Small Heath, October 16, 1921
He was running. Running through the twisting trees and winding paths of the Peak District. The night air was cooling with the onset of winter on its heels. Soon, the Pack wouldn't run during the coldest of the year. He paws pressed into the soft dirt as he ducked under a fallen tree to continue his journey.
Ahead of him, the deer ran quickly. It kept itself just out of reach of the snapping jaws of the Darkfur Pack. Before dawn broke, one of his Pack would have it between their teeth and strung up for meat. Three deer were already dead by quick thinking of his Pack. Slowing his step, Thomas sat on his haunches and rested while the rest of his pack kept chasing.
Two of his Pack circled around him before resting. They were to keep watch on their Alpha, never to leave him alone during a run. Humans didn't normally wander around at nighttime, but one could never be too cautious. A distant howling caught Thomas's attention. Cocking his head to the side, he heard a thud and growling as they caught up with the deer. It would thrill Maze to have venison for the winter season.
Thomas laid down in the cold grass and closed his eyes. He felt a pang of hunger as tiredness swam through his body. Their campground was too far away for him to sleep where he laid. No, he would have to make the journey back to the dying fires of the campground, hoping the last of the warmth would keep them until they men shifted back to human form. Once they were in human form again, the fires would rage and food would cook to feed them before they returned to their homes and lives.
He raised his head slightly, hearing noises in the distance. It was his Pack dragging the dead deer's carcass through the forest. He waited patiently for them to break through the brush in front of him before they journeyed back. Seeing several emerge, he rose to his paws and began the trek back.
Dawn would shine upon them in a few short hours and another night of running and chasing would end until the next full moon.
Thomas Shelby groaned and rolled over onto his side, his back pressing into a stone. Adjusting himself, he cracked an eye open before closing it again. The bright morning sunlight glared at him, reminding him it was another day. Shivering, he blindly reached for his overcoat. He had fallen asleep close to the fire. The men did their best when they returned to chuck any wood or sticks into the dying fire to reignite it before they all collapsed in exhaustion.
He could hear the clinking of metal pans and silverware in the distance. His stomach rumbled loudly telling him to get up and find food. Thomas would eat enough to jar him awake then he would enjoy breakfast with his wife and son before starting his day. Maze would let him slip into her apartment to shower off the remnants of last night's run. Thomas sighed deeply, his joints aching as he adjusted himself on the hard, cold ground. He sat up and wrapped his overcoat around him and opened his eyes to the bright sunlight.
Shoving his arms through the coat, he wrapped it tightly around him and stood slowly to his feet. He groaned lightly as every joint and muscle strained to work with him, not against him. The shift wasn't terrible last night, but the lingering aftereffects were hell on his body. He didn't know how he could keep it going once he started aging. Thomas shuffled over to where he left the rest of his clothes. The cold grass crunched under his bare feet causing him to grimace.
When he found his clothes, he grabbed his undergarments first. Thrusting them on, he found his trousers. Slowly he dressed himself, his stomach growling loudly as it demanded substances. Wiping his hand across his mouth, he shuffled to the warm fire as someone shoved a warm mug of coffee in his hands. Instantly the heat warmed his chilled fingers as he sipped the hot fluid.
His eyes scanned the area, seeing the hanging deer in the distance and found a log to sit on. His body screamed at him as he sat down and set the coffee mug on the ground. A plate of food was shoved in his hands, the smell of cooked sausages and scones wafted into his nostrils. It wasn't much but it would do temporarily. He ate quietly as men roused from their sleep and started their day.
Soon enough, they were fed, and the deer moved to the bed of two trucks. Several of his men would take care of butchering the meat and distributing it among the Pack. Thomas sat in the backseat of a car and closed his eyes. The next month would see them back to the Peak District unless it snowed heavily, or it was too cold for them to run. It wouldn't bode well if someone froze during the early morning hours after the full moon run. As the car rumbled forward back to civilization, the sun rose higher in the sky only to be covered by passing clouds. The day promised rain instead of sunshine.
The day was overcast in Small Heath. Humans went about their business, not paying attention to anything but their tasks. The Garrison pub was empty of patrons. Patrons that normally would have a midday drink, weren't there. Since the Shelby's bought the Garrison pub almost two years ago, it kept a steady stream of patrons, except for the rare occasion Thomas used it for Pack meetings.
People were so busy with their own lives that they didn't see two strange women dressed in black attire pushing two prams down the Lane. Neither of them spoke to each other as they continued their unhurried walk. Black lace covered their faces, keeping their identities a secret. They walked with the sole purpose of completing a job and getting out of there.
Their walk from the docks of Small Heath to the center of down was as unhurried as possible. No one would recognize them nor ask them what they were doing. The dirty brick walls of houses and warehouses greeted them until they turned a corner to see the Garrison pub. Parking the prams together in front of the double door to the pub, each lady nodded to one another before grabbing their purses and trotted off quickly to escape the blast that was soon to happen.
