Authors Note: Sorry for the delay in getting this next chapter out. My internet connection has been spotty this summer. I'm already working on the next chapter and hope that once the kiddos are back in school I'll be able to concentrate on writing a bit more consistantly. Enjoy and please review - I always enjoy finding out how readers are feeling about the story, characters, plot line, ect...
Chapter 40
Small Heath - Birmingham - England
Wednesday February 25, 1920
The Den
Esme POV
Now that she'd been working at the den for a bit she felt confident in what was expected of her. John was still in the house with Arthur and Polly, Lizzie wasn't supposed to come in till later. She opened the cage and went into the filing cabinet to pull out the books that needed to be dispersed. She went about depositing them on their designated tables and making sure that there were plenty of pens available at each desk.
She was finishing up with the morning prep when there was a jiggle at the door to the street. She thought about yelling at whoever it was that they weren't open yet but figured they would realize that since the door was locked. She went about the next item on her list when she heard the lock click and the door open. Worried that someone had actually picked the lock to get inside she was just about to scream for John when she recognized the man in the door.
She took deep breaths with her hand held to her heart as she calmed. He walked in closing and locking the door behind him before studying her. As always he made it hard to breath, she felt like she was under a microscope and he was one second away from finding fault in her. His voice was low as he came further inside.
"Didn't mean ta startle ya, Esme. There been trouble while I've been gone?"
"No. Just didn't know ya were goin' ta be back today. Everyone's in the kitchen."
He nodded at her before walking passed and into the house. Her heart finally returned to normal and she wondered if there would ever come a day when she would be comfortable around the man. She heard the muted shout of Arthur welcoming Tommy home. Opting to stay clear of the family reunion she continued on with her morning duties.
John POV
He'd just about cleaned his breakfast plate when Tommy came through the door to the den. Arthur had been finished for a bit now and they'd just been discussin' the Garrison. Arthur noticed Tommy at the same time he did and was up and out of his chair with a loud whoop of his name and hug for havin' him home. He knew Arthur was excited to show Tommy the Garrison now that it was basically finished and just about ready for opening.
Polly leaned up against the counter and sipped her tea, she was studying Tommy closely, maybe hoping she could tell if his business trip went well or not by lookin' at him. He took note that Esme didn't come in with Tommy but stayed in the Den. He'd have to speak with her later about that. Focusing his attention on Tommy he finished his last bit of egg and went to put the dish in the sink before turning back to his brothers.
"It's 'bout time ya came home Tommy. Your trip get the results ya wanted?"
"And then some John. How have things gone here?"
"Good. Ya inspect the new cage on your way in?"
"No, I'll take a look at it later. Seem ta have given Esme a bit of a fright comin' in unexpected."
"Eh. She wasn't expectin' ya, none of us were, 'cept maybe Aunt Pol. Business has been good. The Lee's are ready and waiting for orders. It's been quiet on the Inspector Taylor front, copper presence is normal. Haven't heard anything from Solomons and no noise from Kimber either."
"Good. That's all good. Arthur?"
Arthur POV
"Good Tommy! The Pubs 'bout ready for openin'. Buildings done, it's all furnished and stocked, fully operational. Got an in house brew master and we've got four of our very own house brews. If you're not busy today ya can come by and see it for yourself, eh."
"Should be able ta. What are we waitin' on in order to open?"
"A...a...a barman. I asked Devlin if he was interested in resuming the position but he's got himself a decent payin' job elsewhere... Grace came by and asked about the position a couple of weeks ago and I told her I hadn't been ready to hire anyone yet."
"Alright. Put an ad in the paper and setup interviews with anyone who applies. Not Grace though, we don't have a job for her."
"Yeah, yeah, okay Tommy."
"She been around?"
"No, I haven't seen her since she came by askin' 'bout the job."
He heard Aunt Pol tut and sigh before answering Tommy herself.
