Chapter 10 - A Bill of Health
John, Arthur, and a group of their men traveled to London a few weeks later. The brothers had not spoken much in that time span. A ghostly emptiness followed them as they walked through the streets. One crucial knot unraveled the tightly knit trio. Schemes past made, disappeared. Treasured knowledge, never disclosed. Even their sister kept herself out of eyes and hears. Nevertheless, John and Arthur carried on through the bustle of the city. The Italian dog preyed for the unprotected meat. Their men took tables around them as Arthur and John seated at a public restaurant. Sabini was finishing a meal when he looked up to see the two Shelby brothers joining him.
"You're late, we could have at least shared one meal together. Who knows, it could be our last," remarked Sabini. Arthur clenched his jaw in protest.
"And where's the leader of your pack, hmm?" he continued.
"He couldn't make it," replied Arthur through his teeth.
"Oh, he couldn't make it. He couldn't make it … that's insulting that is. Are the Peaky Blinders too good for people these days, I wonder," hissed Sabini.
"We know of your spies," John interjected. He grew tired of Sabini's playful contempt.
"Yeah," added Arthur.
"We know what information they have because we know what information we give them,"" continued John confidently. Sabini signaled for a waiter. He whispered something in his ear and nodded towards a nearby table.
"You mean, those spies, over there," Sabini said smoothly as the pointed in the direction the waiter went. John and Arthur turned around to find unwanted familiar faces.
"You should have killed them, because now I can replace them with new ones and still keep the old," he said satisfied. John and Arthur looked lost. John's heart sank with his confidence.
"Next time, make sure your gypsy king makes it, because you two clowns don't have enough in your balls to fill his shoes," Sabini said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. Arthur's fist tightened.
"Speaking of fill, how is your gypsy king? In good health? I heard he's filling out quite nicely, and of course without your help."