In seconds, a large blast of fire exploded in front of the Garrison. Confetti and fire shattered the windows and door and shot a plume of fire into the pub, scorching every part the flammable substance could touch. The fire raged throughout the pub, turning the tables and chairs into ash. Luckily, the flames never reached the bar where the alcohol was stored.
The bomb exploding on the Lane brought the attention to everyone in town. Everyone that knew the Shelbys owned the Garrison pub. Someone had made a statement to the Shelby family and for many people it meant danger was on its way.
The dark overcast clouds moved quickly over the cemetery where the Shelby family stood around an open plot. The sky threatened to rain on them, but held off at the sad moment. Thomas stood close to Maze, who held Thomas Ethan in her arms. The baby squirmed in her arms, trying to wriggle free and toddle around the cemetery, but Maze refused to let him down. Across from them stood Ada with Karl. Tears blanketed her face as she watched the coffin in front of her.
Maze leaned against Thomas, hoping to use him to block off the chilly wind that wrapped around the family as they stood there listening to the vicar reading from the Bible. In the coffin, dressed in his best, lay Freddie Thorne. Thomas slid a chilly hand down Maze's expensive wool coat and gently gave his son's arm a little squeeze before stepping away from them. Maze instantly missed his warmth. She looked over at her best friend and sister-in-law, wishing to say something that would ease the pain of her loss, but found herself biting her tongue. If Ada wanted comfort, she would ask for it. It was one of Ada's less enduring qualities. Always having to be tough instead of soft.
Thomas walked around the opened plot to stand in the place where the vicar had stood. The vicar moved toward Ada and Karl, offering quiet reassurance that her husband was in God's hands now. Ada nodded numbly, refusing to look at the man. Instead, she watched her brother walk around standing in place.
He cleared his throat, aware of the eyes on him as he looked down at the closed casket of his former best friend and brother-in- law. Freddie wasn't a part of the Pack, but he was family. Thomas took a deep breath, "I promised my friend, Freddie Thorne, that I'd say a few words over his grave." Thomas paused and wet his lips before continuing. He didn't want to speak, but he was the head of the family. It was only proper.
A part of him mourned over the loss of Freddie. They had been childhood friends growing up and went to France together. Freddie took a bullet that was meant for Thomas during the war and Freddie never let Thomas forget it. Their relationship fractured when they returned home from France but the damage had been done when Thomas learned Ada was pregnant. He still remembered the fight they had, the way Freddie held a gun to his face when his former friend demanded to know about stolen guns.
Even after Campbell left and Freddie ventured out into the public eye, their friendship bordered on cordial but never held the same fire it once did. They were friends, comrades and family, but pestilence took Freddie too soon. Maze offered to give Freddie modern medicine, but Freddie deteriorated quickly. It broke him a little seeing Mazella affected by his death and not being able to do anything about it.
"I made him this promise when we were in France, fighting for our King," Thomas continued, his eyes focused on the coffin.
"Amen," Arthur muttered solemnly. Unlike most days, Arthur was sober today. No one came to a funeral drunk. Polly stood beside Arthur, her veil moving swiftly in front of her somber face. She liked Freddie well enough, and his death affected her just as much as it did Ada.
"It wasn't the war that took Freddie, but pestilence," he continued. The breeze whipped gently around them. Thomas paused again to look at Maze. She stood there holding their son close as a few tears streaked down her lovely face.
A baby cried loudly, interrupting the solemn mood. John took his child from Esme to comfort the toddler. His other children stood around in silence as Thomas spoke to the small crowd of people.
"Freddie passed on his soul and spirit to a new generation," Thomas let his gaze linger on his sister. She refused to look at anyone but the coffin that held her husband. Thomas opened his mouth to say more, but found the words stuck in his throat.
He gave a slight nod of his head to Freddie before stepping back to his wife and son. Sliding a hand on her lower back, Thomas gazed around the sea of faces that came to Freddie's funeral. It surprised him how many people showed up. If he had to guess, many of the faces he saw were Freddie's former Communist comrades with a sprinkling of Pack and Blinders.
With a silent nod from Ada, four men lowered the coffin into the six foot rectangular hole in the ground. He watched as Ada handed off Karl to a slightly grieving Polly who took the child without complaint. With Freddie dead, Thomas needed to know what Ada's plans were. Polly wanted Ada and Karl to return to Birmingham, to be closer to family and it's what Maze wanted as well, but he knew Maze wouldn't speak to him about it, preferring to speak to Ada instead.
Soon enough, the company of people dispersed, wishing to give their condolences to Karl and Ada. Thomas leaned down slightly to his wife, "I want to speak with Ada."
She gave him a silent nod, shuffling Thomas Ethan in her arms. Thomas gave his son a smile, which baby Tommy returned, reaching for his father. Giving her arm a squeeze, he watched as she wandered off to find Polly.
