The Darkness Within (Peaky Blinders) Thomas Shelby

36. Licenced

Like the city that nurtured my greed and my pride,

I stretched my arms into the sky

I cry Babel! Babel! Look at me now

- Babel, by Mumford & Sons

"To think I used to live in a shithole like this." Mr Kimber said to his accountant as they sat in the back of the vehicle that had driven them to Small Heath. It was the day after Tommy had spoken to Inspector Campbell and they were here to look about the betting shop and hand over a legal certificate saying they were licenced to take bets. "Bloody animals." Kimber muttered to himself, looking about the street.

"The Shelbys really are doing an excellent job for us." Mr Roberts said as he handed over a piece of paper with the betting numbers written across it. "We haven't lost a single penny to rafflers or chalkers in eight race meetings. The bookies are purring."

"So we throw the dog a bone." Kimber said.

"I think so." Roberts nodded.

"I hope that wife of his will be about." Kimber said as he looked out the window.

"I dare say she will be." Roberts said with an exhale as he took the piece of paper back from Kimber before there was a knock on Mr Kimber's window and he looked out to see Tommy standing there, his wife right behind him. Tommy opened the door for Mr Kimber and nodded a greeting at the two men.

"Mr Kimber, Mr Roberts, come and have a look around." Tommy began to walk towards the door, Kimber following after him as Kiara waited for the men to take the lead. Roberts threw a greeting smile that she returned before he closed the car door and followed after his boss. "After you." Tommy said when he opened the door.

"We heard that the Lees turned you over." Mr Kimber stated when the men looked about the shop.

"You shouldn't listen to gossip, Mr Kimber." Tommy shook his head. "This way." He led them about the room.

"Business is good." Roberts said as they walked. "Especially now you know which horse is going to win before you set the odds."

"Information is very much appreciated." Tommy said back.

"Can I get you anything to drink, gentlemen?" Kiara asked the visitors. "Some tea maybe?"

"No, no." Roberts quickly replied before Kimber could. "We won't be here long."

"Right, well, where are they?" Kimber moved the meeting on impatiently.

Tommy turned to face out the door. "John! Lovelock. Scudboat, in here." He called to the men. "This is my team. They will take up their pitch at your convenience, Mr Kimber." Tommy said, showing the men he was to use to take the bets at the races. "John is the book, Scudboat is the bag man, and of course, we bring our own protection." Tommy said, gesturing to Lovelock. The money that Tommy's team would make would all go back to their business as part of the payment for the services Tommy was providing.

Kimber looked over them before laying out their instructions. "Warwick, next Saturday, at least 50 yards from the beer tent." He said. The beer tent was where most of the bets happened, drunken minds getting the better of the drinkers and Kimber always liked his men to take that territory.

Then he left. Walking out, throwing a glance at Kiara and looking her up and down as he liked to do before continuing on. Roberts looked down at the folder in his hands, shuffling through some paper until he found what he was looking for and handed it over to Tommy with a slight smile and then nodding a goodbye as he went after Kimber.