"I know how to read my father’s ledgers,” she murmured. “I’ve been helping him in his business long enough, even if he didn’t think he wanted the help. As for Blackwood’s books…”
She ran her finger over the page, and Tommy couldn’t stop watching it, wishing that it was travelling over his skin instead. “They are actually surprisingly well organized. I cannot help my curiosity about how Jonny got his hands on these.”
“I don’t think we want to know,” Tommy said with a chuckle.
“There is so much here. I didn’t realize just how vast hisreach was. But I’m focusing on the accounts pages. It’s easy to see where the payments are coming in,” she said in a low voice. “They are all protection payments from different businesses, or perhaps he is cashing in on debts, as he is trying to do with my father. Ada’s father’s business is here too, but they do supply ammunition…. The interesting thing is where his expenses go.”
“There is one name that appears multiple times,” Tommy said. “Jenkins.”
“Jenkins,” she said, looking up at him, her blue eyes bright. “I’ve heard that name before.” She pursed her lips, tapping a finger against them as she tried to think, and suddenly Tommy remembered a night when he had been drinking with Jonny at a bar. A man had joined them, had said he’d had a particularly long day.
“He’s a customs official,” he said suddenly, and Minnie’s eyes lit up.
“You’re right! He used to come into my father’s business time and again.”
“If Blackwood is paying him off, that means he’s bribing him.”
“That’s how he’s getting away with stealing shipments and working against these businesses,” Minnie murmured. “That makes sense.”
“And if we can catch him, then we could bring them both down.”
“Do you think these ledgers will be enough?” she asked, leaning in toward him, and Tommy frowned.
“I’m not sure, but it might be the best we can do. I think we go to the police. Tell them what we know, give them what we have, and let them handle it.”
“Would that implicate my father?”
“He’s respected. If he works with them, I’m sure he can getoff.”
She nodded slowly. “Can wetrustthe police?”
“I don’t think we have much other choice. I am doing all I can, Minnie, but I’m just a footballer and a blacksmith. I don’t know how to handle this kind of thing.”
It was a good reminder. That he was just a footballer. A blacksmith. He didn’t deserve Minnie, let alone could he do anything for her.
“You are doing more than enough,” she said, leaning in toward him again, but before she could get too close, Tommy leapt to his feet, stumbling backward for a moment as he set himself off-balance in his haste.
“Tea,” he said, saying the first thing that came into his head. “Do you want tea?”
“Tommy,” she said, standing and facing him, folding her arms across her chest. “What is going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you avoiding me? Why do you want nothing to do with me? Do I repulse you to that great an extent?”
“Repulseme?” he said, practically spitting out the words. “Of course not! Why on earth would you think that?”
“How could I not?” she exclaimed. “You practically run away from me. You turn away from me in bed. The only time you’ve ever touched me as one would his wife was to help me sleep!”
That did sound bad.
Tommy scratched his head. “It’s not what you think.”
“No?” she said, lifting her hands in the air beside her in exasperation. “Then enlighten me.”
“The problem, Minnie, is that I want you too much.”
She blinked a few times. “Pardon me?”
