Realistic or Modern Gangs of Birmingham - IC Thread [Open & Accepting]

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley​

Richard took a sip of his drink generously, needing it desperately to cut the tension. He knew the longer he waited to say the full truth, Robert would get more frustrated. He rested his hands on the counter, pushing some of the weight off his leg as he stared at the counter. Robert was letting him have it, claiming he didn’t care for the family. His mustache curled, trying to maintain his composure. But it was clear, Robert knew what buttons to push. After being caught off guard with the suddenness of this conversation and shocked with how vile it got, his temper was at Witt’s end. “Shut up! Just for once Robert!” He slammed his fist down, the rattle on the counter rocking both their drinks.

“I was going to call you tonight, but here you are. You want to have it out now? Then let’s have it. Just because I do the moral and right thing for the majority, you accuse me of betraying the family? Seriously Robert! You’ve got to be fucking joking!” He made direct contact with his brother again, clearly hurt. “Tony Fletcher came to me because he had nowhere else to go. You and Carol wouldn’t be of help, and he was scared shitless after the Gala. He wanted my help to work out the differences between the two of you, before this Marco situation

“This Marco bullshit was unplanned! He appeared, and against Tony’s will, confessed. He told me all of it.” Richard bit his lip, uncomfortable with the details of how his nephew was slaughtered. When he spoke again, his tone softened. “As much as I loved Charles, an eye for an eye doesn’t solve anything. If he lives, then he has to live with the guilt the rest of his life. That in itself is greater suffering than anything you could do to that kid.”

“Not that you care, but he is remorseful.” Richard added, matter of factly. “So what did I do? I opted to do the right thing. Marco is going to see a court of law and be tried like anyone else.” He replied firmly, nearly chastising Robert. “You’ve lost any semblance of a moral compass! From this reaction today, to nearly losing Caroline, and now you questioning my compassion for your family? Unbelievable! All I’m trying to do is protect you from yourself! That’s all I’ve ever done! Why can’t you see that? Caroline does, but you never have!”

Now that his temper had risen once again, Richard knew he was stoking the fire.

 

[Misty Gray]

Finley Residence
- Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert was surprised by Richard's sudden outburst telling him to shut up, followed by the slamming of his fist on the counter. Robert had been in many altercations, be they physical or verbal, so he was more than familiar with being on the receiving end of it. But the fact it was Richard doing the yelling this time was shocking to hear. It wasn't often the two men came to severe blows, but that unfamiliarity didn't mean Robert was about to back down and submit for the sake of peace.

Robert gave the drinking glasses an obvious glance, drily acknowledging how Richard's action had caused them to shake. He then shifted his stare back to his brother as the man began his tirade. Robert folded his arms, reminding himself not to interrupt and instead let the man get it off his chest... however much he had to fire at him. Whilst Richard said he had intended to call him, Robert didn't think that was good enough and he would have still wanted the conversation to be had in person.

He was surprised to hear that Tony went directly to Richard, but in the back of his mind he knew his brother likely came across as more approachable, or a softer touch, especially if the only other option was himself or Caroline. But when it came to it, Robert wasn't about to start picking fights about Tony. Since early on, he hadn't believed the man was the one who killed Charles, and he hoped it wouldn't transpire that the murder had been at all planned. Tony's confirmed innocence was something Robert wanted to stick, for the sake of their business together and to keep Caroline away from the Fletcher boss when the families were trying to cooperate.

Richard tried to assure him that Marco was full of remorse and would have to live with the guilt. Robert wanted to take comfort from that and not have to think his son was killed in cold blood, but it would be hard to ignore the months of enduring the unknown whilst Marco walked around knowing the truth. Any hints of Robert softening were quickly snapped away by the way Richard spoke to him in asserting Marco would be tried in court. It rubbed him up the wrong way and caused him to tense up as he held back from interrupting in that moment.

Perhaps it would have been better if had butted in, as his brother went on to push his buttons further. Not only questioning his moral compass, but bringing his marriage into it. Then claiming he was protecting him from himself. "Are you bloody serious?!" he snapped, now gripping the counter with both hands as if he keep himself at the opposite side of the counter to Richard. "If I'm lacking a moral compass, then it amazes me that you've been able to stand by me for so long! I have no idea how you've managed it," he sarcastically remarked. "And don't give me that sanctimonious bollocks about protecting me!" Robert gripped his glass and knocked back the rest of his drink, but kept the empty tumbler in his hand.

"You were right there with me when all of this started. You were even complicit in what had to be done to get this city under control. Birmingham was a mess when we came home from the war and I dread to think what kind of hellhole it would be now, without the steps my family took to clean up the city. Everything I have done has been to maintain what we built. The first sign of weakness, people will take advantage and drag Birmingham back down with them. So, what message does it send when I sit back and let my own son's killer walk into court unscathed? As much as you think you can be the Mayor who cleans the streets and rids it of crime, it will never work. Especially not when there are others willing to challenge both my family and the Fletchers."

With the glass still in his hand, he pointed his index finger at Richard. "This isn't the war. It doesn't sound like we're fighting on the same side this time. You're not protecting me, you're appeasing your voters."

ReverseTex (Richard)

 

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley
​

After his tirade, Richard knew exactly what buttons he pressed. Some of his frustration was well-founded, decades of built up animosity. Robert and him stopped seeing eye to eye years ago, particularly after the death of (insert character’s name). After his actions in that situation, he vowed to himself more than anyone to prevent unnecessary violence. Robert never saw it that way, and he knew he never would. Which was why it was so important to keep his brother away from Marco. He watched as Robert’s hands clawed the counter, knowing the piece of granite was the only thing caging both men back. “Sanctimonious? Why yes, exactly! Since that's the only way to get you to look in the mirror these days!” He retorted back when Robert paused to knock back his drink. He wasn't going to bring Caroline into this, but her outburst had led to Robert looking inward as well.