Polly POV
"She's been round here and there. Askin' questions of others and of us. Wonderin' where ya are, when you're goin' to be back, what you're up to. She's been told nothin', mostly because no one knows anything."
"Who's she talked to?"
"Don't know specifics, birdies talk about her interests. She was asking about what business you had in Camden. Asking about specifics for your current situation. Came to visit with me at the church earlier this week. Told her she might want to stop asking questions before she got in trouble."
She watched Tommy as he poured himself a cup of tea, nodding his head slowly, thoughts ping ponging around his head.
"Next time any of you run into her, I want a word. Here in the den, in me office. Polly I'll need a thousand pounds, we have that ta spare?"
"What do you need it for?"
"To get Grace out of fuckin' England."
"You're going to pay her to leave, you can't be fuckin' serious Tommy. She ran off with our money last time."
"Which is the reason she wouldn't accept anything when I offered her help to leave England after she first got here. I want her out of Birmingham, out of fuckin' England and I don't care if I have to give her more ta make her leave."
"This about Aoife, Tommy? Or you?"
"... I want her gone before Aoife gets here. Gone before black star day."
"You don't still care for her do you Tommy? Tell me you don't."
"...What do you want me to say Pol? Do I care for Grace...yes, I also hate her and distrust her, given our history. Why don't ya ask me if I love her Pol? Go ahead."
"Do you love her?"
"No. She is not now nor will she ever be who I want or who I need. Satisfied?"
"Is Aoife stayin' after she returns?"
"...I don't know Pol. But she shouldn't have ta deal with Grace's presence when she does get here. Now I'll ask ya again, are there funds available?"
"Yes."
Tommy POV
"Set them aside for when she shows up. Once she hears I'm back in Small Heath I'm sure it won't be long. John it's just about time to open up for the day. Arthur, I need to clean up. You can either wait for me or I'll come by the Garrison when I'm done."
Aunt Pol turned away from him, using the excuse to rinse out her cup and wash the breakfast dishes. He knew she wasn't pleased with the idea of paying Grace to leave but it was the quickest way other than a bullet and a grave to get rid of her.
Arthur was nodding and sitting back down in his chair, refilling his tea, while he said he'd wait for him before heading over to the Garrison.
John was leaning against the sideboard, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at the doorway into the den.
"Kids are fine John. Having a good time, makin' friends and learnin' stuff. They miss ya but their hangin' in there and they know they'll be home soon."
"How'd ya know? You manage a check in with 'em while you were away?"
"My business was with the Adelisa, I met up with 'em. Spent a couple days hashin' out the plan and what I needed from 'em ta get this business wrapped up. Got to see the kids, spend time with 'em while I was there."
"Oh...good, that's good."
John pushed off the sideboard and headed into the den to open up for the day and get things running.
"I'll be down when I'm ready Arthur."
Arthur nodded and drank his tea, looking between him and Aunt Polly. Her voice piped up before he could exit the room.
"Glad you're home safe Tommy. You be wantin' any breakfast before you head out."
"No...That's alright I had an early breakfast before we docked in England."
Polly nodded but kept her back to him as she continued to wash the dishes. He turned quickly and headed up to his room to take care of a couple of things before settlin' back into his reality.
*0*
The Garrison
He walked quietly beside Arthur down Watery Lane. He was waiting patiently for Arthur to speak what was on his mind. He could tell there was something his brother wanted to say or speak about but for some reason he was having some trouble gettin' whatever it was out.
"...Tommy..."
"Yeah."
"...Ah, never mind."
"...Alright."
They made the turn off Watery on to Garrison and he could see the new building ahead of him. They'd rebuilt in brick and the inside was structurally supported with steel beams and under layed with steel sheeting. Should another accident happen in the future the damn thing wouldn't burn to the ground. They had of course installed an emergency mist sprinkler system in the ceilings and had cooling grids installed between the metal plating and the floor boards. The idea was that the steam it would create would smother the fire out.