Ada Thorne slipped away from the crowd of people she knew wanted to give their condolences to her, but she didn't want to hear it. All she wanted to do was take Karl and go to their home in London where she could privately mourn. During the funeral, her eyes never left the wooden box that held her husband. She wished he hadn't died the way he did, leaving her and Karl alone.
She had her family, but the widow knew they would want her to move back to Birmingham to be closer to the family and the family business she wanted no part of. Wrapping her arms around her tightly, she walked quietly alone until she felt her older brother, Thomas beside her.
Life was challenging enough with a husband to provide for her and Karl, but with him gone, things would change. In the back of her mind, Ada knew she could rely on her family for financial support, but her independent streak prevented her from asking. She knew Tommy would ask her to work for the family business to keep her close. Her best friend Maze wanted her to return home, but Ada knew Mazella wouldn't ask her for it.
Not when she knew her best friend didn't want to move back home.
Neither of them spoke for a few minutes, aware that words were not needed until Thomas opened his mouth. The cigarette smoke filtered around them as they walked. Ada wrinkled her nose at the smell, but said nothing. Cool October air moved around them. The smell of dying leaves and dirt permeated her nose.
"We thought," Thomas began, not looking at his sister. The tips of his boots were far more interesting than the conversation he was about to have, "now that Freddie is gone, you might come home to Birmingham." He turned his head slightly to look at his only sister.
Ada scoffed, her shoulders tense as she refused to look at her brother. She pushed an errant lock of hair from her face before turning around to see the people milling around the gravesite. In the distance, she saw Maze speaking to Polly. Her best friend must have noticed eyes on her because she turned her head slightly to give Ada a pained smile.
She didn't want to come back to Birmingham. Ada Thorne was happy living in London, far from the crime filled activities of her family. "You know how funny it is that you've got chauffeurs in uniform now?" she asked, averting his question.
Thomas scoffed, his boots crunching against the dry twigs and rocks. Of all the things Ada could talk about, it was this. "It's just for the occasion, Ada." he replied, shoving a hand in his trouser pockets. It didn't escape him she didn't answer his question. He knew his sister was in mourning, but it would ease his mind if she came home to be closer to the family. That way, unaware of his actions, he could keep an eye on her.
What he didn't prepare for was the onslaught of Ada's vitriol. He prepared for her arguing about moving back home to be closer to family or even speak about Freddie's death, but she took him by surprise.
"Do you know how unfair it is that you, Tommy, have four Bugatti's when half the country is starving?" she snapped, finally having Tommy alone to bitch to him about his lifestyle. She knew he could do more with his money than spend it on useless items like expensive cars, alcohol, and clothes.
Thomas stopped in his tracks and looked at his sister. He wondered where this line of talking came from. Ada never disappointed him when she wanted to bitch to him about himself. While he could keep his tongue in check with his sister, he was afraid of what Maze would say to Ada if it was brought up. His wife was far less inclined to listen to this type of talk of 'unfairness'.
He cursed in his head. Thomas felt the wolf move restlessly in his head. He didn't have time for this kind of talk. Ada was especially vindictive to his lifestyle and always had been. Even before the war when it was petty thievery and brawling. He supposed it was because she was female, but Polly never had an issue with their lifestyle, or at least she never said.
Sighing heavily, he glanced down at the grassy walkway before taking an inhale of his cigarette. Frowning at the lack of nicotine, he tossed the butt into the grass. He knew his sister was in close contact with Freddie's Communist friends. Each fucking word out of their mouths poisoned his sister against her family. It wasn't enough that he made sure none of them worried about money, but Ada seemed to be on some sort of crusade.
"So they've made you ashamed of us, eh?" he asked, hating who she involved herself with. He couldn't demand she come home and stop consorting with Communists. Ada would have more than words with him if he did. He cleared his throat loudly and paused his step to look at his sister.
Ada sighed, looking over Tommy's shoulder and into the distance. "Sometimes," she paused, sighing again, "when I think about how I used to be, it makes me embarrassed."
Inhaling the scents that wafted through the air, Thomas scented Polly and Maze coming toward them. Maze gave him an inquiring look as Polly trained her eyes on Ada.
"Karl's with his cousins," Polly asked Ada's unasked question. "Caught 'im trying to pinch flowers off a grave."
Thomas gave Maze an inquiring look. His child wasn't with his mother. "Tommy's with John and Esme."
Maze smiled as Thomas turned away from them and looked around before giving them his attention. A car horn sounded in the distance, catching the attention of the small group of Shelbys. Maze shoved her chilly hands into her wool coat pockets. She wanted to say something to Ada, but the look her sister-in-law had stopped her. Apparently, she and Polly walked in on a serious conversation.
Maze smiled as Thomas turned away from them and looked around before giving them his attention. Thomas Ethan reached for his father again, hoping this time his father would take him. A car horn sounded in the distance, catching the attention of the small group of Shelbys. Maze shoved her chilly hands into her wool coat pockets. She wanted to say something to Ada, but the look her sister-in-law had stopped her. Apparently, she and Polly walked in on a serious conversation.