His comment spurred his wingman further, and it was his turn once again to brace the storm. When Robert mentioned weakness, he shook his head, disappointed in the reasoning. “You’re wrong, Robert.” He muttered under his breath, letting him continue out. “If that logic were true, then the Gala wouldn’t have happened. If that logic were true, I wouldn't have had to deal with what I did all those years ago. You’ve never been weak, and no one thinks you are. That’s simply self-imposed paranoia!”

“And don’t bring this newfound political situation into this! This is entirely separate! Why shouldn't I help those in need in my position take precedent?” Not everything in this universe revolves around you. The thought of Robert not seeing his honest motives stung more than he’d like. Boiling down his aspirations to be purely motivated by power hurt him more than it should. "You’re just saying that because you’re angry; I know you don’t believe that." He tried to tell himself.

Richard paused to down the rest of his drink, his face growing more flush with frustration. “You allowing Marco to see a fair trial shows more composure and strength than you waltzing into the bloody station and boxing the boy to death.” He tsked. “If you want to boil down three decades of our friendship to my selfish ambition, which you’ve completely made up to avoid the real issue I’m forcing you to deal with, then I suggest you leave." In the hand he held his glass in, his index finger rose towards the living room. "I'm sorry for being a bloody good friend and wanting the best for you! If I realized I was so unwanted and tainted, then I should've left years ago. Oh? I bet Caroline would've been right behind me." He was treading a fine line: one he only danced with Caroline and not his brother. This was different. Firing these blows at his brother, his best friend,, fueled his rage more than he thought. "I'm the same man I've always been, brother; it's you who's withered away into sin!" Richard's words hung like asinine on his breath. All of this was Robert's fault; like it or not. The adultery that drove Caroline away. The lies that drove his mistress and estranged daughter away. The knife that killed Charles. If Robert hadn't been so greedy and revolved around business, then perhaps the house of cards wouldn't have crashed so violently. He supposed now, it was his turn.

 

[Misty Gray]

Finley Residence
- Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert heard his brother mutter about him being wrong and when Richard said he wasn't weak, that it was paranoia, he wasn't going to argue. It was partly true. Robert didn't believe he was weak, especially not given how he'd managed to hold things together for the last three decades. But the fact remained in his mind, if he was seen to show weakness or not respond to attacks on his family or business, it could draw in adversaries to attack. Granted, it was true those who opened fire at the gala were brave enough to attack the two most powerful crime families at once.

Being berated for bringing Richard's new position as mayor into it didn't draw further reaction from Robert in that moment either. Except, of course, a rolling of the eyes when told the universe didn't revolve around him. Silently, Robert did harbour some reservations about it. He couldn't help but imagine many possibilities where his brother would be made to go against him in order to uphold his oath to the city. A passing joke from Caroline that morning had led him to further dwell on that scenario. "Perhaps I am," he simply agreed when Richard suggested he'd said what he had simply because he was angry. He was sure Richard would be loyal to the family, but he still expected the man would at some point have to choose his position as mayor over defending his family.

Robert lowered his gaze and set the glass down on the counter as he listened. He nodded when told letting Marco have a fair trial was better than barging into the station and beating up the lad. He was already resigning to that fact. His eyes snapped back up to his brother when he was told to leave if he wanted to question their 30 years of friendship. He nodded his head and moved slightly as he looked towards the living room. Some part of him considered leaving, as if it would make their lives easier to go their separate ways. But that was only a small, fleeting part, with the rest keeping him firmly glued to the spot directly across from Richard. He wasn't a man to walk away from a fight nor from a resolution.

Robert tapped his fingertips on the counter as Richard made his sarcastic apology for being a good friend. When he mentioned how he should have left years ago and then that Caroline would have been behind him, Robert felt his face burning up as the anger simmered beneath the surface. His supposed brother had crossed the line. The following comment about how he'd withered away into sin was the final straw.

Robert finally rounded the counter and grabbed the the collar of Richard's shirt with both hands, pushing him back towards the wall. Richard had never been unwanted to him and Robert would never want him to leave, but in the heat of the argument, there was no way his mind could focus on those facts. "If I'm reduced to sin and lacking any moral compass, you know what you should have done? You should have spared yourself and everyone else from having to suffer me. You should have left me to rot and die in Casablanca!"

ReverseTex (Richard)

 

[neverbackdown]

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Victoria "Rory" Fletcher
​

With everything that had happened in the last few weeks, Rory had found herself unable to investigate into the believed affair that her mother was having with Robert Walker. The thought had constantly been at the forefront of her mind but with emotions already running high due to her Gran's brush with death, Rory never found the opportunity to question Dorothy about it and the not knowing was frustrating her to no end.

Given the accusation she was bearing, Rory would have preferred to have spoken to her mother privately about the matter. She wasn't sure how her siblings would react to the news and she didn't want to tarnish her mother's name if she was wrong but with Dorothy choosing to remain in Manchester to look after their Grandmother, Rory felt she had no choice but to speak to Tony about it. She hoped that her brother would be able to put her mind at ease and tell her she was wrong but it seemed to be the only thing that could explain Robert's softness towards them.

Looking across at her brother, Rory held her cup of coffee between her hands as she examined him carefully, trying to gauge how he would take the news she was about to give him. She released a slow sigh as Tony told her to recount what had happened in the jail and she took a long sip of her coffee as she tried to get her words in order.