"She looks good from the outside Arthur. All of our safety measures installed without incident?"
"Yeah. No one made a peep about the changes ya wanted."
"And there's no need to worry about the contractors speakin' out of turn?"
"None. They all knows what'll happen if they share any details about the place."
"Good. Is that a neon sign above the door Arthur?"
"...Ah, yeah...it's...just..."
"Addin' a bit of big city charm to our little corner, eh."
"...You like it?"
"It's your name above the door Arthur, I told ya you were in charge... What color is it when it's on?"
"Green."
"I'm sure it'll look nice."
As they reached the front door of the Pub Arthur removed a key ring from his pocket and worked on unlocking the outer doors. Stepping into the vestibule he noted a small room to the left with a half counter. After Arthur unlocked the inner doors and turned around sheepishly watching him as he took in the alteration to the floor plan.
"What's this then Arthur?"
"...Ah, that's goin' ta be the coat check. I know there's no need of one for the pub but Polly made mention that the customers to the tea room might have use of one."
"Mm."
"Right, ah, come on inside and have look."
He stepped into the main room and stopped just inside the doors. Arthur ran back behind the bar into the stock room and the lights flicked on. It was similar to the original pub but had its differences. Keeping the stained glass over head lighting had been a good decision. It allowed the dark room to have a since of natural lighting. They'd kept the windows into the pub minimal, the ones they did have were placed higher up the walls than were typical.
He turned to his right and took a look into the snug. Sedate but clearly comfortable and a bit more posh than the last. Stepping into the room he noted the ceiling was a stamped copper tin tile, the sprinkler system ran intricately about its back drop. They'd kept the five panes of overlarge windows to allow for natural lighting but they were frosted so no one could tell who was in the room from the outside. He'd also had bullet resistant glass panels used instead of regular glass. The snug window and door could only be locked from the inside and it too was bullet resistant. An understated crystal chandelier hung over the table. The booth and chair seating upholstered in rich shades of velvet like material.
"Let me guess, Aunt Polly chose the fabrics and lighting?"
"Aye, she and Esme looked at several options and Aunt Pol decided we needed a little bit of... elegance."
Tommy chuckled lowly and took a deep breath before turning to head back into the pub. The ceiling was still tin tiled but unlike the snug it was also coffered and the intricate piping ran along the lines of the coffers. The benches, chairs and stools were not upholstered thank the Gods. The chairs and benches seemed to be made from the same mahogany as the flooring and the bar. The tables were overlaid in zinc with rivet detailing, while the bar top, the support beams and the stair railing were all... very...very...gold.
"It's...nice Arthur...gold."
"Yeah, gives it a nice punch of posh and some extra color."
"Mm."
Looking back behind the bar Tommy noted four levels of zinc shelving with a gold tinted mirror backing. Full bottles of various booze lined each shelf, ready and waiting to be poured. Stepping behind the bar, he took note that all the glasses were housed on shelving below the bar top and there were at least four taps for drafts.
"Oh, ya need ta see the back room behind the bar Tommy."
He noticed the huge smile on Arthurs face as he opened the door to the backroom and followed his brother inside. The wall was indiscriminate shelving, housing extra stock but that wasn't what Arthur was proud of. Turning around he saw that he was able to see out into the pub. The tinted mirror was two-way.
"Where'd ya come up with this idea?"
"Ah...well, it sort of just came ta me when John and I was jokin' round about the treasurer's cage being like we had our own jail cell in the den. Got me thinkin' ya know, about the special mirrors the coppers have when they want ta watch ya without ya knowin' it."
"Where'd ya get it from?"
"Same manufacturer who did the window order, they're not supposed to make or sell it ta anyone not in law enforcement or government. They won't be tellin' anyone they made an extra piece."
"Is it bullet resistant as well?"
"Yeah."
"Good work Arthur."
"I...I had some put in the walls of the snug too."
