Chapter 21

"Where on earth are the guns!" Tommy spat, overlooking Mr Thorne laying on the hotel floor. George was shaking barely able to speak.

"They're hidden inside the toilet cistern" he stammered. Tommy rushed over to the bathroom door and tried opening it.

"Fuck sake why won't it open is there somebody in there" Tommy sighed, annoyed that he couldn't go straight inside.

"Yes, Mr Shelby sir, I had to send her in there it was for the best Mr Thorne came just as she arrived. He wants me to give her to him, but I couldn't so she's in the bathroom" George announced, Tommy was lost he didn't know who he was referring to.

"Come on open the door please" Tommy called, hoping to entice the person inside to open up. Thea felt relief as she heard the familiarity of Tommy's voice. She was confined to the bath tub after hearing shouting and gun shots coming from the outside, she felt like she should have gone out and helped George, but she knew she had to stay hidden.

As Tommy waited, he looked over to Mr Thorne and back up to George.

"What happened here?" Tommy fumed.

"He tried to kill me; I had no choice but to fight back" George announced.

"do you realise who he is?" Tommy asked.

"Yes" George nodded unable to say anything else, he knew he was now in a terrible mess which was about to get a whole lot worse.

As Thea opened the door tears stained her face, her hand shook as she turned the lock.

"Are you hurt?" Tommy asked as he saw how broken Thea looked as she stepped gently out of the bathroom, he stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

"No" she shook her head accepting his hug and buried herself safely in his embrace.

"It's all going to be okay I promise" Tommy soothed, he felt her body shake he tried his best to settle her.

"George I don't want to see you again am I clear?" Tommy announced, gently letting Thea go, he turned her around and wrapped his arm around her protectively.

"I can't just leave" George protested.

"I won't repeat myself I want you out of this city by night fall" Tommy spat, he wanted to hurt him for involving Thea but part of him knew he kept her out of the way, so he owed him something.

"But Mr Shelby sir I want to stay here I want to make things right with Thea" George said, looking over at her with sadness in his eyes, Thea knew getting back together wasn't on the cards now.

"George please go, if you don't, you'll end up dead" Thea added, she left Tommy's side and walked over to George and placed her hand on his cheek.

"I'm sorry that it has come to this, but I can't see you again" Thea said sternly, she couldn't cry anymore she had to be strong.

"Thea please" George begged.

"Tommy I'll be downstairs come find me when you're ready" Thea dropped her hand gently from George's face and stepped away from him, she turned to Tommy as she walked out of the room joining her sister in the hotel bar. She made her way downstairs with her head held high proud of her strength.

Tommy rushed into the bathroom to look for the guns, he was happy to find them so he could finally get this mess sorted.

"As a thank you for taking care of the guns I have a reward for you" Tommy handed George a wad of cash.

"It'll be enough for a new life just you and your mother" Tommy announced; George looked at the money now in his hand.

"Thank you, why are you doing this?" George was taken a back by this.

"Please don't ask questions just accept the money and leave. Thea loves you and I can't have your death on my conscience" Tommy said. George looked over to Mr Thorne, Tommy picked up on this.

"I'll sort this" Tommy sighed; he knew his good friend Johnny Dogs could help him out with this one if needed but he had an idea of his own. Tommy waited for George to leave, he was relieved to see that there wasn't a lot of blood on the carpet, there was enough to form some evidence of how the man died. Tommy retrieved a towel from the bathroom and picked up the firearm that was used, he laid it on the bed. He then picked up Mr Thorne and placed him on the bed using a sheet to avoid touching him, he positioned him on the bed and made it look as though he'd taken his own life. He quickly noticed there was a small blood stain at a safe distance from the bed and some blood spatter on the wall he seemed pleased with himself at how he'd worked it all out. Before leaving the room, he made sure to put Mr Thorne's finger prints onto the gun so George's wouldn't show up if the police were to analyse it. He then left and met Ada and Thea in the bar area, he had the guns inside a holdall type bag that resembled a weekender bag.

"Are you ready girls?" Tommy asked. Ada was none the wiser at what had gone on, but Thea had a lot to hide. All they needed to do is wait for the news to spread about Mr Thorne's death.

"I need to get back to Freddie he's going to think I've found a new man I've been out so long" Ada laughed as she got up.

"He probably thinks you've run off with Charlie Chaplin" Thea teased.

"Trust me if given the chance I would" Ada laughed.

"Now ladies less of the adultery threats we should be going" Tommy cleared his throat interrupting the two women from their conversation.

"Take us to the station please Tommy I want to go and see Pol she'll want to know about George being here" Thea asked, she missed Pol and really could use a good old chat with her.

"Tomorrow, I don't think she'll be up to a visit so late in the day" Tommy said. Thea nodded not wanting to argue, she craved her own space and wanted to be in the confinement of her own room so she could really let her emotions run free, she carried on being herself around Ada hiding the emotions that were trying their hardest to shine through. Tommy drove Ada home and lastly drove Thea home.

"You go on in the house. Mary will still be up so she'll keep you company. There's something I've got to sort out tonight I'll see you in the morning alright" Tommy said as he pulled up outside his home.

"Okay. Thanks for earlier for helping George I mean. I've no idea what's gone on between him and Freddie's dad but I know that whatever it is, it's a lot worse than him stealing Mrs Thorne's identity" Thea sighed, she desperately wanted things to be different but life always had a habit of giving her things that she didn't want.

"Trust me I didn't do it for him, I did it for you. You wind down for the night I'll come and speak with you tomorrow and take it from there eh?" Tommy said, he could see that she wanted to be alone.

"Goodnight Tommy" Thea smiled as she got out of the car.

"Goodnight our Thea" Tommy smiled back at her, he waited till she was safe inside before he drove off.

He had borrowed the false policeman's car and promised him that he would meet him back at the hotel within the hour, at first he didn't believe that Tommy would come back but he soon saw that he was deadly serious when he told him he could have his most sacred racing horse as a gift if he didn't show up within the hour.

When Tommy pulled up outside the hotel he was relieved to see the man waiting for him.

"Wow Mr Shelby you're early" he said, checking his watch to clarify the time.

"I'm a fast driver and I always keep to my word. Now do you want these bloody guns or what?" Tommy had had enough of him already.

"Oh yes" the man rubbed his hands together in delight.

Tommy handed him the holdall full of firearms.

"There you are all 12 guns. Now I'll be keeping your car, lets call it compensation for all the trouble these have caused" Tommy announced dangling the keys in front of the man.

"What will you do if I don't allow you to take it" the man asked.

"I'll kill you and all of your family" Tommy spat.

"Very well then take the car" the man sighed.

Tommy drove back home with a smirk on his face he was relieved that the trouble with the guns was over and pleased with his new motor. His only challenge now was ensuring that Thea was able to keep everything to herself. When he settled down for the night all he could see was Mr Thorne's face as he closed his eyes…...