Polly chuckled lightly, unaware of the tension between Thomas and Ada. Maze watched silently as Polly reached for Ada, only for the young widow to rebuff her aunt's actions. "Ada, love. Are you coming home?"
Ada looked from Maze and Tom before glaring at Polly. It wasn't enough that it was her husband's funeral, but her only family pestered her into coming back to Birmingham when she didn't want to! She preferred to be as far away from them as possible. She narrowed her eyes on her family and stepped away from them.
"Don't any of you get it?" Ada whispered-yelled when she really wanted to yell at them. "I don't bloody want to go back to Birmingham!" Her outburst stopped the three of them from advancing on her. "I am perfectly fucking fine living on me own in London."
A powerful gust of wind knocked her hat askew as she breathed heavily, glaring at her family. Ada crossed her arms and turned her head away from her family and looked back at where Freddie was buried. Polly stood there, her mouth agape at Ada's outburst. Maze could tell Ada's words affected Polly the most. Her best friend's statement did not offend her to live her own life as she wanted. The modern woman in her advocated it.
"It's all right, Pol," Thomas found his voice. "We make Ada embarrassed."
Ada scoffed, her face twisted into a scowl. She crossed her arms across her body tightly and glared at her brother. "That's not what I said." She ignored the way her brother stared at her.
Thomas looked toward the crowd of people, contemplating his next words. He looked down briefly, feeling Maze slip her arm through his. It surprised him that his wife hadn't put her opinion in, but he felt she didn't know what the previous conversation was between him and Ada. From the corner of his eye, he caught Maze and Polly exchanging a confused look between them before turning back to the conversation. "There's another reason we want you to come home, Ada." Thomas wet his lips, his gaze never leaving Ada. "I'm planning an expansion to London."
"It's a funeral, Tom," Polly protested, cutting her eyes at Maze, who frowned at the prospect of Tommy expanding his territory into London. Ada scoffed at her older brother, ready to leave the conversation.
The wolf growled low at Polly's interruption. It had been weeks since he'd seen Ada. He supposed he could have prompted Maze to speak to Ada for him, but there wasn't any time like the present. "Polly, if Ada was weeping, I'd stop," his voice laced with annoyance.
Polly opened her mouth to rebuke Tom for his attitude toward Ada and her loss, but Maze nudged her gently in the ribs. Her head snapped to glare at Maze, who refused to back down at the woman's glare. Apparently, the younger woman wanted to hear what her husband had to say. Frowning at the thought of expansion, she knew it would be dangerous for the family to venture into unknown territory.
"The expansion means it's going to be dangerous, Ada. They will not welcome Shelbys in London for a while." He hoped this warning would impress his sister to come home closer to family in case something dangerous happened.
"Yea, well," Ada inhaled deeply, glaring at her brother. She was finished with the conversation. "I'm not a Shelby anymore. Nor a Thorne. I'm free." Ada sighed quietly, "I've got to get Karl home."
Maze gripped the inside of his arm, her unasked question burning the tip of her tongue. She wanted to know more about this expansion into London. When Thomas made no move to answer her, she chanced a glance at Polly. The older woman knew about the expansion, but she wasn't sure if Polly approved of it. Things were going well in Birmingham.
Though Maze understood Thomas's wish to expand into London. She was sure he planned to do this long ago and was just now in a position to even try. She glanced at her husband through the black lace veil she wore and wondered what kind of fresh hell awaited her when he took his first step into London society. Shifting her feet slightly, she wiggled her sore toes in her heels and frowned.
Images of gangland crime and mafia bosses crossed her memory. She knew from history how dangerous the underbelly of the 1920s was. American history focused on Al Capone and the early predecessors of the Five Families of New York, but London was just as dangerous as Chicago and New York. Her husband seemed fully entrenched in the idea that he could make his mark in the crime world of London.
She chewed her lower lip for a second in thought. Maze could go against her stance on telling Thomas about future events. She knew fully that he could demand information from her about certain individuals of the London crime world, but she hoped he would do the research himself. Glancing at her stoic husband as Ada walked away, Maze wondered how bad things would become for their family.
"I told you," Polly chastised him, giving a look between Maze and Tom. "Let me handle Ada. Unlike you, she'll listen to me."
Thomas sighed, looking at Polly before hearing the engine of a motorcycle in the distance. "I'll have men watch her house until the danger passes."
He gazed over to where Arthur stood with the rest of his men and watched with a curious eye as the man on the motorcycle stopped and spoke briefly to Arthur. Their life had been quiet for some time now, and Thomas felt things were about to change. He just wasn't sure what.
"Tom?" Maze spoke up, catching her husband's attention. She turned to see the man talking to Arthur and a lead ball settled low in her stomach. He said nothing as he walked off to find out what Arthur wanted.
"... That will be the bloody day," Polly retorted, watching Tom walk off, leaving her and Mazella alone.