"The mirrors that hang on the snug wall facing out into the pub, in the snug the wall paneling will drop down so's we can look out and see what's happenin' in the main room without anyone knowing"
"Hm... shall we continue the tour Arthur?"
Tommy followed Arthur back out into the main room. He examined the four large copper vats situated against the wall in the corner under the stairs a small hallway leading back into the lavatory and the office. A separate double doorway leading into the tea room, where again the furnishings and trappings were more refined like the snug. Large windows allowed for as much natural lighting as possible.
"The windows while not bullet resistant are four times thicker than regular ones and in the event of an emergency they do have the rollin' shutters installed for protection. Just need to push a button at the wait staffs station or the main switch in the pubs backroom."
"That's good, Arthur."
After a quick walk through of the tea room and the kitchen they returned to the pub and headed upstairs for a walk through of the guestrooms.
There were four of them on the second floor and two on the third. The third floor rooms were markedly more... elegant and refined than the ones on the second. They each had their own private washroom, lavatory combinations, where as the second floor rooms had to share a communal one. He also noted that the surfaces, fabrics and textures were of higher quality in the third floor rooms.
"What are the main differences in the second and third floor rooms?"
"Aside from the private washrooms, the two rooms on the third floor each have their own private telephone lines, the second floor has a communal one in a booth off the hallway. They have feather mattresses and beddin', priority air tubes down to the kitchen and pub. Dual locks on the doors and sound proofin' to cut down on the outside noise from the court. They also each have a larger steam powered stove heater for better in room heatin'. Aunt Polly outfitted them with more refined accessories as she put it."
"Alright... how's the warehouse look?"
"Good, yeah good Tommy. We've got the same fire prevention and suppression system as well as higher grade windows and additional locks on the all the doors. Everything is up to code and the structure itself has been outfitted with steel supports. And you wouldn't know about the two safe rooms unless you knew where ta look for 'em."
"Good. Anything else?"
"Well, you should probably give the house brews a taste. We had six to choose from, the four of us agreed on what we have available downstairs now."
"This is Johnny Doggs man then?"
"Yeah."
Tommy followed Arthur back downstairs and to the bar. The stools were comfortable and the bar height was decent. Patrons could settle in and spend time there without getting uncomfortable and opting for the comforts of home sooner than they should. Arthur poured 4 taster glasses for him and he took his time on each one. They were all slightly different which was good, there should be something for everyone's taste and after the first couple months of serving them they should know which ones were most imbibed.
"What's the man's name Arthur?"
"Timbo Loveridge."
"Well, I'd say he's a keeper. Aside from the need barman you've hired locals for all the other positions?"
"Yeah, just like ya suggested, people are happy that decent payin' jobs went ta our own and not outsiders. Even got the widow Davies as the head cook."
"Well then, you call the paper and get an ad in it for the barman position and then we'll figure out when ta hold the grand re-openin'."
Police Station
Inspector Taylor POV
He watched as the young officer left his temporary office and closed the door behind him. Apparently Thomas Shelby had been seen entering the newly rebuilt Garrison Pub this morning. The note he'd received had said he should reacquire his shipment by the end of March and they were still in February.
Now that Shelby had reappeared it couldn't hurt to take a moment to catch up with the man. Make sure that the note still held promise and wasn't just a ploy to keep him out of the way. He decided that a one on one meeting was in order just to satisfy his own curiosity and to remind Shelby that he wasn't going anywhere without what he came here for.
The Den
Esme POV
She was tucked away in John's office working on the books. Every so often she'd take a glance out into the den's main floor and watch as men came and went. John up at the chalkboard changing information as it came in. They really had been doing quite well, especially with the legal pitch they'd acquired and the money comin' in from Cheltenham for the protection that the Peaky Blinders provided.
