Painting The Races Red | Tommy Shelby

Chapter Seven ✔️

C h a p t e r S e v e n
T h e L e t h a l W o m a n

Tommy attempted to slow his partner down as she marched ahead of him towards the betting shop, but failed to do so as she ignored his warnings and continued to remain several feet ahead of him. He couldn't deny that he was impressed at her speed as she walked on, her heels weren't holding her back as a result of the anger cursing through her veins. They had been hit with the unexpected news as soon as they returned to Small Heath. Before either of them had even stepped out of the car, Charlie had come running into the sheltered garage looking for them.

"Tommy! Shit happened while you were away, Arthur killed a boy in the ring 'round at the gym. There's stories going around, son."

Both had instantly returned to serious mode. Tommy had demanded, "Where's Arthur?"

"At home."

Lynette asked the next question, "And what about the boy's body?"

"At the morgue. Before you go, you should know that Finn and Isaiah saw everything. John put 'em in the shop to keep an eye on 'em, he knew you would want to speak to 'em as well."

The couple had dropped any plans to return to the office and drove over to the morgue, they witnessed the condition of the body for themselves and even spoke to the doctor. The doctor had informed them that he believed the boy had a weak heart and that would be recorded in his report as a contributing factor to the cause of death. As much as Lynette loved Arthur and saw him as a brother, she didn't believe for one second that the boy had a weak heart.

She heard Tommy call her name once again as she pushed open to the doors to enter the building. Many looking up from their books or the money they had been counting to see what the commotion was, though many made the quick decision to avert their gazes once they saw that the redhead was in a fairly bad mood. Unfortunately for Scudboat and Lovelock, they were the first individuals she spotted once she had entered the shop. She marched up to them immediately before Tommy even had the chance to get through the doors properly.

"Where are they?" she demanded to the pair, her tone deadly.

Scudboat pointed in the direction of Tommy's old office, already aware of who she and his boss would be looking for. Lynette entered the office first, but her partner was only a step behind her. The two young boys jumped in their seats as the door was slammed behind the couple.

While Tommy moved to lean against the wall, Lynette stood with her arms crossed over her chest as she examined the boys. She took note of how they avoided looking at her, it was clear that they were expecting to get into trouble for something. Even when she had looked after them in the occasions when they were two years younger, they had learned to do as they were told and never lie when in her care. This was their moment to remember all those times that she had taught them what was right and wrong when they wanted to follow in their brothers' footsteps so early.

"Right, what happened?" Tommy questioned, his tone unusually soft considering the circumstance.

"It was a fair fight," Finn answered quietly.

Isaiah half heartedly looked up, nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah. Arthur just caught him with a good 'un."

Lynette's fierce gaze remained on the two boys, though she was still aware of Tommy's movements as he paused for a moment before stepping forward, a finger pointed warningly at his baby brother and his friend. "I saw the body, don't fucking lie to me. I saw the body, what fucking happened?"

"I'm not family, I'm saying nothing," Isaiah protested as he dropped his head to the ground.

Lynette clicked her tongue in annoyance, her glare unwavering. Her voice came out in a growl as she spoke. "You'll speak to us or you speak to the fucking police, it's your choice."