"What do you think it is?" Maze stepped close to Polly.
Polly watched Tom and Arthur speak briefly, her gut twisting terribly. The day went from bad to worse, in her opinion. She could feel the younger woman's trepidation pouring off her. Polly knew when it rained, it poured and her instincts were telling her Tom's warning of danger was about to show its ugly hand.
"Don't know," she sighed, shivering slightly in her wool coat, "but we're about to find out."
Thomas swore viciously at hearing the news Arthur gave him. Someone had blown up the Garrison pub while the Shelbys were at Freddie's funeral. His mind raced, trying to figure out who would blow up his pub. The wolf snarled in his head at the direct confrontation against his family. He turned to see Maze and Polly standing close together, apparently wondering what had occurred.
"Get a car ready. We'll leave shortly," he instructed a group of his men.
Thomas turned and stalked over to Maze and Polly. The wolf snarled as anger rolled in him. It was a good thing the pub had been closed when the explosion happened. It wouldn't look good for the Shelbys if the explosion killed someone in a retaliatory act. He stepped around several graves, not wanting to disturb the dead, and came to a stop in front of his wife and aunt.
"You need to take Tommy and go home right now," he pulled Maze to the side, ignoring Polly's inquiring look. His wife's eyes widened comically as she opened her mouth to ask why when he cut her off. "I'll explain later."
"I'm not a child, Tom," she pulled her arm free from his grasp. "What's going on?"
He sighed and fished out a cigarette from the gold case and lit it quickly. "Someone blew up the bloody Garrison." Her mouth opened again, but snapped close, and she nodded her head at him. She could feel the anger pouring off him and the need to leave quickly. "A Blinder will take you home, eh?"
She nodded quickly and leaned toward him for a quick kiss, and left to find their son. Thomas watched his wife walk away and sighed. Running his hand over his mouth, he inhaled the cigarette quickly, hoping for the calming nicotine rush.
"What's happened?" Polly demanded, watching Mazella leave.
"Someone blew up the Garrison," he repeated, watching her reaction. "We need to go."
The black car ambled down the Lane, passing people working for the day. Inside the car, Arthur, Thomas, and Polly sat on edge as they drove closer to the pub. Thomas ran through the prospective enemies he acquired over the past several years and came up with nothing. People watched the car as they passed, wondering the same thing as the Shelbys.
The cloudy day didn't improve his mood. He would have preferred to be home with Maze and his son, but business came first. This was one reason why he wanted Ada and Karl to come back to Birmingham. Thomas made a mental note after exploring the wreckage of the pub to have someone keep an eye on Ada. As he leaned back into the bench seat, he pondered over the thought of having someone follow Maze as well.
She would hate having someone follow her. Maze protested the first time, and it resulted in the death of Jimmy Hoots. If he pitched it right, Maze would concede and let him give her a bodyguard. Her safety was more important to him than her independence. His son was far too young to protest the idea.
A separate car followed them, carrying two of his inner circle and John. Like Thomas, John sent Esme and the children home, keeping Esme's nosy personality out of it. Thomas didn't want to hear Esme's loud opinion about the explosion and the dangers he was putting the family in. From his seat in the back of the car, he realized the coppers closed the area off, keeping nosy passersby away from the crime scene.
As the car came to a stop, Thomas opened the door from the outside and stepped out, looking over the damage to his pub. His head twitched from the overwhelming anger he felt. The wolf snarling and snapping its jaws at the scene. John and Arthur came up beside him, swearing quietly.
"Well, that's a fucking bloody mess." Arthur placed his hands on his hips, looking at the mess. John tossed his cigarette on the ground and nodded in agreement.
"Aye, that it is," Thomas gazed over the charred pub.
Anger pooled in his gut the closer he walked toward the pub. A copper stood to the side, giving him and Polly a wave to go inside. The man said nothing, but watched the Shelbys carefully. One way or another, Thomas was going to figure out who did this and peel the flesh from their bodies.
The copper lifted the black rope, letting Polly and Thomas step into the crime scene. "It, uh, happened around 7am. Nobody saw anything." he paused and continued his explanation. "Our patrols were not in the area."
Thomas gazed at the wreckage, barely listening to the Chief. It had taken little to get the Police Chief on his payroll after Chester Campbell left two years prior. Everyone needed money, including the Police Chief. The fire charred the pub black, with nary a smoke trail coming from the pub. Thomas shifted his feet, trying to come up with an excuse to give the Police Chief.
"I'd say it was something to do with the gas," he explained, using an excuse he saw in a modern movie he saw with his wife one night during a date. She joked people would use the excuse it was an electrical or gas fire to keep hush on suspicious activity. Thomas cleared his throat and shoved his hand in his trouser pockets to find some money to hand over to the Police Chief.
The Police Chief took the money, unable to tell Mr. Shelby no. The Chief shook his head at his weakness of taking the money. He turned his head away from Mr. Shelby, anger crossing his homely features.
