The Devil Among Us, Ramsay Sinclair [black books to read .txt] 📗

I ordered, and the bartender handed me the sweet but strong drink in return.

“Ah.” Judge Ramsey twiddled his frustratingly neat moustache and pushed my hand away from my pocket commandingly. “The only thing we pay for here is the betting. The owner of the house has the rest covered.” This club seemed similar to the Masons, shrouded in mystery and weirdness. “I’d suggest staying away from Father Gideon if you want to have fun tonight. He sits there miserable every time.” The judge had a twinkle in his sharp eyes. “DCI Reid and I will look out for you. We usually have a good time.”

“Glad to hear it. How long have you known DCI Reid now?” I wondered, hoping to find out anything possible.

“Since he moved to the bay. He’s a very… advantageous man. Makes the best out of the situations he finds himself in, both in cards and life. He’s a brilliant mentor for young men like yourself. Oh, what you can achieve if you’re with the right people,” the judge leered, and I felt extremely uncomfortable.

None of this was up my street.

“It’s good to have new blood. It’s been a while since we’ve had any. They’re real gentlemen here and a bundle of fun,” Judge Ramsey said.

I glanced around to all the grave men chatting. I wasn’t entirely convinced.

“So, where’s DCI Reid?” I politely made back and forth tête-à-tête, secretly searching for DCI Reid everywhere.

“Always late,” Judge Ramsey scoffed. “His wife keeps him behind with all her talking.”

Ah, I found it best to stay out of it. Iona had been welcoming to us last night, and I didn’t want to sit there and gossip about her when she was out of earshot.

“Who’s Roy?” I perked up.

Judge Ramsey was too busy lighting a cigar. “Pardon?”

“You mistook me for a man named Roy when I arrived.”

Judge Ramsey screwed his face up as he inhaled. “He’s a mutual friend of DCI Reid’s and mine. You two don’t look overly dissimilar.”

“Just Roy? I thought you called people their last names here,” I frowned and was distracted momentarily by the sight of men boisterously greeting each other.

“That is his last name. Roy doesn’t really have a title. He’s here because he has certain skills and money to spare.” He laughed and sent overbearing smoke into my face. “He only comes by if he’s free. He has a busy line of work.”

Opening my mouth to continue asking more questions, Judge Ramsey frowned at the sight of my cut and bruises. “That cut seems nasty. I can call Doctor Miles over if you’d like. He’d be happy to look over it.”

Blimey. No wonder the men had stared at me when I’d entered. I’d almost forgotten I looked like a walking punchbag.

“No, thank you. It’s quite alright. A drunken scrap, that’s all.” I left a lot to the imagination, preferring it that way. The fewer people knew about me here, the better.

“Ah, I see. Reid always said you were quite the bold lad,” Judge Ramsey let on, downing his drink in one. Or not.

For an elderly guy, he was going faster than I ever had drunk a drink in my life. To keep up with him, I’d have to be an alcoholic of sorts. Come to think of it, even Father Gideon was getting rid of his drinks speedily.

“He said you're his lucky charm for tonight. Does that mean we’re going to have to watch out?” He twiddled that darn moustache twice. It was extremely distracting.

“I don’t know about that. I never was any good at cards.” I bowed my head ashamedly. I hadn’t thought this through. I barely had the same sort of money as these guys.

“With a guy like Reid, everyone’s good at cards,” Judge Ramsey let on kindly.

“You talking about me?” DCI Reid appeared behind us two and slapped our backs in earnest, a similar cigar pursed between his wrinkled lips. “Nice to finally see you here, Cooper,” he acknowledged. “You fit in well, you’re a natural. I barely recognised you sitting here. Nice outfit, very sharp.”

“All positive things only, Reid,” Judge Ramsey bantered, signalling the bartender to get DCI Reid’s favourite drink ready. “You’re late.”

“Iona wouldn’t let me escape. I had to tell her I was working late,” DCI Reid fondly said. “Women always want a kiss or two before you leave.”

I balled my fist upon hearing that. After what I’d learned last night, Iona gave up everything for this pig-headed man in front of me.

“Or three,” I said enthusiastically and in a monotone voice to humour them only.

“Exactly. So, Ramsey, what do you think of my boy? We’re lucky to have him here, I know he barely has a social life. This is his second day out in a row. Quite an achievement, I think.” DCI Reid lifted his glass in honour of me showing up.

“Reminds me of you when you were younger.” Judge Ramsey smiled, displaying a set of coffee-stained teeth. If one more person said that, I’d explode.

DCI Reid fussed with his cuffs. “How’s the head after last night, Cooper?”

“Still fuzzy,” I admitted.

“Not fuzzy enough to distract from a game of cards though, is it?” he checked seriously.

“No, Sir,” I denied that I was in no way ready for this. Putting twenty down on Dora’s horse racing was a different league to this sort of thing. Men had started weaving through to the playing tables, as though an invisible bell had rung out and signalled them.

The two men led us over to a table where people were waiting to begin a game. The bartender got us a round of second drinks, even though the first anywhere near finished.

“Abbey’s a stunner. You’re punching above your weight there, Cooper,” Reid said to change the subject, whilst unsuccessfully trying to fit onto a stall that was too small for him.

“Aren’t we all? My wife gets tonnes more compliments than I do.” Judge Ramsey lifted a glass in delight, tanned skin darker from the angle we were positioned at. I listened intently, waiting