Chapter 21

Birmingham

Friday Jan. 16, 1920

Tommy POV

Lickey Tea Rooms was for posh clientele and it showed. It was located in a nicer richer locale of Birmingham. Everything was white and gold and fucking floral. Large windows let the light from outside in and lit the room up to show the sparkling crystal chandeliers and the polished shine of the silverware.

It was the type of place that others had been sure he'd never see the inside of when he was growing up on the dirty streets of Small Heath. Never believed he'd ever be able to afford or have the general respectability to attend tea there. He had an idea that was part of the Inspectors plan, to try and make him feel uncomfortable in his surroundings. Out of place and therefore more likely to make a misstep. Either that or the man was going to try and ask him for help and wanted to show him what helping him could possibly garner him.

The Inspector had done his homework but apparently had no idea the type of man he was dealing with. His surroundings didn't bother him. He could in fact afford to dine at such establishments and he didn't fucking need anything that the Inspector could offer him.

The man had accosted two of his men in order to send him a message. He hadn't had the balls to invite him himself. He'd thought about refusing the invitation but had decided it would be wiser to meet the man and see what he had to say. He'd be easier to deal with once he knew how the man intended to make a play for the guns he was after.

He was shown into the tea room and he saw one man seated at the far corner table, his back facing the wall so that he could survey the entire room. All it's entrances and everyone who entered, a big fucking sign saying, I'm a copper.

He sized the man up as the Inspector did the same upon watching him enter. He made his way over and took a seat across from the man. He had John and Scudboat outside watching the front along with two others watching the back. From where he was seated John could see him clearly and would know if something wasn't right inside.

Tommy remained quiet, he'd wait for the Inspector to speak, it was his way. He never liked to give his opponent the opportunity to glean more information than he wanted them to so he listened more than he talked.

The Inspector was younger than Campbell had been. When he'd researched the man he'd found that unlike Campbell he'd served his country in France. His posts had been the farthest from the fighting there were. Tommy had no doubt he'd gotten the cushy assignment because his father was big in parliament, a lord. Campbell had had a reputation to uphold, the new one was trying to make his career, building his reputation. The Inspector was a third son and so had to work for his own future.

"Thomas Shelby, thank you for accepting my invitation. I chose this place as it's a neutral location for us both."

"I'm a busy man Inspector. What do you want?"

"Straight to business, all right. I'm going to be frank with you. I've been doing research. On you, on your family, your business, allies, enemies. Research on the BSA factory and multiple others in your area. I've talked to a lot of different people and organizations. There is one thing that continues to be a common factor. One thing that always comes up when I ask them about a stolen shipment of government arms. Can you guess what that one thing is Mr. Shelby?"

Tommy shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, "Not a clue."

"Hmm. I'll tell you. Everyone's fingers are pointing at the Peaky Blinders. If I'm not mistaken you are the leader of the Peaky Blinders. Your position among them leads me to believe that you are aware of everything that happens within your...organization."

"Is there a question somewhere in there?"

"Mr. Shelby. What is the location of the stolen shipment of government arms and munitions?"

Tommy leaned forward and looked straight into the man's eyes before speaking clearly and concisely.

"Inspector Taylor. I do not have your stolen goods and I do not know where they are."

"Interesting. I find it hard to believe that all of my sources are incorrect."

"Perhaps you need better more reliable sources then."

"Perhaps Mr. Shelby, I find it hard to believe that with as much...authority...as it appears you have. You somehow have no idea what is going on in your own backyard. I was under the impression that no one did anything in Small Heath without your express order or permission."

"Hm. With all the research you've been doing. Into me, my family, my business, allies and enemies. Did it never cross your mind that perhaps one of those enemies wanted to make it look like I had something to do with your stolen goods."

"I believe if that had been the case you would have dealt with those enemies already."

"There is one thing that I believe firmly in, when it comes to business Inspector Taylor."

"And what is that one thing Mr. Shelby?"

"Timing. Now if there's nothing else, as I said, I'm a busy man."

"Just one last item I'd like to discuss with you Mr. Shelby, if you please.'

Tommy settled back in his chair and arched his brow at the man across from him.

"There's been some interesting recent chatter from across the pond. A coastal town in the Colony of Virginia."

Tommy could tell the Inspector was fishing, searching his face for some clue if anything he was saying bothered him at all. He made sure to impart a look of boredom and disinterest as the man continued.

"Seems an establishment exploded, several bodies were found inside, unidentifiable."

"Why share this chatter with me?"