The Chief shoved the money in his trouser pocket. "Madam, they have not declared the structure safe yet."
Polly didn't listen as she stepped into the charred pub. Resting her hand on a beam, she stepped over rubble and into the pub, scowling at the mess. Noticing something odd about the scene, she reached down to pick up a colored piece of confetti. Staring at it intently, her mind cataloged it and reminded herself to mention it to Tommy. There was something suspiciously afoot. As she turned around to look at the Police Chief and Tommy, her guts twisted again seeing the look Thomas gave her. It screamed silently, 'I won't tell you anything, not right now.' Polly sighed at her nephew's actions. It wouldn't surprise her if he had a hand in this debacle.
She pondered over the confetti as she stepped safely out of the pub. "This was all over the place." Polly handed Tommy the piece of colored confetti. "It's confetti. Why would someone blow up the pub and leave confetti?"
Her question went unanswered as Thomas turned to the Police Chief. With a subtle nod of his head, he dismissed the burly man. This wasn't something the coppers could help with. Thomas waited until the Chief left the scene as the silence between him and Polly thickened until she asked the only question left on her tongue.
"Who?" She turned to look up at the building. "Who did this to us?"
Thomas Shelby sighed as he parked the car on the curb down from the Shelby house. It had been three days since they set aflame the Garrison. Three days of quietly inquiring around town, seeing if anyone saw something that morning. The Police Chief gave orders that no one would investigate the explosion of the Garrison pub. It helped, but Thomas figured it wouldn't be too long before someone started nosing around.
"How did it go?" Maze inquired once Thomas settled in for the evening. She waited patiently until dinner was concluded and Thomas Ethan was in bed before asking. Maze didn't mind waiting for answers, but it ruffled her feathers how easily he dismissed her and Thomas Ethan after the funeral. Not that she didn't understand his stance on it, but it still bothered her.
"The pub's destroyed," Thomas leaned over to pick up the whiskey tumbler sitting on the side table beside the couch. Maze curled her fingers around her wineglass, the light pink fluid splashing around gently in the glass. The quiet crackling of the fireplace was the only noise in the room as they sat there discussing the events of the ruined pub.
"How destroyed?" Maze took a sip of her wine and leaned back against the couch.
Thomas took a sip of his whiskey, wishing for a cigarette but refused to smoke in the house, per Maze's request. She cared not that he smoked, just that he didn't smoke in the house. Thomas contemplated on what to tell her. A steady rain fell outside, marking the onset of the winter season. He already contacted the people for the insurance to help rebuild his pub. Though this time, it would be to his specifications.
"Everything will have to be rebuilt."
Maze nodded her head, taking another sip of her wine. "I'd ask you who did it…."
Thomas shook his head before turning to look at his wife. "Not a clue."
He gazed at the whiskey tumbler, contemplating another glass, but decided not. Thomas plucked Maze's wine glass from her nimble fingers and set it on the table beside his whiskey tumbler. He ignored her protests and pulled her into a deep kiss. Her body softened against his as he pulled her close to him. Warm hands slid around his neck, his wife's nails scratching gently at the back of his neck. He groaned under her touch, pulling her insistently in his lap as his hands bunched her dress to touch her soft skin. He felt his eyes shift amber; the wolf growling quietly in the back of his head. Thomas broke the kiss and unbuttoned her blouse, his amber eyes raking slowly over her black lace undergarments.
She pulled him into a deep kiss, her own nimble fingers unbuttoning his waistcoat before working quickly to undo his blue pinstripe shirt. Her hands pulled him forward to help remove his pinstripe shirt off him. Neither of them heard the soft fabric land gently on the hardwood floor. Desire rolled in him, his body aching to strip and fuck her. Grasping her soft locks, he tugged on her hair as her soft body arched against him.
He didn't want her to move as his lips slowly kissed down the column of her neck to his favorite spot. His aching teeth grazed her slightly visible bite mark. Giving it a small nip, he felt her body shudder as she rolled her hips into his lap. Quickly, he slid his hands under her bare thighs and lifted them slowly as they walked toward the master bedroom. She grunted being picked up and clung to her husband while he walked up the flight of stairs. Maze dipped her head and kissed him deeply while her fingers traced the counters of his shoulders.
Thomas grunted, pushing his wife against the bedroom door. He reached around to twist the handle and let them in the room. A cool breeze welcomed them and he would have to light the fire once he was done ravaging his wife. Thomas dropped her to her feet and groaned when she undid the button fly on his trousers. Before she could shove her hand in his trousers to fuck with his cock, he spun her around and gently squeezed her wrists with a hand.
"Careful, love," his lips mumbled across her shoulder, his voice dripping with lust. Maze stood there; her body aching with a forceful gale of lust. She heard him groan loudly, feeling his way between her thighs and into her soaked knickers. With a quick shove of his hand, he pushed her unbuttoned skirt down to the floor, letting it pool around her feet. Turning her around, Thomas backed her to the bed before climbing on top of her.
