The Camden Tales

57 - Angels of Retribution

-=₪ November 1932 ₪=-

The Mansion / Margate / 9.12pm

"Alfred fell asleep after one chapter." said Malka as she walked into the drawing room and sank into her favourite armchair. Tommy was closing the balcony doors and drawing the thick drapes to ward off the chill of the evening. He poured himself a glass of water and settled onto the chaise longue.

"If we can't talk about the traitor, can we instead talk about what you meant by 'they'?" Tommy asked, cutting straight to the point.

Malka's lighter paused momentarily as she lit her cigarette, considering how to broach the subject of 'they'. Although the subject seemed straightforward, it was not so for someone who was ready to refuse her, especially as she struggled to articulate her thoughts clearly. To arrive at any possible meeting of the minds, one would need to traverse a winding garden path with thought provoking scenery, and even then, the person in question would most likely reject her observations out of hand. The problem, as Malka saw it, lay in the fact that Tommy was a man who placed utmost trust in his own experiences and discoveries, and didn't rely on the words of others. Although this quality was admirable, it also made the whole process more challenging. Malka moved the lighter away from the cigarette and took a moment to gather her thoughts on where to begin.

Tommy sat on the chaise longue, watching her as she took a deep drag from her cigarette and placed the lighter carefully on the end table. She pondered on how best to demonstrate the reality of the situation, considering her limited ability to convey complex ideas. She took another drag of her cigarette, allowing the smoke to fill her lungs as she searched for a way to articulate the nuances of 'they'.

"I have always admired your ability to adapt," she said, choosing a compliment as a good starting point to put him at ease. However, she could see that he wasn't convinced, as his brow furrowed in response.

"I am being serious Tommy. Almost every enemy you have come across and defeated, you've picked up their techniques and abilities along the way. Wasting no time, you then utilise what you have learned to help conquer the next."

"So, you are saying I adapt like a virus or cancer?" he mumbled looking unimpressed.

She opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. The only answer she could offer was a reluctant "yes," which she didn't truly mean, so she promptly shut her mouth again. As she realised that the situation was going to be even more challenging than she had already anticipated, she took a deep breath and prepared to soldier on.

"One from Billy Kimber, for example, was learning that it is good to have a second. Someone who has a good mind for business, or someone like what the mafia would call a consigliere. Kimber had Roberts, Alfie had me, and you chose Grace to perform that role. Well dressed, intelligent, easy on the eye, not as meek as the average schmuck might believe."

Tommy picked up his silver cigarette case from Alfie's end table and opened it. As he reached for a cigarette, he found himself surprised to discover that he was not as resistant to Malka's words as he had initially thought he would be. Despite the rough start, he was willing to listen, especially if she was going to highlight his achievements.

"From the priest it was cell interrogation, from Luca, staff infiltration, Sibini was better police utilisation, the list goes on. You've always been smaller than your enemy but your ability to think on your feet and adapt quickly, means you were able to assimilate them for the next big bad. But your collection is incomplete and blind spots remain. Alfie, for example, you have never really understood his power of sight, to then utilise as a weapon of your own. I would like to correct this if I can."