"I actually wanted to talk to you about that because I'm still not sure" she admitted. Rory placed her cup on the side table before crossing her legs under her and looking towards her brother once again. "So he came in, lectured me on my future, listened to my side of events, told me he believed me that it wasn't us that set the cars alight and then got me out" Rory bit her lip as she let her quick synopsis sink in, she had purposely left out the main reason she had been given by Robert and the most important thing he had said to her in that cell .. for her mother.. but she found herself unable to just blurt it out, rather she felt she needed to delicately approach the subject to get some more information before accusing their mother of such a horrible crime.

"Tony, do you know why the Walkers and Fletchers stopped being friends?" Whilst it may seem like the question was randomly asked, Rory's mannerisms and tone of voice would show that this was anything but random, rather it was a question that had been haunting her since she spoke to Robert in that jail cell weeks ago. "Like Mom and Caroline were friends once as were Robert and Dad from what I've picked up on over the years they were a close group weren't they? so what happened"

********
Misty Gray - Tony

 

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley
​

Richard felt his stomach drop knowing what he set in motion. He could see Robert’s seething rage finally boil to the surface beyond words, his face painted red with anger. Before he had a chance to diffuse his brother, Robert was around the counter faster than he’d expect for their age. With his bum leg, there was much he could do. He was up against the kitchen wall before he knew it, pinned under the mountain of his brother’s rage.

Withering in his grasp, Richard tried to free himself without force at first. But as Robert shouted at him, the stress of the situation was boiling his temper back up to par. To leave his wingman in Casablanca? Now he was truly deranged. “Robert Walker,” he sternly said. He didn’t want to go this route. There was no point. If he could ground Robert, perhaps there would be a chance to calm him down. In order to try and loosen the grip on his collar, he placed his hands around Robert’s wrist. Robert’s rage was clearly winning the battle, and there were no signs of him letting go anytime soon. It was clear, a bit of anxiety was setting in on his part. “Robert, let me go.” He pleaded once again, tilting his head curiously. “I would have never done that. We’re not going to dig up what we buried in the sand. It has nothing to do with this.” As he spoke, his chest tightened, anxiety fully creeping in.

The tightness of the situation, the pressure from Robert and the wall fully boxed him in. But he could barely hear his brother’s retort, starting to slip into a fuzzy state. It was all too much. “Let go of me!” Richard shouted, unaware of how much force or loud he actually was. He thought he shoved his brother gently away, as if he were falling in the very sand they left behind in the desert. But, the thud that snapped him out of his panic suggested otherwise. At first, he thought it was his glasses that slid off his face. He knew well enough now when he slipped in those states, sounds weren’t as they seemed. But Robert staggering on the ground for a moment was all the proof he needed to ground him.

“I’m sorry. Shit, Robert…” Richard started to dip down, lending a hand to try and help him up.

 

[Misty Gray]

Finley Residence
- Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert felt his brother's hands around his wrist, but it did nothing to make him loosen his grip on the man's shirt. Although Richard assured him he would never have left him in Casablanca and that they shouldn't bring up the ordeal endured at Max's hands, it was too late. Those memories were ones that, even in the years when they rarely sprang to mind, never left him. More recently, since Charles died, the flashbacks and nightmares had increased again. Be it stress or anxiety, those feelings tended to elevate the resurfacing of his worst traumas.

With the men locked into the tense situation, Richard finally snapped and loudly yelled at him. Along with his outburst, the man forcefully pushed Robert back, causing him to stumble over his own feet and fall backwards onto the floor, his arm colliding with the bottom edge of the counter as he landed. It wasn't enough of a blow to cause real damage, but still enough for him to immediately grip his grazed forearm for a moment.

He looked up as Richard apologised and offered his hand to help him get back up. Robert remained still for a brief time, the surprise leaving him momentarily dazed. As it was, the shock of the fall had at least been enough to snap him out of his anger and metaphorically bring him back down to earth - not just physically. Reaching up with his unaffected arm, he accepted his brother's hand - more of a courtesy than desperately needing the help.

Once on his feet, he smoothed out his shirt and loosened his tie as if it was restricting him. "Don't apologise," he told him. "I asked for it," he admitted, rubbing his forehead in frustration with himself. "I shouldn't have grabbed you."

Robert briefly paced on the spot and let out a deep sigh. "You've never been unwanted, Rich. If I didn't think you were a good friend, I'd have stopped calling you brother a long time ago. Whatever you think of my character and nature, at least believe that."

ReverseTex (Richard)

 

[Misty Gray]

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Tony Fletcher​

Tony curiously studied his sister when she said she wasn't sure about what had happened at the police station. He wondered what her uncertainty with it was all about, but he remained quiet to let her keep talking and give what detail she could. What Rory gave him was quite a simple recount of that night. After lecturing her and believing her side, Robert had helped get her released. "He gave you a lecture?" he rhetorically asked, managing a small smirk. "He is good at those."

Rory didn't elaborate further on the lectures or any details Robert had given her, but before Tony could press her, she surprised him by asking why their family and the Walkers had stopped being friends. "Our parents probably just came to realise how insufferable Caroline and Robert are," he remarked.

"What's got you so curious about them all of a sudden? You and Robert haven't become best mates now, have you?" Despite his joke, Tony could see Rory was quite serious in her question, so he conducted himself in kind. "Me an' Charles were sort of friends for a bit too. Just kids back then and played together, albeit he could be a bit overbearing back then too, hence why we stopped hanging out even before our families fell out. I vaguely remember our parents and the Walkers getting along," he recalled.

"It's obvious why they fell out, ain't it? Our family's business was doing well and Robert didn't like it. He wanted Birmingham all to himself and our dad was getting in his way, so the Walkers turned on us like they do everyone else who challenges them. I got the feeling Mum and Caroline were still mates for a bit even when Dad and Robert stopped being that. I remember Caroline bringing some gifts for you when you were a baby, but then I think she and Mum had a falling out, because that suddenly stopped one day and they were never on good terms again. Let's face it, Caroline is pretty unpleasant!" he pointed out.

