The coal trains horn blew long and loud as it steamed through the tunnel, filling it with a gritty black smoke. The tracks rattled under the weight. On board on older man with a greying moustache looked down on his files.

                                                                                               Top Secret

                                                                                            Special Branch            

                                                                       BSA MUNITIONS ROBBERY:PRIME SUSPECTS

He looked around carefully before opening to the first page. His moustache twitched as he read. He had a lot depending on the outcome of this case.

On the first page a picture of an older man in British army uniform was stapled to the page along with details about the man.

Authur Shelby

6 Watery lane

Gangster, Racketeer, Illegal Bookmaker

Leader of the Peaky Blinders

The man looked out the window at the lush, green farmland before looking back at the papers and turning the page once again. Again there was a picture of a man in uniform although he didn't look as happy. There was something about him whether it be his sunken eyes or thin face the man did not know.

Thomas Shelby

6 Watery lane

Racketeering, Prostitution, Armed Robbery

Peaky Blinders

Honered and decorated for gallantry

He looked away and shook his head wondering how men who served with such pride followed this path. The train continued to roll down the tracks with the next stop been Birmingham.

                                                                                               ...

Everyone clapped and chaired as Freddie thorn walked through the centre of the crowd receiving pats on the back. Freddie wore a beige overcoat and a black fedora. He had his hair shaved on the side on long and slicked on the top plus a tidy kept beard.

He stepped up onto a platform in the middle of the factory and all the working men went wild.

"Alright shut up now" Freddie said smiling.

The clapping took a while to die down before he could continue.

"Comrades" Freddie began.

"Were he today to take a vote and strike action"

A few individuals clapped and nodded in agreement.

"But before we have a show of hands for that, lets have a show of hands from all those who fought in France. All those who stood side by side with your comrades. And watched your comrades fall. Raise your hands"

There was complete silence in the factory as one by one each and every man raised their hand. Freddie looked down at them and shook his head, screwing up his face.

"The pain and blood shed on Flanders fields. The sweat of your brows. Who reaps the rewards? Is it you?"

The men shook their heads and yelled no.

"Is it your wives?''

"NO!"

"Well who then? Do they stand among us?"

"NO!"

"Or do they sit at home comfortable, with a full belly, while you scrape to find enough to put shoes on your children's feet. And what is the reward they offer you for your sacrifices made? A fucking cut in your wages! That is your fucking reward! Raise a hand all those who want to strike"

Freddie had a mean look on his face and shook his fist as he spoke. The crowd erupted with noise in agreement to Freddie's speech. 

                                                                                                   ...

The man on the train looked down at another name in his files. The picture was a man with a haircut shaved on the sides and slicked and long on the top.

Freddie Thorn

26 South Street

B.S.A union contractor

Communist Agitator

Ada Shelby, Partner. Sister of Thomas and Arthur Shelby

The man put his files back in the briefcase they came from and tilted his back for a rest. This man was the Inspector. The "New Sheriff in town" so to speak.