Thomas weaved through the throng of men waiting in line to place bets for the upcoming races. He gave a nod to everyone as he passed, his eyes searching for his brothers. Arthur had been in fine form hours after seeing the explosion. Ranting and raving about bombs and the loss of alcohol and business. Pol and John's reaction was far more subtle. Thomas could feel the anger pouring off them, but they weren't like Arthur.
Entering his office, Thomas blinked at the sunlight pouring in the small room. Hanging up his overcoat, he pulled his cigarette case, setting it down on the desk. The slapping noise of the box against the wood was the only sound but his racing mind. He was halfway sitting when the door opened, revealing Arthur and John. Thomas waited until John and Arthur were situated before he began the meeting.
"Have you found out who blew up my fucking pub?" Arthur demanded, leaning back into his chair as he gave Thomas a glare.
Thomas arched an eyebrow at his older brother's attitude. He understood Arthur's anger. He shared the same, but it had been several days since and the cleanup crew was still shifting through the rubble. Thomas would have someone come in and redecorate it once they settled the cleanup. He hadn't the foggiest idea about redecoration, and would leave that to Polly and Maze. Thomas would offer an olive branch to his sister, but Ada adamantly refused to come home and help. He wasn't even sure if she knew about the explosion.
Thomas lit a cigarette and tapped it against the ashtray. "No, I haven't. The clean up isn't done. Once it's finished, we can rebuild."
"I don't care about the rebuild…," Arthur sneered, wishing for a fucking drink.
"I want to know how someone didn't see when it happened," John said, leaning against the wall. Thomas regarded his younger brother with interest. It was a fair statement. The Police Chief assured him that no one saw when it happened, nor who did it.
"People are awake at that hour. How did no one see?" John pressed, pushing himself off the wall and taking a seat beside Arthur. He shoved Arthur's leg to the side, hoping to help his irate brother cool off.
"That's a good question, John." Thomas leaned back into his chair and cast a glance at Arthur, who stood up and walked out the door. Thomas sighed, shaking his head at Arthur's drama. When his older brother returned, he carried a bottle of whiskey and three tumblers.
The room was silent as Arthur poured them drinks and handed them out. It tickled Thomas seeing Arthur so domesticated. "Someone needs to ask around. Bribe if you have too," Thomas ordered quietly, tapping his cigarette against the ashtray again.
"What about this expansion into London, Tommy?" Arthur inquired, tossing back his drink before pouring another one.
"Polly and I have discussed it first," Thomas raised the tumbler to his lips and sipped the amber liquid. The whiskey burned down his throat, the soothing burn calmed him somewhat.
"She's told me she's got reservations about us expanding into London." John shifted in his chair and took a sip of his drink.
"Well," Thomas murmured, "that's Polly for you. I don't have her…. reservations."
"What do you know?"
"I know that Alfie Solomons has been in a gang war with Darby Sabini for months now. He's losing. His area is in Camden town, unlike Sabini. Sabini controls most of London with several nightclubs and reserved spots at every racecourse. He's nothing but a fucking rat."
"So you want to ally with a fucking kike?" Arthur sneered, fishing out a cigarette and snatching John's lighter. He placed the cigarette in his mouth before lighting it and tossing John's lighter at him. John glared at his brother but said nothing.
"After what occurred with Sabini in June, I think it would be wise." Thomas reminded his brothers of the near disaster at Epsom in June. None of the Brum boys the coppers arrested were let out of jail. He wasn't sure if any of them made bail and running the streets again.
However, Thomas mused silently, it may become a problem later on. Though none of the Brum boys knew anything about his operation or business, they could tell his enemies about him. It would be worth monitoring. He would ask a Blinder to keep tabs on them. There wasn't anything he could do now.
"They didn't release any of those fucking Brum boys from jail. I 'ear the court sentenced George Sage a few months for disturbing the peace and bringing a weapon to a fight." Arthur answered his older brother's unasked question.
It surprised Thomas that Arthur knew what happened. He didn't care enough during the eighteen months when Thomas assigned Arthur the job of keeping the peace between the Brum boys and the Peaky Blinders. Because of Arthur's lack of communication, a war started between the Brum boys and Darby Sabini's men, with some of the Peaky Blinders being dragged into the fight. Thomas found himself leery of letting Arthur take responsibility for something like that again. The rebuilt pub and running the books with John would keep Arthur busy for some time.
"Be that as it may," Thomas inhaled on his cigarette before pushing the smoke between his lips, "they aren't our problem anymore."
"I want to check out Darby's nightclub soon," Thomas continued, changing the subject.
"Which one?" John asked, leaning forward a little.
"The Eden Club. It's supposed to be his most profitable." Thomas looked between his brothers. "All three of us will go."
Arthur grinned drunkenly, "Eh, a night out on the town! Something we fucking need."
Thomas nodded at his older brother. He refused to divulge the intricate details of his plan to expand to London. He was already getting opposition from Polly and he didn't need it from his brothers.