"Mm. The Colonial Authorities believe that the bodies inside the building were members of a group they were keeping track of. A group who'd shown great interest in obtaining some weaponry. They believed that the leader of the group was meeting with a possible seller. The cause of the explosion hasn't been identified yet, they're considering the possibility that whomever they were meeting with was in the building as well."

"And you're imparting this information to me because? What? My standing in my community might afford me my own chatter about what's going on in the fucking Colonies? You think your missing guns are the ones these Colonial's were trying to purchase? You wanted to study my face as you told me to see my reaction to your words? I've already told you Inspector Taylor, I don't have your guns and I don't know where they are."

"But you have an inkling that one of your enemies has set this all up to look like you're the one behind it's theft. Why don't you share which one of your enemies you believe it to be, hmm?"

"Now Inspector Taylor, isn't locating the governments missing artillery, your job?"

"Mr. Shelby I'd hate to have you arrested for willfully perverting the course of Justice."

"Oh, Inspector Taylor, I've told you I don't know anything. Suspecting something is much different than knowing something. If I'm wrong, I'd be worried you'd arrest me for what would you call it... Prevarication? Wouldn't want to point you in the wrong direction now would I. Do enjoy the rest of your day Inspector Taylor."

Camden Town

Solomon's Bakery

Alfie POV

Alfie stood in the doorway to his office watching and listening as Ollie gave Tommy Shelby a hard time. Normally Ollie would have let the man in and he'd have found his way back to him at his own pace. He'd been right fucking surprised to hear Tommy giving Ollie shite, right fucking surprised. Which was why Ollie was given it right back to the man, eh.

He started walking his way up front and as he got closer he did take note of the irritation that was clear on Tommy's face. Something had the man acting out of fucking character. Right fucking strange.

"Put him down Ollie, put him down mate, he's only little."

After Ollie released Tommy he studied the usually composed man. He directed his words to Shelby as he turned around and headed back toward his office. Turning slightly as he spoke so he could see Tommy's face.

"Well you're a brave lad today, ain't ya? Comin' 'ere and starting up with Ollie straight in the door."

Tommy remained silent until they reached his office and closed the door behind them. Taking a seat behind his desk he opened his drawer and pulled out a bottle of his white and two glasses. It was clear that Shelby was in need of some proofing water.

He watched Tommy shake his head to refuse, but he poured it and set the glass in front of him with a direct nod of his head. Silently telling Shelby to drink the fuckin drink, right.

He watched as Tommy slammed it back and set the glass firmly back on the desk in front of him.

"Now. Why don't you tell me what the fuck 'as gotten into you, mate. Right?"

"Has the Adelisa checked in with you yet? I know they a call check in every Friday with you."

Alfie took a moment to stare at the man across from him before answering. He smoothed his beard down over his chin. He could see the impatience blossoming in Shelby, if he wasn't mistaken the man was about to lose his shite again, only this time with him, right, fucking hell.

"Not yet. Why the sudden urge to know if I've heard from 'em?"

"Fucking Taylor."

"And who's fuckin Taylor, mate, eh?"

"Inspector Taylor has been assigned to search for and recover some stolen government arms."

"Yeah. Is that right? And he's fucking talking to you about it, eh?"

"Had a meeting with him today. Brought up some 'chatter' that he'd heard from across the pond."

"Mm."

"An explosion with several casualties in Virginia."

"Explosions 'appen all the time, people 'ave a habit of dying around 'em. So why is this particular event important to us, mate?"

"Colonial officials believe it was a group they'd been tracking that were trying to buy weaponry."

"Yeah, the stolen government arms that this Taylor is looking for, right? Fuckin right Tommy...a shipment of goods that you wanted out of England. One that went out on the Adelisa...They supposed to be meeting your buyers in Virginia Tommy, eh? That's the relay that you had me send out, right. Did you fuckin come here because you're worried, you're fuckin worried that Aoife was in that fucking explosion ain't ya? YOU FUCKIN NO GOOD BRUMMIE FUCKIN BASTARD!"

Alfie wanted so badly to put a bullet through the bastards brain. But he closed his eyes and took deep cleansing breaths as his hands repeatedly fisted and un-fisted on his desk. Tommy was silent no doubt watching him in case he did pull his gun out.

He spoke to Tommy keeping his eyes closed as he wasn't sure he could keep his word to Aoife if he looked at the fucking man in front of him.

"They call in around evening our time when they can get a line out. Now fuck off."

"Fuck you Alfie."

Tommy POV

Tommy knew he was playing with fire, Alfie was pissed. He watched the mad man in front of him trying to keep himself calm, he'd no doubt that Alfie wanted him to take a trip. Alfie's eyes snapped open and stared at him after his last statement.