"End of the day, it's all about money and control. Robert didn't like that our family was getting some of it, so his lot turned on us and fucked with us ever since." He then looked Rory in the eyes. "Why the curiosity though? What did he say to you? Just because Robert got you out of jail, doesn't mean he's your friend all of a sudden. I'm having to work with him and Alfie at the moment, but I'm under no illusions that this puts us on goods terms after or that the Walkers won't shaft us when the time is right."

neverbackdown (Rory)

 

[Misty Gray]

Gatsby's Restaurant
- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Caroline Walker​

After waking up in her husband's arms and then spending the first few hours of their waking day still in bed talking, Caroline had ended up with quite a spring in her step that morning. She knew there were still obstacles to overcome and answers to get out of Robert, but for now, she was happy with the progress they'd made.

As they'd spoken about, Caroline drove into the city that morning and spent quite some time in the travel agents before eventually deciding on a destination. Initially, she'd been considering one of the Spanish islands, but finally decided on various locations in Italy. She figured the beaches and the cities would please both of them, along with the warmer May weather.

After booking the holiday, Caroline made her way straight to Gatsby's Restaurant where she'd arranged to meet Jackie. She hadn't seen him much lately and honestly, her nephew concerned her at times. Drugged up and reckless quite often, she knew Robert was growing tired of his behaviour.

It was the afternoon when Caroline walked into the restaurant, in good spirits. With the errands she'd been running, she managed to completely miss the news about Marco being arrested. If she did know, she certainly wouldn't be relaxing at Gatsby's, never mind in such a peaceful and pleasant mood.

When the hostess showed her to the reserved table, she enquired as to whether Beth had returned to work yet since her father's death. When she was told the restaurant owner hadn't been back yet, Caroline pursed her lips. "Well, that's no good, is it?" she remarked as she slipped into her chair at the square table. "Just a red wine, please," she requested when asked if she wanted a drink. When left on her own, she thought about Beth and how she would make sure to pay her a visit. Having been surrounded by grief and wallowing family members far too often, she wouldn't let Beth fall into that trap too. It was unhealthy to hide away.

When she saw Jackie enter the restaurant, Caroline waved him over to the table. She gave him a brief hug before moving back into her seat. "Nice of you to join me," she drily greeted him. Regardless of whether he was on time or not, she'd arrived first so of course she would tease him. "What have you been doing with yourself lately?" she probed, given her absence whilst in London meant she'd lost tabs on him.

purplecowdutch (Jackie)

 

[purplecowdutch]

Jackie Walker - gatsby's restaurant caroline walker - neverbackdown


It was great morning as he was still awake at 10 o'clock and apparently had promised his aunt that he would meet her at twelve. This meant he had two hours to sleep before he would be flooded with questions by her.

They agreed on the Gatsy's bar but Jackie was still way too intoxicated to drive, luckily the walk over helped him sober up. He knew his aunt wasn't crazy about all the partying he did so he wanted to hide it the best that he could and see what he could get out of this conversation. Caroline knew his father and was one of the only people who he felt like actually cared. Although lately since Charles died, she had been away a lot. Traveling to Italy with Robert and they barely called.

Jackie knew his uncle was never fond of him and it didn't seem to be a secret, after his night with Vinny and Scott, Jackie realized how he had been kept out of it all. That night escalated quickly after the amount of alcohol and cocaine they all took, it was great blackmail material for any of them.

Jackie rushed himself to the restaurant in a nice, fancy suit. He would always dress up for a dinner with Caroline, she couldn't stand seeing him not take care of himself and Jackie wanted to avoid that topic.
He was greeted by a hostess who looked familiar by face but he didn't see Beth anywhere, he called her once or twice but their conversations were short and she was upset about her father which was not very surprising. Jackie didn't ask her about the guy who obviously knew her since he wasn't sure how to and didn't want to ruin his chances just yet.

His aunt waved him over as soon as she saw him and he was bummed she was there before him. He immediately spotted the red wine on the table and held up the hostess, 'a bottle will do,' he added to Caroline's order quietly, the hostess lady smiled at him nicely before he went in to hug Caroline.

Even though they weren't blood related, it felt like they were very similiar. His father loved Caroline, sometimes it felt like his father liked Caroline more than his own mother. She remarked how it was nice of him to join her and he gave her a sarcastic smile back, 'I know I'm a little late but you know I could never miss this.'

Before he could sit down her question parade had already begun and Jackie was glad he took a key right before coming here because how else would he be able to keep his head from falling into the fancy tomato soup starter.

'I have been doing great,' he said absently, playing with the napkins that were on the table before them.
'You know, been doing a lot of business with Vinny and Scott and I realized just how much Robert cuts me out,' he spoke slowly but surely. He looked up at Caroline and though he wanted to apologize, he didn't. He shook his head, 'but it's fine. You look great, I have never been to Italy but I heard they have beautiful women over there,' he added and was sort of relieved when the bottle of wine was brought by the same hostess.
Saved by the bell.

They poured Jackie a glass and she gave a sort of awkward smile to the both of them, Jackie pointed as he sat back in his chair, holding up his glass of wine. 'Cheers to you, aunt Caroline.' Jackie pointed at the hostess as she walked away and gave his aunt a bit of a smirk. 'Must be new,' he then added mockingly. 'Normally they know your last name, right auntie?'

 

[neverbackdown]

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Victoria "Rory" Fletcher
​

When Tony asked if her and Robert had become best mates a smirk played on her lips as she rolled her eyes "oh yeah best friends, real father figure to me now" she joked in response but as much as she tried to keep her tone light for the sake of the joke, a tone of disgust still found its way into her voice.

