Love and Lies • 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑦 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑏𝑦

Chapter Two

Ann adjusted the tail of her dress for the third time. 

Wearing a dress underneath her trousers and coat was always uncomfortable, but when it was necessary, she bared it. When she arrived at the Leakey Tea Rooms, she had discarded her trousers and coat and hid them away in her rented car outside the restaurant. Now she sat at a table drinking a cup of tea.

"Excuse me Miss." A voice in an Irish accent said.

Ann didn't immediately look up from her tea to identify the voice. She didn't have to. She knew exactly which Irish man would approach her at this very table.

"I was told this table would be reserved." Ann knew this too, a couple pounds to the owner had assured that. She craned her head, her lips curling up at Chief Inspector Campbell - a round face man in his early sixties, tailored in a suit. "There must be a misunderstanding."

"No misunderstanding Inspector, I've been waiting to meet you."

"And how is it you know me, but I not you?"

"Mr Churchill told me you would be aware of my arrival."

Inspector Campbell froze, and understanding shone through his eyes. Then he looked sceptical. "You?" he asked.

Ann looked around the restaurant. The dining tables in their nearest vicinity were empty, but few diners drank tea at others. Waitresses stood at attention in front of the far wall, waiting for orders. "Was I not clear?"

"Mr Churchill failed to mention that you're-." Inspector Campbell trailed off, every muscle along his jaw tightened. Chinese, a woman, could he not even say the words?

"What did he fail to mention?" Ann feigned confusion. Mr Churchill had instructed her to meet Campbell, and in less than five minutes of conversation, she could already sum the type of man Campbell was.

"Is he aware?" Inspector Campbell asked instead of answering.

"He is aware that I specialise in results." Ann said. She wasn't an officer of any country, but she had met countless men, like the men of the Peaky Blinders, and killed many who foolishly caught the attention of the head of her organisation. Small neighbourhood gangsters were never usually on her radar, but Mr Churchill casted in his last favour the head of her organisation owed him. "He saw you have a problem with noise, and sent me to ensure no more noise is made after you have found the guns."

"How did you get into the city?" Campbell asked. He sat down in the chair across from her. "I have officers vetting any and everyone who steps foot off the trains and boats."

"I like to keep my travel inconspicuous, especially when I'm working." Ann said. "I found my way without drawing the most attention, that's all that matters."

"And here? How did you know I would be here?"

"When you flounce into a church and announce it to a group of officers and the Shelby aunt, someone unwanted is bound to hear." Ann drank her tea. "That ties in with the whole noise problem."

Campbell grunted.

"It's my turn to ask the questions, don't you think Inspector?" Ann said. "Thomas Shelby will arrive shortly for your meeting. You suspect he has the guns, but what exactly do you plan to say to him to get them back?"

"I will say whatever it takes to appease Mr Churchill's wishes." Campbell answered.

Ann sighed and leaned back in her chair, crossing her leg over the other. She had never had to become acquainted with law enforcement, but this job was different. Mr Churchill gave her instructions to meet Campbell. She couldn't kill her target until the stolen guns were found, and Mr Churchill believed her presence would inspire Campbell to speed up the investigation. He had assured her Campbell had an amusing presence, but she wasn't sensing that.

"People respond in accordance with how you relate to them. If you approach Thomas Shelby on the basis of violence, that's how he'll react. You'll be collecting bullets from the streets of Small Heath to return to Mr Churchill."

"You speak as if your entire livelihood isn't doused in violence." Campbell said. He had a bite to his words, he thought her a hypocrite. Ann smiled, he didn't know her, very few people did, the accusation was fair.

"In my experience, I strive at my job when I refrain from initiating violence. Instead of judging human actions, I work on understanding them and the reasons behind them." Ann said. "If I find that a person's reasons behind their actions are skewed, my choice is to be the necessary evil and end their lives."

Ann and Campbell quietly glanced at each other for a moment, and then turned their attention simultaneously as a waitress walked to their table. "Would you like a refill, Sir, Madame?"

"No, I was just leaving." Ann stood from her chair. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Good luck with your meeting, Inspector." Ann said and walked out of the restaurant. She left the building, and as she walked down the stairs leading to the front yard of parked motor vehicles, Thomas Shelby walked up.

They looked at each other in passing for a moment but continued on their separate way.