"Fuck me?... Is that right mate? Fuck me?"

"I'm not leaving till they call in and I hear Aoife's voice telling me she's fucking fine Alfie."

Alfie sat back in his chair, his hand continually smoothing over his beard a random scratch of his cheek on occasion. Tommy noted a questionable look enter his eyes as they stared at each other.

"You really fuckin care for her don't ya."

"Was that a question?"

"No...when I found out there was a possibility that she was sweet on you, right. I told her ta watch her step wit ya. Fuckin BE WARY wit that one. Right. Fucking brummie Gypsy bastard. Ah fuckin hell, you 'ave fuckin feelin's for her. Fucking sit here and wait for the damn line to ring. An' mate, if it turns out any of the Deveroux's were in that fuckin explosion right, your life, it's forfeit mate, yeah."

"Is my relationship with Aoife why you were fucking off the last time I came here?"

"Oh I don't need a fuckin reason to be off mate."

"You tried to keep her from getting involved with me didn't ya. You did, and she told you what, hm?"

"You want ta know what she said, yeah, right? Mm. She said she favored you, and you seemed to favor her so you were both navigaten favorin' each other. She wanted ta see where whatever was goin on between ya was headed. Asked me not ta make her choose."

"Did ya?"

"What...Fuckin hell no, I ain't daft. You never fuckin tell a Deveroux woman what ta do!"

Tommy nodded his head, "She told me that recently."

"Fuckin better believe it Tommy. Ya know she's gonna be fine don't ya?"

"How do you know?"

"It's fucking Aoife, right, eh? She's probably the one that blew the fuckin place up."

"If you believe that, then why the fucking hell were you yelling at me?"

"Cause it's your shipment, your fuckin shipment right."

Tommy watched as Alfie poured more whiskey for both of them before settling back into his chair and leaning his head back as he closed his eyes.

He picked up his glass and nursed it as they waited.

"You've known them for a while now Alfie, what's your take on them?"

"The Deveroux's in general or Aoife in particular?"

"...All of it."

"Mm...You know anything about the Adelisa Aiglentine aside from the fact they're shippers willing to deal in smugglin?"

"...Family business, passed down through...eight generations. Fucking identical twins, runs in the maternal line of their family. Interesting skill sets."

"Hmph. So you're saying not much. You are in a relationship with Aoife are you not?"

"Fucking hell Alfie, yes. Not like we've had a whole lot of fucking time to share our life stories though, eh."

"Mm. When you're involved wit one of the Empyrean things tend ta move at a quick pace. Goes along wit them always flying off into the sunset as it were...The Adelisa Aiglentine 'as a reputation among those of their kind. 'Adn't realized it me self till I started doing business wit 'em."

"A reputation?"

"They're smugglers Tommy. They know how to protect themselves, they can read situations just like you and me. Up there, in their community among airships, you don't fuckin mess wit 'em. They ain't afraid ta make a point and they ain't gonna hesitate ta pull a fuckin trigger if need be. Others, they go ta 'em when they need help. The Adelisa is an ally you want ta have and an enemy you never want ta make, mate."

"Empyrean?"

Yeah. We call 'em airmen, right. They're actually classified as members of the Empyrean Primacy. Just like down 'ere we got the poor sops, the working class, aristocracy, royalty. There are different levels of 'class' up there. The fuckin Adelisa Aiglentine, like fuckin royalty, right. Generations of 'em all born up there in the sky...Empyreans. Spend more of their lives in the air, travelling the world and seeing more things than most men, even our fucking King, will ever see. They got a different system for fuckin life up there Tommy, eh."

"Royalty?"

"Yeah, what...you got a problem with being involved with a veritable princess Tommy? You supposedly have Gypsy Royalty in your fuckin blood don't ya? Bout the fuckin same difference. Right."

"Different life system?"

"Fuckin hell...yeah, you know. They have their own fuckin traditions From how they fuckin propose marriage to their damn funeral celebrations. Do you have any idea how rare it is for a true member of the Empyrean Primacy to take a 'grounder' as theirs? The odds Tommy, I'd never lay a fuckin bet on it, right."

"But it does happen?"

"It's not announced, so don't fuckin say nothin, yeah? I asked Aine and she said yes. She's gonna come dockside."

"Congratulations Alfie."

"Aye. Now, it's proof it fuckin 'appens. Right. Aine may be coming dockside and'll be spending most of her time on the ground, doesn't make her a grounder. She'll always be Empyrean, we ever want to leave the fuckin ground, we can. Same goes for any little ones we 'ave, they'd be welcomed wit open arms. Now you marry into a class lower than Empyrean, the rules change. Fuckin shite gets complicated."