Maze Shelby began her day shortly after her husband left to see about the Garrison. It horrified her that someone would blow up the pub, but no loss of life happened. According to Thomas, the pub was closed early in the morning. She found it strange that no one saw the perpetrators park the prams in front of the pub and run off. Tommy sat in his modern high chair and mashed his banana between his fingers just to giggle at his mother.
The last days of early autumn were upon them and she was desperately trying to can and store food for the winter season. As she chopped root vegetables, she thought over the past few months. Things weren't as calm as Thomas portrayed them to be. Ever since their trip to Epsom in June, she had a niggling feeling in the back of her mind. There wasn't much she could do but ask, but Maze knew her husband well enough that he would refuse to divulge anything remotely criminal with her.
It was his way, as he explained, to protect her.
He explained his decision to expand the business into London. Maze wasn't sure how much of the underbelly Thomas knew about, but she hoped it was enough. Opening an office in London would benefit the company and help push the Shelby family out of their remote area of Birmingham. An open book sat on the far end of the block kitchen table detailing the gang wars of London during the early twentieth century. She was uncertain if he should have it for research on his enemies.
Ada's refusal to come home worried her. Especially after the Garrison blew up. She wanted her best friend to move closer to home, but understood Ada's independent nature to do things on her own. It broke Polly's heart that Ada wouldn't come home, but Ada didn't live that far away. Maze sighed softly herself as she continued to chop potatoes.
Maze set her knife down and stretched her back, releasing the tension from chopping for so long. She turned to the stove and removed the large cooking pot. Inside the steaming water sat four large canning jars. After she removed them, she put them on the table to let them cool. Maze paused, hearing the quiet sound of the mailbox outside the house open and close. It wasn't unusual for mail to run several times a day. In a world of minimal long range communication, the post ran like clockwork.
Maze wiped her hands on a spare towel and gave her son a smile before slipping out of the kitchen and down the narrow hallway. She glanced at the walls, seeing the many portraits that adorned the wall. She opened the front door and shivered against the chilly wind that wrapped around her. The small metal box hung next to the front door. Laughter reached her ears as she opened the mental box and removed the mail inside.
Maze slipped inside the house and walked back into the warm kitchen where the stove burned hot. Tommy clapped his hands and motioned for his mother to pick him up. She set the mail on the table and went to her son. In the far corner sat his playpen, filled with toys for him to keep himself entertained. A clock chimed somewhere in the house, reminding her of the time.
Picking up her son, she fussed over him for a few minutes, carrying him upstairs to his nursery. It was time for his nap. Maze changed his nappy, which wasn't easy, before laying him down in his bed. Grabbing the listening monitor from the dresser in his room, she gently closed the door to let him nap.
Once downstairs, she moseyed toward the mail and frowned, seeing one that was addressed to Thomas. It wasn't unusual he received mail at the house, but this one had a female penmanship. Turning it over, she saw the envelope wasn't sealed closed, meaning someone had dropped it off with the rest of her mail. Maze looked sharply at the entrance to the kitchen as suspicion grew in her mind. Not that she believed Thomas had an illicit affair with a local woman, but it seemed suspicious that someone would drop off mail. The house received bills and pamphlets, along with the local newspaper. Maze longed for international newspapers.
She would discuss it with Thomas later.
Hours later, after the delivery of the mystery letter, Maze set the last plate on the table. Dinner was ready for her and Thomas. Tommy had a small plate of food on his high chair and made a gigantic mess. Maze would bathe him in her new townhouse. She grimaced slightly remembering that conversation with Tom. It annoyed him she hadn't told she moved from her apartment in D.C. to a townhouse in her home state. It was easier to bathe him there rather than making a hot water tub to wash him.
The front door opened as Thomas walked into his house. A chilly breeze followed him as he came inside and removed his overcoat and hat. He smelled dinner as he walked down the narrow hallway to find his wife and son waiting for him. He tried to make it home every night to eat dinner with them, regardless of what had occurred earlier in the day. Tommy squealed, his face covered in food, seeing his father enter the kitchen.
"I'd kiss you but you're covered in food," Thomas smiled at his child, but reached down to kiss the crown of his head.
"You're home," Maze came into the room with several spare towels to keep their son clean. She walked around the kitchen table to give her husband a kiss. Thomas pulled her close to him, his arms wrapping gently around her. Maze chuckled as a squeal broke them apart. Once dinner was done and Tommy washed and in bed, Maze found Thomas sitting in the upstairs office looking through the pile of mail that came that day.
Several of the letters were bills, while the rest were pamphlets, newspaper clippings. An off white envelope sat alone at the bottom of the pile of letters. Curious, Thomas picked it up and flipped it open. Thomas noticed that whomever sent it did not seal the letter, and it didn't look tampered. He opened it cautiously and removed the letter slowly. Thomas unfolded it and his eyes widened slightly reading over the content.
"Unfortunately, you are still alive. You won't be for too much longer."