Chapter 20

Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Cavalier

Wednesday Jan. 14, 1920

Aoife POV

The Cavalier was located just down the main street from the docking station. It was clearly an old establishment there was even a plaque bolted to the outside saying as much. It was two stories and touted having a restaurant and bar with overnight quarters available upstairs. The outside appeared to have been retrofitted with metal sheet siding, a very industrial look. Clearly they hadn't wanted to keep whatever original charm the building once had.

Inside was dark. From the dark wood paneling covering the walls to the dark wooden coffered ceilings and the deep burgundy rugs covering the dark wood floors. All the lampshades were of stained glass, using darker colors to hinder bright light from shining through. The smoky atmosphere in the bar area made it even worse. It was obviously in need of severe ventilation.

Aoife did not see the appeal. She assumed they were perhaps going for a cozy warm welcoming atmosphere, they'd missed the mark by her estimates. It was hard not to think of the surprising welcoming atmosphere the Garrison had had. They had done it right. They had used rich warm earthy colors but had brightened it with polished metals and a decent amount of lighting that was bright but not harsh.

She found that with as thankful as she had been to get out of the elements of the wind and falling snow outside she would be even happier when she had to go back out in it. Reilly, Eirnin and Michael were with her and all though Rei and Eirnin had been her before it was clear that they were disappointed in what they were seeing.

Things had apparently changed here and judging by their reactions not for the better. She walked up to the bar and asked the bar man if he was familiar with a Calvin Jefferson. The bar man didn't speak but simply nodded his head in the direction of a back booth that was occupied by three men. She nodded her thanks and started to walk over.

It became clear by the looks that they were giving her that they thought she was in a different profession. As she neared them their comments were making it even clearer about what they believed.

"Hey Doll, you know that's quite the body you're covering up there. You might get more business if you showed a bit more skin. I know it's cold out but you could loosen a few buttons now that you're inside. Come and sit in my lap and I'll help warm you up, I promise, I'm quite the cake-eater."

"How much do you charge? Show us your gams, I'm sure they're just as hotsy totsy as the rest of you. Don't be such a flat tire Doll."

"Look at her boys, you can't afford this Sheba, she's an orchid she is. Probably peppy, a bearcat if I ever saw one."

Aoife wasn't sure if the bar man had been joshing her or not. Surely none of these three were the man she was supposed to be selling guns and ammunition to. All three of them were dressed well but more like rich college boys out on the town than shady business men looking for artillery. Their demeanors didn't infuse much confidence in their ability to pull off a buy like this either.

"You've got to be bloody fucking kidding me. None of you could possibly be Calvin Jefferson."

The man sitting in the middle that had at least thought she was a Sheba and a fucking orchid seemed to perk up at the name. His light blonde hair slicked back with enough pomade to oil the chains on a damn tank and his dull hazel eyes assessed her quickly before he spoke.

"I'm Calvin Jefferson, who might you be Chippy?"

"Chippy? What is it about my appearance that makes you think I'm a Quiff, oh no sorry, you just think I'm easy and that I'd be more than willing to spread my legs for you, no charge, am I right?"

"Look I'm waiting for someone Doll. If you didn't come over here for some company then I suggest you beat feet and move along now."

"You have no idea how much that suggestion appeals to me. I am the one you're waiting for. I believe you're supposed to have business dealings with Mr. Shelby of England. I'm here on his behalf."

She watched as the man began to study her more closely. He tilted his head and squinted his eyes. She was worried he'd hurt himself trying to think that hard.

"Naw, you can't be. You're far too "it" and a harp to boot it seems."

"I see that you've never worked with a woman before. Eirnin, I'd appreciate it if you'd continue this conversation. If I do, Mr. Shelby will be out a buyer."

Michael POV

Michael had a hard time keeping up with the conversation that was happening between Aoife and Tommy's buyer. It sounded like he was being insulting but he didn't quite understand the lingo that Colonials spoke. He did get the gist that the man didn't think Aoife was capable of doing business with him, even after she told the man she worked for Mr. Shelby.

When Aoife suggested Eirnin deal with the man he looked to her brothers and he wasn't sure that was a good idea as both of them looked ready to murder the man. So he must have been insulting to Aoife.

Before Eirnin could step forward to deal with the man Michael stepped up beside Aoife and spoke to the man she'd been talking with.

"Are you Calvin Jefferson? Yes or no?"

"Who's this sap? Scram you Limey bastard."

"Who am I? I'm a fucking Peaky Blinder, now you say you're Calvin Jefferson? Do you have the scratch you agreed to pay Mr. Shelby or not. Cause he finds out you've wasted his fucking time and money, not to mention the fact that you insulted his woman. He'll find a bloody fucking way to make sure you know what happens when you mess with a Peaky fucking Blinder. You hearing me?"

Michael watched as the man sobered up. This was a bad fucking idea. Without turning away from the man he made sure his voice was loud enough to carry to the others in his party.

"We are not selling anything to this man by order of the Peaky Blinders."

None of the Deveroux's said anything to refute his statement and they all cautiously began to exit the bar. Jefferson and his men seemed like a bunch of fucking idiots and he was positive that Tommy would've never agreed to sell them shit if he'd met the man. That didn't mean that idiots couldn't be dangerous so they made sure to keep them within eye sight as they left.