As Tony began to talk more seriously, Rory listened intently, her features showing her to be deep in thought as she tried to connect the information he was providing with the thoughts already in her head. At the mention of Caroline bringing her gifts, Rory's eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she tried to figure out what the gifts had been. She honestly didn't care what the woman had given her but she just hoped that it wasn't a beloved item of hers now, she decided for her own sake that it was baby clothes she had quickly grown out of, unwilling to ask Tony the details in case it was something important to her.

When Tony repeated about Rory and Robert being friends but in a serious tone this time, Rory raised her eyebrows looking at him silently for a moment to really let it sink in that she was horrified he would accuse her of thinking such a thing "If you think him getting me out of jail has softened me to the Walkers then you really don't know me brother."

Rory sighed as she rubbed her hands down her face, clearly conflicted in the information she was about to let out. Rubbing her temples in a circular motion, Rory closed her eyes as she tried to massage out the bubbling stress headache before it took hold of her. It was too late now to back out of telling Tony and Rory honestly was a little worried about his reaction. She knew her family inside and out, she prided herself in being able to plan for her siblings reactions to things, in knowing how they would act but something like this was hard to figure out, would he laugh in her face? get angry with her? It was an impossible situation to gauge which was only adding to the stress she was already feeling.

"Right so" she finally spoke as her eyes shifted up to look at her brother again and her hands dropped to her lap. "I asked Robert why he was there and so eager to help me, hell this is the second time he's gotten me out of a sticky situation and I don't understand it. His response was simply "your mother" he then continued that our families used to be friends and that he didn't want mum to have to suffer ". Rory took a breath as she allowed a moment for Tony to fully digest her words. "He also told me that I should push for more suitable roles in our family, didn't try to talk me out of the family business, which i assumed he would, instead he basically told me to start acting like a higher up in the family"

"Tony think about it, he is known as ruthless and vicious, he is feared as is his family and yet to us he's like the big friendly giant. If we pulled the stunts we do against any other family of the Walker's power we would probably be dead or at the very least they would have tried to kill us and yet we get ...what?.. a little slap on the wrist and told to do better. He got you out of jail after the gala, Me and Sully were left unharmed and our weapons were even returned and now he's getting me out of jail for an attack that I know I wasn't involved in but I was present for..." Rory took a shaky breath as she watched her brother carefully.

"Tony I think Mum is having an affair with Robert Walker" It was out in the open and Rory honestly had thought she would feel some kind of relief from speaking it out loud but instead she felt sick. Saying it out loud only confirmed the thought for her, she was now sure of it and no matter what Tony said, Rory couldn't be talked out of this, their mother was sleeping with the enemy.

******
Int-
Misty Gray - Tony

 

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley
​

“That’s why I had to quit the security gig, Rob. I’m just too bloody good at this sort of thing.” Richard teased as he helped his brother to his feet. The quicker he stifled his rising anxiety, the better. But either way, it was well known that he wouldn’t harm a fly. After the war, all he wanted in life was to feel the rush of combat again. His mental struggles after the war were also due in part to search for purpose. He had a trained purpose in the Royal Air Force: kill or be killed. Robert’s offer to run his security and more lucrative assets scratched that itch until the Jones family... That reinvented his outlook on life and the root of his logic.

“It is what it is,” he patted Robert’s shoulder, accepting his apology. He didn’t like to dwell on the negatives, especially with his brother. While Robert pieced himself back together, continuing the apology, he went to the refrigerator to dig up something frozen. Finding a suitable frozen bag of vegetables, he snagged a towel draped over the oven door, wrapping the frozen bag with it before handing it to his brother. “You’ve been a piece of work since the day I met you. I know you aren’t half bad.” He said warmly. Even if he knew he was wanted, deep down, the verbal affirmation was more than he received from his biological family.

“But I know you better than anyone, set aside for Caroline at times.” He started. “And I understand this is a difficult time for you.” From the touch and go situation with Caroline, to now reeling with a newfound responsibility to his bastard daughter, he knew this was the worst timing to add another layer of stress. “You don’t have to hold this all together by yourself. Your children are capable, so is Caroline.” The reminder was kinder and well-worded compared to his last attempt at setting his brother straight. “But I’ve got this situation handled, Robert. I’m doing it the right way.”

He paused, letting his wingman catch his thoughts up to speed. “You know, I’ve always admired how you’ve raised a loving family. Despite the odds,” he remarked, implying Robert’s own internal struggles over the years. “You could’ve resourced to other outlets, like I did, but you always stayed firm. Even when it was easier to just give up and die.” With a nod, he sighed. “That part of your character is quite remarkable.”

 

[Misty Gray]

Finley Residence
- Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert took the wrapped frozen vegetables bag from Richard before moving back to the counter, resting his arm on the surface as he pressed the cold compress against the injury site. He was sure there was no real damage, but easing any swelling and discomfort now seemed sensible in his more reasonable mind.

"I'm fairly certain I warned you of that pretty early on in our friendship. For whatever reason, you seemed to want the drama in your life," he teased in response to his brother's warmth.

Robert nodded along when Richard said he understood things were difficult for him. He looked down to his arm whilst his wingman commended him for raising his family. There had been many times he'd had fleeting moments about giving in to his demons and letting his inner struggles overcome him. Somehow, there had always been something within him that hadn't let him give in. And whilst his fighting spirit may have also led him to apparently deviating away from any moral compass, it's what had kept him alive and fighting for all of this time. "Thank you," he told him, looking up to meet his brother's eyes again. "Loving they may be, but it's come with a lot of resentment. Hell, Diana would rather be anywhere but near her family."