They had a house, a car thanks to her father, it being part of her dowry. John had even encouraged her to update some of the furniture and redecorate a touch. She appreciated it, him makin' sure she felt like it was her home now. She understood that his first wife was a large and very important part of his past, his life. She hadn't wanted to change too much, she didn't want to erase his first wife, she just wanted to merge herself into his life and his kids lives.
She thought she'd changed the house just enough to make her feel at home and left it just enough the same as to honor the woman's memory. John had seemed to like and enjoy the changes she'd made so she found herself happy with her lot.
Just as she was closing the book she'd been workin' on John opened the office door and came inside closing the door behind him.
"Ya done for now Esme?"
"Yeah, all finished, everything looks good."
"...Good, ah...there's somethin' I wanted ta talk to ya bout."
"Yeah?"
"When Tommy came in this mornin'... he said he startled ya?"
"Oh, umm. Yeah. I just wasn't expectin' him, that's all. I heard the door jiggle and assumed it was someone waitin' for us ta open so I ignored it. Then all a sudden I hear the door opening when I know it was locked and... well I just thought for a moment that someone was breakin' in. That was of course before I recognized it was your brother."
"And when you realized it was him?"
"Just took a moment for my heart to stop beatin' out my chest."
"... Esme... I've noticed that ya don't like being in the same room with him. You're family now, ya have my name. You're a Shelby. You're allowed and quite frankly you're expected to attend family meetin's. Ya should have come in ta the kitchen when he came home."
Esme looked away from John for a moment, trying to put order to her thoughts and decide how she was goin' ta explain her feelin's to him.
"I... I'm just having a little... a difficulty being comfortable around him. He hasn't done or said anything to make me feel unwelcome. It's not his fault, it's just me. He... he scares me a bit John that's all."
John looked away from her this time and stared out the window into the den, nodding his head slowly before turnin' back to her.
"You'll never get passed that unless ya actually spend time in his company Esme. He's my brother, he's always looked out for me. I depend on him as much as he depends on me. I understand that he can seem intimidating... cold. But you need ta understand that the fact your last name is Shelby now, means that he won't hurt ya. No matter how angry or unnerving he seems ta ya, he'll never hurt ya Esme. He'll protect ya because you're one of us now."
"I'll try, John."
Seamstress Shop
Grace POV
The fact that Tommy was back washed through Small Heath like a river running to the ocean after a storm. She hadn't been sat at her station to start her day, patching up a pair of trousers and changing the hemline on a dress for more than a few minutes. Before a customer was coming through the door, asking if they'd heard yet that Tommy Shelby was seen on the streets this morning.
Apparently it had caused quite the ruckus, as some had thought that perhaps Tommy had been removed permanently and that the Shelby's were just keeping it quiet for as long as possible. Seeing as how Tommy had never been gone from Small Heath for that long a time before, except for during the war of course.
She wasn't interested in the publics rumors about his possible early demise being proved false. The only thing she cared about was the fact that she now had to ensure she had the opportunity to be in his company again.
Tuning out the gossiping customer she began stitching a patch onto the trousers she was working on, letting her mind wander to how she was going to manage to see Tommy again.
****************0***************
As it turned out she didn't need to have a plan. Lizzie arrived at the shop just before closing with a message for her. It seems Tommy wanted to see her and was requesting her presence at the den so they could have a private conversation in his office. Lizzie had seemed quite put out about the whole thing. It had to sting a bit that Tommy had sent her there to request that she meet with him.
"He'll be expectin' ya in his office when ya finish up here, if it ends up bein' after the den's closed just knock on the door."
"Do you know why he wants to see me?"
"Wouldn't know. He didn't say one way or the other."
***************0***************
The Den
She stood in front of the door to the den and took a deep breath, trying the knob she found it was locked so she tapped lightly on the door and waited. It wasn't long before the dark haired girl she'd come to learn was John's new wife opened the door.
"Ya made it. Ya know where 'is office is?"
"Yes. Thank you."