When they made it to the corridor leading to the foyer they came upon a man in a dark suit leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. The man's jacket was open and pushed to the side so his gun was in clear view. He made a tsking sound and held up his hand to stop their exit.

"Peaky Blinders, Mr. Shelby of England...the man knows how to do smart business after all. Here I thought he'd just send his shippers to make a deal. He actually sent one of his men, and apparently his own woman."

The man looked Aoife up and down, clear appreciation in his eyes before he spoke to her directly.

"It seems Mr. Shelby is a lucky man with good taste."

Aoife POV

Aoife tried to gauge the man who was enjoying his view far too inappropriately for her taste. This man with his clothing and the dark aura surrounding him seemed a more likely candidate for one Calvin Jefferson. This was the type of man she'd expected to be dealing with in regards to Arms. He was good looking in an unorthodox kind of way, the fedora he wore hid his hair but his brown eyes were intelligent and cunning. She kept her voice strong and all business.

"I don't like to assume things, so why don't you introduce yourself."

His thin straight lips quirked around his cigarette into a semi smile before he opened the door that was by his side and waved his hand as if to say after you. She didn't appreciate the test they'd just been put through or the fact that he'd just put her on edge by being in charge of the location they'd be doing business in. She had no idea what the man had waiting for them beyond that door. Tommy had said to take care when dealing with the man. She took a breath as she looked into the man's eyes and tried listening to what her instincts were saying.

She walked through the door. Hearing the man say for the Peaky Blinder to join them and the rest could wait out in the hall. She had no doubt that her brothers didn't like that but they took up their positions to wait for her and Michael. They knew she'd get them a sign if she needed them. She also had no doubt that they'd already signaled their boys who were stationed outside to be sharp.

The man closed the door and led the way into a side room. When she stepped through she was faced with one other man who was sitting in a chair by the open window. He had light green eyes and a mahogany mane of hair. There was a shotgun laying across his lap and he seemed to enjoy fondling it every now and again. Both men had to be in their thirties, meant they were most likely made men, she doubted they were bosses of any type.

The man in the chair looked up at them and spoke to his associate.

"Who might these two younglings be?"

"A Peaky Blinder and Mr. Shelby's very own woman."

"Is that right. An interesting combination to send to a business meeting. A bit young to be doing a deal of such importance, wouldn't you agree."

"Thought so myself."

Aoife was getting fucking irritated with this lot. She kept her voice even and calm as she addressed both men.

"As fascinating as your beliefs appear to be to you, you've wasted our time. Not only did your imbeciles in the bar irritate me, they showed a lack of respect towards Mr. Shelby."

The blonde with the shotgun answered her. So there was Calvin Jefferson.

"Terribly sorry to hear you were offended young lady."

"Ah, thank you for finally revealing yourself Mr. Jefferson. The silly little game you decided to play was unnecessary and showed the regard you hold for Mr. Shelby. I'll point out as well that he did not send us here to make a bargain with you as he's already done that himself, since it appears as though you've misunderstood the dealings you've had with him."

"Beauty, brains and guts. Not many women who'd ever dare speak to me that way. We could move this transaction along more smoothly if you'd be willing to show me the kindnesses that Mr. Shelby apparently receives."

"The kindnesses that Mr. Shelby receives. You are telling both of us that you have the five hundred pounds worth of Colony paper here with you and are ready to hand it over and discuss the timeframe for which you can pick up the cargo and pay the remaining five hundred pounds worth of Colony paper upon receipt of it. IF I show you the same kindnesses that I show Mr. Shelby?"

"He's your lover but you call him Mr. Shelby. Surely it's your business and you've attached yourself to the biggest man in your small little pond. He'd appreciate you helping to move this along in his favor I'm sure."

Aoife could see Michael tensing up in outrage and anger. She felt it herself too but she needed to maintain her facade.

"I call Mr. Shelby a lot of things but you will only ever know him as Mr. Shelby. Before I agree to help anything move along, show me the scratch."

Jefferson made a motion with his hand and brown eyes moved to the corner of the room opening a closet and pulling out a bag before setting it on the table in front of her and Michael. Jefferson's voice grated on her nerves as he pompously gave her permission to open it. She unlatched the clasp and folded the leather lip out of the way.

The bag was indeed filled with Colony bills, she ran her hands through the bag as though she was sifting through it to see if it was all there or not. It was the entire thousand pounds worth she was sure. Unfortunately she could tell from the feel of the paper that it was all counterfeit.

Flipping the leather back over and catching the clasp to close it up she slowly stood and walked towards Jefferson without saying a word. With each step she took she raised the fabric of her skirt a bit more. She watched as a triumphant smirk donned upon the despicable man's face.

"A woman that doesn't mind an audience it would seem."

"Oh, what's going to happen is nothing that these two men haven't seen before, I'm sure."