He let out a deep sigh as he thought over the words about not holding everything together by himself. "I know," he relented. "I'm working on giving Alfie more. And Caroline is back home now too - I think we're both returning to a good place with each other. She's been out booking a holiday for us as we speak," he went on, managing a dry laugh. "Granted, it could just be that she's planning on taking me out to sea and throwing me overboard. I couldn't really blame her for that."

Robert pinched the bridge of his nose when Richard assured him he had the Marco situation under control. "I'm sure you are," he said, upon being told he was doing things the right way. "It's going to be a challenge holding Caroline back, I'm sure you realise. So I'm hoping you can answer my next questions and make it easier for me," he awkwardly began. "Why did he do it? I've seen that lad around and I looked him in the eyes at the station. He was more like a deer caught in headlights than anything else. And I hope to God Tony wasn't there or involved, after all of the times he swore blind to me he was innocent." Any agreement with Dorothy to go easy on Tony would be off the table if he had been lying all along about having no part in Charles's murder.

ReverseTex (Richard)

 

[Misty Gray]

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Tony Fletcher​

Tony was surprised to see his sister looking so serious and apparently stressed about whatever was on her mind. He was starting to wonder if something had been said to her by Robert that was causing her to be this way. He hoped he was wrong as he'd have to punch the guy and worry about the repercussions later!

He sat still as Rory told him more about her conversation with Robert. He nodded along, aware this was the second time the man had helped her out rather than throwing her to the dogs, or the cops. With Robert's mention of their mother brought into the conversation, he straightened his posture as his interest piqued. "Funny that, ain't it?" he rhetorically asked. "Considering Caroline always has a death stare aimed at our family."

In the back of his mind, Tony was still thinking about why Robert would do anything for their mother, but his thoughts were for now overwritten as Rory continued to speak. He couldn't help but scoff at the thought of Robert giving his sister career advice. "What's it to him? And of course he ain't going to talk you out of it, because it's none of the wanker's business. But what do you think to that? Are you unhappy with your current role in this business?" he seriously asked. He hadn't given her serious roles because she hadn't asked, but also as he didn't want to encourage her to get heavily and dangerously involved in the family business. He was sure their parents would disapprove of that, and it would be on his conscience if he'd pushed Rory into something that got her hurt or killed.

When his sister went on to describe Robert's persona and the fear his reputation had instilled in his adversaries, Tony couldn't deny it. Nor could he deny that he'd been surprised that he wasn't dead in the bottom of a river or buried deep in some abandoned dump by now. Tony knew he'd crossed the Walkers far more than most and somehow lived to tell the tale without being made to suffer for it. All that leeway for some old friendship with their mother? "You're not wrong..." he trailed off to show he was listening, albeit trying to find a plausible explanation to set her mind at ease.

Tony was suddenly snapped out of his deep thoughts when he heard Rory say the most outrageous thing. He couldn't help it when his automatic reaction was to laugh at the suggestion Robert and Dorothy were having an affair. Even when he fell silent, the humoured grin remained on his face. Seeing how serious Rory still was, his face slowly dropped. "That's a wild theory," he firmly told her, wanting her to retract it so they could both erase the idea from their minds completely.

However, as the idea was now implanted in his head, he couldn't help but consider it. Realistically, they had been given more chances than they deserved and there was no explanation for it that would suggest it benefitted the Walkers' business to show them mercy. "She wouldn't..." he trailed off. Tony wasn't against his mother seeing someone else, not after how long his father had been in prison and left her on her own. But surely she wouldn't seek comfort in the enemy's arms. Granted, he was unaware an affair had actually started long before Norman's arrest.

Tony had to admit, it was a possible explanation for Robert having helped both of them and Sully recently. Caroline was full of contempt for the Fletchers and the way she stared daggers at Dorothy at every opportunity didn't go unnoticed. "They have always been pleasant around each other, but I figured that's just professional courtesy, like at the gala," he thought aloud. "If it's true, then Caroline has to know something, given the way she is with Mum. Though that could be explained by our families being at each others' throats and her believing I killed Charles."

Tony shook his heads, as if trying to expel the thoughts from his mind. "Do you seriously believe that's true? Mum's a good looking lady, so she wouldn't have trouble finding a bloke," he said, trying not to dwell too much on the thought of his mother and her love life. "So surely she wouldn't pick the worst man possible."

neverbackdown (Rory)

 

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley
​

Now that things were returning to homeostasis between them, Richard realized his glasses were still stranded on the floor. As Robert detailed the home situation was improving, he slowly dipped down to save his stranded frames. “At the least, she could pour some concrete in your shoes,” he teased on the topic of Caroline throwing him overboard. Gently, he wiped his lenses on his sleeve, then slid them back on. Immediately, he noticed Robert’s nose pinched, an obvious telltale of his brother’s frustration. He leaned his back against the countertop behind him, trying to alleviate some of the stress on his limp leg.

Robert’s next words were from the heart, hence the awkward hesitation. He crossed his arms, both out of comfort and uneasiness. Robert Walker, the grieving father, stood before him. Not the business man, the soldier, or the brother. Once he finished, he sighed, evaluating how he wanted to frame his next words. “I want to preface; this is an ongoing investigation, Robert.” He started. Despite the investigation being a forgone conclusion, all of the evidence turned in by Marco and Tony, the system still had to run its course. In his soul, he knew the truth from Marco’s lips. He held all the pieces of the puzzle. But some of those pieces were graphic, and simply something a loving father didn’t deserve to hear.

