone’s after her.”

“I’m afraid that’s true. I don’t think you should stay here for a while, at least until this has all blown over,” DCI Reid instructed, attempting to console McCall.

“I don’t think I could stay here tonight, anyway.” She stared sheepishly at the carpet. “I’ll book in at the local B and B or maybe ask John--”.

“She’ll stay at mine,” I informed everyone, despite McCall’s splutters. “That’s final. I’m not letting her out of my sights, at least not until we’re certain it’s safe out there.”

“Thanks, Cooper. We all care about you, DS McCall. We want you to be safe first and foremost.” DCI Reid let out a shaky sigh. He wasn’t finished yet. “And I hate to do this, honestly, I do. Losing one of our best sergeants isn’t going to be easy for a crime of this proportion.”

“Losing?” McCall and I looked up in shock.

DCI Reid held out his palm flat. “DS McCall, I'm formally suspending you from all of your duties.”

The statement hit us equally like a ton of bricks. Unexpected and jolly unwelcome. She didn’t deserve to be suspended over a setup.

“But she hasn’t done anything wrong, Guv,” I protested out of confusion.

DCI Reid quelled me by continuing calmly. “I know that, Cooper, which is why she’ll be receiving a full salary, instead of the usual compensatory payment. I don’t want to do this, but it's in my best interest to ensure the safety of my team. The best bet to achieve that is to get you far away from this case. You’re a target now, that much is clear.” DCI Reid’s cheeks quivered, thick neck concealing his Adam’s apple.

McCall didn’t argue or dispute against the instructions as expected. She wasn’t herself tonight, that wasn’t hard to notice.

“It’ll give you a chance to lie low a while, get the heat off your back,” DCI Reid said. “The criminals will think they’ve succeeded in setting you up, and will hopefully leave you alone from now on. It’s our best plan of action.”

Nobody could deny that it was our only plan thus far.

“We don’t know how far these people will go in making sure we don’t uncover their secrets. They’ve got blood on their hands already, and I don’t want McCall’s added into that final tally,” the Guv informed our team altogether.

He was right, too much blood had been spilt already. None of us would forgive ourselves if it was McCall’s. Still, I had to protest.

“But Guv--”

McCall stepped up, shaking her head. “Finlay, he’s right. I’m… frightened. Staying away from the station and here is all I can think about right now. Please, let it be.”

Gaping like a fish out of water in these uncharted courses, I backed away per her instruction. McCall was what was important here and getting her safe is the top priority.

“Fine.” I nodded and wiped both slick palms along my suit trousers. Tiny shards of glass nibs had embedded in the soles of my shoes, pressing against the fabric insoles. “But you’ll make sure McCall returns as soon as possible, Guv?”

DCI Reid bowed, the dark shadows under his eyes highlighted in the poor lighting. “I’ll bloody well make sure of it. They’ve come in all guns blazing and we, as a team, will give these criminals twice as much as they’ve given. Once they’re safely behind bars, we can rest.”

A single, appreciative tear slipped down McCall’s hot cheek. “Thank you. All of you, for helping with… this.” As though the state of her house had become clear again, McCall hid behind her hands. “God, this is such a mess. Everything’s ruined.”

Hearing the pained groans, I wanted nothing more than to make the hurt go away.

“We’ll get someone to fix the window, add some extra locks,” I assured her. “We’ll sort out