The girl nodded and stepped aside, allowing her through, relocking the door behind her. Grace noted that not only was the girl still here but so to were John, Polly and Scudboat. All busy with various work. She made her way toward Tommy's office, passing Lizzie's desk and stopping in the doorway. He was sitting at his desk, a ledger open in front of him as he ran through the information it contained. She knocked gently on the doorframe to announce her presence.
He glanced up and took her in for a moment before closing the book and setting it down on the corner of his desk.
"Have a seat Grace."
When she went to close the door behind her, his voice stopped her.
"Leave the door open."
Tommy POV
Tommy watched as Grace's face paled slightly, she took a deep breath, straightened her already straight shoulders and sat primly in the chair opposite his desk. Since the den was closed the noise level wasn't horrible, they could speak at a normal volume.
"You wanted to see me Tommy?"
"...We have something ta discuss."
Tommy watched her a moment running his thumb over his lips before he turned and opened the desk drawer holding the notes he'd had Polly gather. He took the stack of bills out and set them in the center of his desk. The stack had her attention and he noticed her tense. Grace's voice wavered slightly when she spoke.
"What's that?"
"That is one of your options Grace."
"...Options?"
The look on her face became pensive and she seemed to lose some of her confidence.
"I want ya to leave England. Don't care where ya go, as long as you're not on English soil."
"...Leave...England."
"Yes. Ya can take this stack of money, it's a thousand pounds clean cash. You can go to your flat, pack your bags and leave England in forty-eight hours, no questions asked. But we will be there to ensure ya follow through."
"And my other options?"
"You can tell me why you're really here. None of the shite about still bein' in love and wantin' me back. I want the reason you felt the need ta return here after everything. No lies and no stalling. I'll consider helpin' ya out of whatever trouble you're in. If it's within my power or I'll offer ya the cash on the desk again."
"...Any other..."
"Or... I'll reconsider why I let ya live the first time you left."
"You wouldn't kill me Tommy."
"Are ya sure about that? Why do ya think I let ya go unharmed with your pockets filled with my money?"
"Because...cause you loved me."
"I'll admit, I've learned how to hate my enemies. Never loved one before. However my feelin's for ya had nothin' to do with lettin' ya go."
"I... I don't understand."
"...That's clear Grace... I let you go because I owed ya. Owed you for savin' me life that night in the pub. I wouldn't 'ave been able ta take both of 'em by myself. That's the only reason you left alive, Grace. Now which option are ya goin' to take?"
Tommy watched Grace as she rubbed her hands together, staring at her own fingers as she contemplated her best course of action. She wouldn't go for the third, he was leaning towards the first but then women were unpredictable.
"I didn't lie about still loving you Tommy, but you're right it's not the reason I came back... I... I got into some trouble with a powerful man and he's been sending men after me and I thought... I thought, who's the most dangerous man I know?"
"And ya thought of me."
"I thought maybe if I came here and we started over, that just being with you would make the man stop chasing me."
"Who is he and why's he chasin' you?"
"His name is Albert Hayworth. He thinks I had something to do with his sons' death."
"Did ya?"
"Tommy!... How can you ask that of me?"
"...Grace, you sang like a canary to the coppers about me business, you stole from us and then you ran away. You're not exactly innocent."
"No, I didn't have anything to do with his sons' death. It was an accident."
"Did ya love him too?"
"What? Why would you ask that?"
"I'm assuming that the man we're discussing is your late husband... From your time in New York."
"How do you know about him?"
"How do I know anything Grace. Answer the question."
"...Yes. I did love him too... He was a good man, had a good heart."
"Why's the father think you had something to do with it?"
"I don't know, because we hadn't been married that long, because I didn't have family, didn't come from money. I don't know how or why he came to the conclusions he did about me. I just know that in the end he thought I only married his son for their families money. That I murdered him and made it look like an accident so that I could get the money. He made sure I got nothing, I left and tried to move on. I ended up in Georgetown down in the Caymans. I heard from a friend that he was sending men out to find me, to bring me back to New York to face what I'd supposedly done. So I tried to contact an old friend that I thought could help me clear it up, but I never heard from him. I came here in the mean time to try and see if there was anything left of us to salvage."