As she reached Jefferson's knees he raised the shotgun pointing it up towards the ceiling with one hand. She placed her knees on either side of his thighs bracing them both into the chair. Before he knew what was happening she'd pulled her knife that had been strapped to her thigh. And used her free hand to twirl the shotgun round in his own loosened grasp so that it pointed down at his lap. She pressed her blade into his neck and locked her finger onto the shotguns trigger as she leaned her weight on it so the barrel pressed into the cock he seemed to be so proud of.

She heard brown eyes pull his gun and could see him in her peripheral as he pointed it at her head. She heard the tsking sounds that Michael made to the man, mimicking him from earlier. She had no doubt that Michael's own gun was pointed at brown eyes.

Knowing Michael had her covered she turned her full attention to Jefferson. He was surprised by the turn of events. It would seem he wasn't used to not getting what he wanted.

"Mr. Jefferson. I'm going to explain something to you. I'm going to speak slowly so that I know you understand what I'm saying. Are you listening to me Mr. Jefferson?"

He gulped lightly but she didn't ease on the pressure she was applying to his neck.

"Mr. Shelby doesn't share...anything...including me. You tried to taste a piece of something that belongs to him. When all the while you planned on stiffing him. The scratch in that bag is worthless Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Shelby doesn't accept funny money for payments and well he'd be disappointed to hear that you'd tried to double cross him, in more ways than one. Isn't that right Blinder?"

Michael's voice was strong and stern, she imagined the look on his face would be that of blank stone, all business and no emotion.

"That's right. You've insulted him more than once. Mr. Shelby is a business man and he doesn't take kindly to people who think they're smarter than him."

"What shall we do with the two of you? Hm. If it's not painfully obvious to you already, I'm afraid that Mr. Shelby will not be honoring his bargain with you. You've proven to be too inept, green, wet behind the ears, unskilled, unseasoned, or how about ignorant. I'm sure out of all the descriptive words I've used to tell you you're nothing but a naive little man who's trying to pretend to be bigger than he is, one of them will stick with you."

She saw the anger popping in the man's eyes.

Her voice remained calm though she did note the air of utter disbelief behind her next words.

"What did you expect to happen? A man with a ruthless reputation was offering to sell you serious military grade guns and ammunition. What? That you could do him over? That he was all the way in England and you were somehow out of his reach? What do you suppose Mr. Shelby's orders would be in this situation? Hmm? Give the man a hint Blinder."

"An example would have to be made. Wouldn't do to let others outside England think they could get away with trying to, what did you call it...stiff him."

"Indeed, an example."

Jefferson's voice interrupted them, "He has his woman and a fucking kid do his dirty work for him?"

"Now, now Mr. Jefferson if you hadn't crossed him, we wouldn't be doing anything other than business with you. The way I see it. Your current situation is a direct result of your own actions. However if you feel as though you'd rather have someone older make an example out of you I can arrange that."

Aoife gave a quick toss of her head and Eirnin was vaulting through the open window. He made a sharp whistle upon his entrance and the door into the room was opened as Reilly stepped inside as well.

"Now Mr. Jefferson, I'm going to remove this blade from your neck, but please keep in mind that I'm doing what you wanted and my focus is trained on your family jewels."

Aoife removed the knife and quickly slipped it back into its sheath before ensuring that she had a solid grasp on the shotguns trigger. She slowly extricated herself from the chair and took hold of the shotgun with both hands aiming it properly at the man's nether region.

Reilly had disarmed brown eyes and he was on his knees. As she kept the shotgun trained on Jefferson, Eirnin searched him for any other weapons.

"He's clean. What about the idiots in the bar and the bar man? They'd be able to identify us."

"Leaving such a mess I'd feel terrible for the maids who'd have to clean it. It's a shame really the Cavalier is a landmark, says so right on that plaque outside...Really not sure why you decided to commit suicide in such a spectacular fashion Mr. Jefferson."

At her last words, Eirnin and Reilly quickly and quietly used their own blades to silence the two men for good. They each made sure to stay still until their last breaths were drawn. Reilly started to knock softly along the walls near the gas fireplace until he heard the tell tale difference in sound when he came across the gas line. Taking his ceramic blade he stabbed straight into the line through the wall. They heard a hiss and smelled the gas as he removed his blade.

Aoife grabbed the bag of fake money and Eirnin grabbed one of the cigarettes that brown eyes had in his pocket and waited for the rest of them to exit into the hall and close the door behind them. She knew he'd lock and bar it from the inside before he'd drop the lit cigarette inside as he left through the window, being sure to close it behind him.

She slipped her hand into the crook of Michaels elbow as they sauntered out into the foyer being sure to speak to one another about looking forward to when they'd be finishing business with Mr. Jefferson, so they could leave Virginia behind them. Making it seem that whatever business they'd had with Jefferson had gone according to their plan.

They were fifteen steps outside when they heard the loud bells ringing behind them. Her man Will had done his job and pulled the alarm to give the innocent people inside time to get out of the building. They were halfway back to the docking station when Eirnin and Will joined their group from a side alley. They heard the explosion sound off behind them. They turned around the same as everyone else, pretending to wonder what had just happened. When the people around them started to panic they continued on in a hurried fashion same as those around them so they didn't seem out of place.

When they reached the Adelisa they'd be undocking and moving on.