“Marco and Charles were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.” Richard began. He needed to phrase this story as delicately as possible. The court would show less regard for feelings, and likely disturb the couple more. For now, he could control the narrative. “It was an accident, Robert.” He paused, knowing that fact wouldn’t sit well coming from him. “As hard as it is to hear, Marco had probable cause. It was self defense. Charles was strangling the lad. And we both know how Charles was…”

He didn’t want to say it aloud, since the dead couldn’t defend themselves. But it seemed Charles’s memory cemented him as a saint rather than what he was. As much as he loved the boy, practically raising him alongside his friends, he knew Charles was prone to bouts of violence. “Marco didn’t have any intent to kill, he was a scared kid fighting another scared kid.” His voice choked, touched trying to push down the rush of all his emotions. He wouldn’t tell Robert the details of the murder. Not the knifing or the sheer fear he saw in Marco’s eyes when he recounted the event. That was something a father didn’t deserve to hear.

 

[Misty Gray]

Gatsby's Restaurant
- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Caroline Walker​

Caroline watched Jackie fidgeting with the napkins as he spoke, but she held back from drawing attention to it or telling him to stop. Even if it was slightly grating to watch the poor dining table etiquette, she had enough on her mind without fussing over it.

Hearing Jackie speak of how he thought Robert cut him out of the business caused her to curiously eye him, but he was quick to move the subject on to start saying she looked great. She wouldn't let him comments about being left out of the business be brushed aside though. For now, she rolled her eyes when her nephew said there were beautiful women in Italy. "Well, those beautiful women had best stay well away from my husband when we do go there. They will, if they know what's good for them," she playfully remarked.

Caroline stayed silent whilst the waitress brought the wine over. Thanking her, she watched the young woman walk away before turning back to Jackie. "Cheers," she told him as she lifted her glass in return. "I haven't seen her before, so maybe she is new. After the last few months, I'm happy to be left alone and not be recognised," she admitted. "London was surprisingly relaxing, yet somehow I still returned to Birmingham and its chaos. Someone has to keep the men of this family in line."

"Now then. What is this about Vinny and Scott?" she returned the conversation to his earlier point. It stood to reason that Vinny would be privy to more of the business, given he was Robert's primary bodyguard and chauffeur. As for Scott, she was aware he himself had recently been stripped of some of his responsibilities and that it was in part due to his friendship with Jackie. Her nephew had a drug habit and so it was risky Scott being so involved in the drug trade considering his friendship with Jackie. But that wasn't all she knew.

"I need you to listen to me on this. Your father and I were good friends, we got along well. However, Robert wasn't unreasonable in cutting him out of the business. Robert had ideas for Birmingham before he even fought in the war. When he returned home, exhausted and damaged from those years fighting, he didn't rest. He immediately started helping to rebuild Birmingham, whilst pursuing his ideas of growing his own business empire. My father put his faith in Robert to succeed and he worked hard to get where he is today. But Jackie, it will bother you to hear, but your father didn't lift a finger to help in those early days. Henry was a friend of mine, but I won't sugarcoat it. Your father behaved as if he deserved a part of Robert's business, as if he earned it through blood alone."

Caroline took a delicate sip of wine from her glass. "As it stands, you haven't done enough to show Robert that you deserve a bigger part in the business. Picking fights and showing up to family events drunk or on drugs. It doesn't go unnoticed. That's why Robert is hesitant to give you more responsibility. You have to prove your to him, just like Alfie, Felicity, and Thomas do too. It's not a birthright to inherit any of this. You have to prove yourself to him," she firmly told Jackie.

Like her own father, Robert disagreed with nepotism and that everything had to be earned. Despite being the youngest of three sisters, it was Caroline who had been left the business and control of the family's finances after his death. That was on account of her working the hardest and being the one of her siblings to show competency within her father's own empire.

purplecowdutch (Jackie)

 

[Misty Gray]

Finley Residence
- Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert raised an eyebrow at Richard when he pointed out the investigation was ongoing. Still, he looked at his brother in a way that implored him to keep talking, to give him something that he could use to try understand why Marco had killed his son. The comment about the two young men being in the wrong place at the wrong time was completely unsatisfying. It gave no reason for his son to be dead. If anything, hearing Charles had been murdered in a malicious and intentional way would have been more satisfying than no reasoning to cling on to.

Then Richard went on to tell him Marco hadn't meant to kill Charles, that it had been self-defence, Robert looked back down towards his arm. Lifting the ice compress away for a time, he looked towards his grazed forearm, but in reality he may as well have been staring into space. His thoughts were instead getting ahead of him, imagining a scenario where Marco had to defend himself against Charles. He let go of the frozen vegetable bag, letting it rest over his arm again. Looking back up, he met Richard's eyes, dwelling on the words about them both knowing how Charles was.

Robert's eyes glistened as he fought back his emotions upon hearing Richard's words about Marco and Charles both being scared kids. All he could think of in that moment was the night Charles was found safe, after been kidnapped and terrified at the hands of Elwyn Jones. His nine year-old son had been happy and full of innocence before that ordeal. But the trauma the boy suffered had felt like a catalyst. "Charles changed after those bastards abducted him," Robert bitterly pointed out.

"He was instantly more protective over Alfie and Felicity. More determined to be just like me; someone he saw as strong and fearless," he observed. "And I encouraged it... I pushed him. I saw how he could be overbearing and even critical over his brothers and sisters, but I let it happen. Charles was meant to take over this business, so I wanted him to be mentally and physically strong enough to handle it. That meant protecting his family and keeping our rivals in line. But Alfie recently told me Charles could be critical and unpleasant towards him and the others." Robert shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment to hide his upset. "So if Marco says he killed my boy in self-defence, I can't deny that it's completely plausible."

Opening his eyes again, Robert's vision was clouded by the stray tears that had built up. "And if that's true, then I'm just as to blame for my son's death than Marco is. I encouraged and rewarded his dangerous side for the sake of the business."