"How'd your husband die Grace?"
"...It was winter, cold. We had a house just outside of the city. Quiet, open space, nature. He went to leave early one morning, he'd been called into work by his father. I remember it was still dark out when he left because he told me to go back to sleep... the next thing I know the maid is screaming bloody murder. I went downstairs and... there he was just outside the door at the bottom of the steps. He was dead, anyone could see that he was dead. There was blood all around his head and he was blue from the cold, covered in... in frost."
"What happened?"
"I thought he'd slipped on the ice and fallen, cracked his head open and just either bled out or froze to death. The coroner was at a loss, he had a wound on the top of his head, like he'd been stabbed but he couldn't determine what he'd been stabbed with. His father thought that I'd done it, because there was no signs of defensive wounds, so he had to have trusted whoever did it. Everyone else had been asleep, there were no witnesses, no one heard anything. He was only discovered because the maid was putting a bag of salt on the porch for the caretaker, so he could salt the walk before anyone ventured outside."
"Under that assumption it could very well have been a member on staff, why point the finger at you?"
"Because I was the only one who knew he was leaving the house. No one had any reason to dislike him, like I said he was a good man, treated the staff with respect. The only one in the house with anything to gain from his death was me. He'd recently changed his will so that I was his beneficiary."
"You said it was an accident? Slipping on ice and cracking his head open. Yet the coroner said he was stabbed? Did they find the supposed weapon?"
"No. There was nothing to find. I had assumed he'd slipped, an accident. The policemen that came to the house came to the conclusion that the wound was caused when an icicle fell from the eave two stories above him. The icicle had melted away by the time he was found. Still an accident."
"Alright, if all of this was the conclusion that authorities came to why is this man comin' after you?"
"Because he won't accept the conclusion the authorities have come to. He'd rather blame me than himself for calling James in early that day. If he hadn't called, James would of never left the house that morning and he'd still be alive."
"...Alright. Why didn't ya just file harassment charges against him? He has no legal standing to persecute you."
"He also had no legal standing to have my husband's will overturned but he managed to do that anyway. It's not like the men he's hired to come after me are Pinkerton's, their hired muscle Tommy. A concept I know you're familiar with."
"...Mm. You can take the money and run, you're resourceful you could make a go of it."
"I don't want to be on the run for the rest of my life Tommy. I want to be able to be in one place and have a home. That home could be here... with you."
"No, it can't Grace. I won't have ya here."
"You can't tell me that's because of Lizzie. You'd be more honest with her if it was."
"...Never said it was Lizzie."
"Yes, you did Tommy."
"No...I didn't Grace, you said it was Lizzie...I just let you believe what ya wanted to."
"... You did that because of what I did to you in the past?"
Tommy shrugged his shoulders as he sat back in his chair."Yes and no."
"... Will you help me Tommy? Keep me safe?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
Tommy reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the small vial of tincture that Aoife had her cousin concoct. He placed it down on the desk next to the money, and nodded his head at it before answering her.
"Am I going ta need to watch myself around you Grace? Watch out for your tricks?"
"What is that?"
"... That is something that I came across... I admit I thought they were a bunch a shite. But I found they can be considerably efficient... potent if you will... too sweet... but then that's to make the bitterness palatable, isn't Grace."
He studied her as her body tensed up again, her hands ringing together as she realized he knew what she'd done. Of course it had only been a theory, a viable one, but still just a theory. Until now, she gave herself away. Aoife had been right. She turned her head away from him as she took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
When she turned back she at least had the decency not to lie to him about it.
"Indeed... I was... I was desperate Tommy. I... I didn't... I hadn't expected you to...to."
"Ta not want ya back."