The line in the room started ringing and Alfie grabbed it up to his ear. Tommy had leaned forward and was listening in as best he could.

Airship Adelisa Aiglentine

Aine POV

"Alfie?"

Aine heard a deep sigh of relief come through the line before Alfie's voice came through.

"Aine, Luv. Tell me everything's fine."

"I take it you heard we ran into a spot of bad weather."

"Yeah, have Aoife's man sitting in my office right now, refuses ta leave till he speaks wit Aoife."

"If he's got a problem with his fucking..."

"Aine! He doesn't fuckin care. Right."

"...All right. I'll send a man to tell her the line is for her."

Aine wrote a quick note on the pad in front of her before tossing it to Chen who was walking past the doorway. He saw it coming and caught it. She watched as he read it then gave her a salute to let her know he'd get Aoife for her. She turned her attention back to what Alfie was saying.

"Good, great, now why don't you fuckin tell me about this weather, eh."

"I didn't venture out in it Alfie, I was on board. Aoife, Eirnin and Rei went down with Michael and a few other men. None of them has said a whole lot since they came back aboard, it was freezing and they needed to warm up from the cold. They got topside and started ordering the release from docking. From what I understand the weather appeared to only be getting worse and they wanted to ship out before we got landlocked.

"Right, yeah. So fuckin wind and snow then?"

"Aye. Heavy winds and the snow was really starting to come down in flurries "

"Mm."

"Like I said Alfie, they haven't said all that much. I can't tell you what I don't know. I can tell you that we are all fine, all of us. Aoife's here now Alfie. I'll talk more to you when Aoife 's finished reassuring her man it was just a bit of weather."

"All right Luv."

Aine stood up and handed the mic over to Aoife who took the seat she just vacated. She squeezed her sisters shoulder before stepping out of Comms and closing the door behind her to allow Aoife some privacy.

Aoife POV

Aoife took a deep breath and held it in before releasing it as quietly as she could. She could make out Alfie's voice speaking to she would assume, Tommy before she heard the clap of a door closing. Alfie had probably explained to Tommy the risk of speaking freely in this situation. It was highly possible that the lines were being listened to by ground authorities since they'd been docked near the location of questionable activity.

After one more breath she put the line to her ear, "Darlin? You there?"

She heard a heavy sigh and could picture Tommy running his hand through his hair as his stiff posture relaxed upon hearing her voice.

"Aoife, you're all right aren't ya? You ain't feeling like you're coming down with anything?"

"I'm fine Darlin, warmed up perfectly once we returned topside. Have you received my package yet? I've already started to write you again."

"...And I'll look forward to reading it Aoife, your parcel hasn't made it to me yet though. I'll check the post when I get home. Did you manage a visit with your friend before the storm hit?"

"I did. I'd forgotten how much she enjoyed playing games. We were playing a game of Checkers just fine until I caught her cheating. Can you believe that? I guess her competitive streak grew since we were children. At any rate I noticed the weather changing drastically outside and I wanted to head out to beat the storm. Good thing too, may have gotten landlocked if I hadn't."

"Glad to hear it. I'm distressed to hear your friend wasn't the girl you once knew."

"Ah. So it goes Darlin, people change, you never know, right."

"Right. I'll see you when you return Luv, and I'll be sure to look for that letter."

"Just remember Darlin, for your eyes only. I'd be terribly embarrassed to find out any of your siblings had seen it."

"My eyes only Luv. Get some rest and stay warm."

"I will. You be sure to sleep as well. Till next time Darlin."

"Till next time Luv.

Aoife put the line down on the desk in front of her and stepped out into the hall. Aine nodded at her before she returned inside to speak more with Alfie. What she wouldn't give to be able to have spoken to Tommy like they were having a regular conversation. Even just to be able to say his damn name. She hadn't wanted whomever might be listening in to gather any information that could be helpful to them though, so Darlin it was.

He sounded relieved. She hoped he was sleeping all right, perhaps she should start taking notes about what she wanted to ask him when she did get the chance to honestly speak with him. She found he'd made several appearances in her dreams since she'd left Birmingham. Damn images in her brain wanted to lure her into staying in bed with her eyes closed.

So instead of giving into being a lazy louse she'd started writing Tommy letters. It wasn't as gratifying to her as hearing his voice speaking to her, but she figured it would bring Tommy some happiness to be able to sort of have her there with him when he received them. A bit like how she'd written Alfie during the war. Only the contents being much, much different.

She made her way back down to her cabin and returned to the letter she'd been working on when Chen came to get her.