Ian Rankin. Standing... Page 8.

…the universe to spring on him (to tell or ask someone something when they do not expect it) something he hadn't seen before.

Thinks we’re beneath his station (position).

Reckons (think or believe) he’s too good, and the bosses know it and have stunted (to prevent from growing or developing) him here to take him down a peg or three (to show someone that they are not as important as they thought they were).' 

There were framed portraits of them on the desk, alongside other photos showing Robison herself posing at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (is one of Australia's most well-known and photographed landmarks) and seated at the controls of a light aeroplane.

She had recently started to dye (to change the colour) , not that Rebus saw anything wrong in that.

Cowan, he reckoned (think or believe), had arranged the chairs.

Cowan deflected (to prevent something from being directed at you) to comment with a thin smile.

He waited for Rebus to acknowledge (to accept) the truth of this. The retirement age had been raised, meaning those of Rebus vintage (a group of people who were active during the same particular period) could reapply.

'Thing is,' Cowan continued, leaning forward a little, 'they'll come to me for a reference (a statement of a person's good qualities, written by someone who knows the person well, that is to send to a future employer).