She gave a sharp nod of her head, turning it to the side to wipe an escaped tear away.
"Who is she Tommy? If it's not Lizzie, than who is it, who has managed to capture your heart?"
"... That's not your concern Grace. Are ya goin' ta take the money?"
"... Are you going to help me?"
"I have ta think about that, then I'd have ta see how the vote goes."
"Vote?"
"Aye. The family would have to vote on it. On how they feel about whether we should help ya or not."
"Your family gets a vote on whether you'll help me or not?"
"Grace, I've no reason ta help ya. As far as I can tell I've nothing to gain from helping ya. If I am ta help ya, me family would be helpin' as well, so they get a say."
Tommy studied Graces' face as she ran through the options he'd given her. She worried her lip and rubbed her hands together before she seemed to resign herself to her choice.
"Then I'll give you and your family time to think about it. You know where to find me when you've made your decision."
He sat back and watched as Grace stood and left his office, he saw Esme come out of John's and walk Grace to the door in order to let her out of the den. After she left and he heard the door lock click back into place he picked up the phone on his desk and requested a call be placed. He waited for an answer on the line while Polly and John worked their way to his door.
A voice came on the line just as Polly was about to say something, so he held up his hand for her to wait.
"Is Bastien Deveroux available?...Tell him it's Thomas Shelby."
Polly came in and took the seat Grace had been using, John leaned his shoulder against the door jam and Esme came to stand beside him. He studied the girl while he waited for Bastien. She was uncomfortable and he knew he didn't make it easier but he wasn't really sure what to do about that.
"Shelby?"
"Hello, sorry ta call at this hour but I was hoping I might be able to get some information from you."
"What information?"
"I imagine you looked into Grace Burgess when she entered your families lives. Was hoping to see what you came up with in regards to her time in New York."
"There a reason you want to know?"
"She's asked for my help, before I decide one way or the other I want to know if she's tellin' me the truth."
"If she's not?"
"Then she can deal with her own problems."
"If she is?"
"... I'll consider helping her."
"...But not until after you've spoken with Aoife about it. You don't want my granddaughter to be forced to deal with Grace. She could pose a problem for you on so many levels and the last thing you want is for Aoife to be angry with you... Something along those lines boy?"
"Something like that."
"What's Grace asking for exactly?"
"Protection. From her husband's father's wrath. He's apparently hired men ta come and collect her. Make sure she pays for his son's death, regardless of whether she had a hand in it or not. I want ta know if she did? If the man is truly lookin' for her or not?"
"She didn't. I'll make a few calls and see what information I get coming out of New York about it. I'll get back to you when I hear something."
"I appreciate it."
He heard the line disconnect and placed the receiver back in its cradle. He waved his hand at Pol, knowing she had something to say.
"So she didn't take the money, instead she asked ya for protection."
"That sums it up nicely Pol."
"And just who were you speaking to on the line?"
"Aoife's Grandda."
"He'll have information on Grace?"
"I met him a week ago Pol and he had an official copy of my military record as well as every single file and note on me that the coppers and Inspector Campbell ever wrote down. I'm fairly fuckin sure he had a copy of my goddamn transcripts. Grace was involved with Aoife's brother Carrick, I know he has a fuckin file on Grace."
"He has a lot of pull then."
Tommy studied Pol and wondered if she knew anything about the Empyreans?
"Were you ever around Grandda when he did business with outsiders Aunt Pol?"
"My father?...Now and again. Why?"
"Did ya ever hear anything about Empyreans?"
"Can't say as I have. What are Empyreans exactly?"
"Not a what, a who. Aoife and her family are Empyreans. The way we're Gypsies."
"You'll have ta explain that to us Tommy."
Tommy nodded his head slowly, knowing that it was information they should be aware of, especially if they were expected to trust them.
"Arthur home yet? Let's go to the sittin' room and get comfortable, this is goin' ta take a while. I'd prefer ta only explain it once."