ReverseTex (Richard)

 

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley
​

Richard had to bite his lip to hold in the dread he felt as soon as Robert registered his words. How Charles was. It didn’t give him an ounce of satisfaction being right, as it often did. Just because he could look at the situation objectively didn’t make it any less easier for him to swallow. He lost a nephew; the first child he truly cared about. His brother lost his first-born son as did his sister in law. Nothing was easy about this.

Robert’s self degradation didn’t help either. He kept his eyes locked on him, knowing he was the sole anchor from his brother spiraling into a much darker place. Even if he wanted to turn away. “It’s not your fault, Robert. It never was your fault to begin with, and it never will be.” He said softly, verging on tears himself. “I can say it ‘till I’m blue in the face, but it won’t mean a damn thing unless you truly believe that.”

His next words would be the nail in Charles’s coffin. That darling young boy; the one who chatted about comic book heroes, the one who was too stubborn to ask for help on his homework, was long gone. “Why do you think a man of Marco’s stature had to use a knife?” The pain in his voice was evident, trying to deliver the blow as best as he could. “Charles didn’t stop, Robert. Even after the first few blows, Marco described it as…” Richard stopped himself, not wanting to paint a worse portrait than necessary.

Before he could say anything more, knowing how much it hurt both men, Richard made his way across the counter to his brother. Without a second thought, he wrapped him in a heavy and warm embrace. “I’m so sorry…” Richard mustered through his own silent tears, trying to keep it together for Robert.

 

[purplecowdutch]

Jackie Walker - gatsby's restaurant caroline walker - neverbackdown


His aunt playfully remarked when Jackie had brought up the beautiful Italian women, he had never been but he sure had read a lot of magazines and not the traveling kinds.
Jackie had to fight the urge to not roll his eyes, word spread around fast and he knew his uncle was no better than any other men in the family Walkers.
She brought up the chaos that unraveled in Birmingham and Jackie nodded and shrugged, acting like he wasn´t a part of why it had unraveled in the first place.

Jackie lifted up his glass once the wine had arrived and was pretty happy Caroline didn´t give him any lecture about his terrible etiquette but he probably cheered too soon when she brought up Vinny and Scott. Nothing seemed to go unnoticed with Caroline.

Jackie felt every opportunity to throw Vinny under the bus, take his place but they would never believe him. How could they ever believe Vinny over blood of their own?
Before he could even think of what it was with Vinny and Scott, she started talking. About his father, Robert and even her own. Jackie had a hard time hearing about his father and a hard time believing the story. His father, who was so hard on him, didn't do anything? It just didn't make sense.

Jackie leaned back into his chair, while she named his cousins. How much they proved himself and how he had a problem. More of a problem than Vinny had? Or Scott?
Jackie rubbed his hand across his face as if he was trying to process whatever was said before leaning in with a quick motion. He was pissed but he had to stay tactful. He loved his aunt but he didn't agree with her on anything she said. He didn't have a problem and his father got robbed and that's why he was angry at the world, at Jackie and at Richard.

Jackie tapped on the table, trying to think of something to say. 'Aunt, I've been doing all the fucking dirty work in this family for years, when is he going to give me an actual opportunity?' He almost hissed and shook his head in disbelief. 'Not something that involves cleaning up his mess, no, an actual job. How can he trust Vinny over his own fucking blood? I'm his nephew for god's sake,' he added, sounding very obviously hurt.

He fell back into his chair after the tensions had build up between the two, bouncing his leg under the table either from withdrawal or anger. 'Aunt Caroline, I need you to help me. If you can talk to Robert, I can take Vinny's place,' he offered, 'Richard agrees and I know you will, Thomas agrees and you. .' Jackie looked at her and you would almost feel bad for him. He wanted to be a part, make his father proud, like any other son. 'You are my favorite aunt,' he added, grabbing the glass of wine and drinking it in one go. 'You are my only chance.' Jackie kept eye contact, he wasn't going to let this go just like that, he was never a quitter.

 

[neverbackdown]

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Victoria "Rory" Fletcher
​

Rory bit her lip in thought as Tony asked about her feelings towards her role in the family business. To be honest, it wasn't a conversation she was thinking of having with him in this current moment, rather she had said it to give him all the facts of how weird her talk with Robert Walker had been but now that it was brought up and in the open she felt that there was no shying away from it. "Honestly, I've been content in what I have been doing" she mused "but I do feel I am ready to step up and help more especially now as everything is so hectic, I just don't think I was ready to embrace it or change my behaviors until recently" she explained. She knew that her recklessness was a key factor in why she wasn't involved in serious and precise matters and she would never blame Tony for that, it was her own doing and her own attitude she felt made her somewhat impossible to trust in delicate situations.

As the conversation moved back to her mother and Robert, Rory stayed quiet to allow Tony to think about the information she had just given him, allowing him to make up his own mind and react in a way he found fit. She had expected the laugh and so she didn't let that phase her, rather she watched silently as the laughing stopped and his face contorted into a more serious expression. "I know its wild and seems like a huge jump and I wish more than anything for it to be false but Tony it's really hard to ignore the facts" she commented.

When he asked if she believed it, Rory sighed and rubbed her forehead with her left hand as she allowed herself a moment to truly think about it before she answered "Unfortunately, I do" her voice was quiet as though she was afraid of the world to hear her, accusing her own mother of something so heinous made Rory feel sick to the stomach and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment to stop the room from spinning around her. "I've been going over this in my head since that night in the jail, I wanted to confront Mum about it before I told anyone else but with what happened to Nana I never got a chance but the more I think about the more plausible it seems" she explained "Like what if this isn't new but started back then, it could explain why the families fell out so badly, why Caroline went from being Mum's best friend to looking like she's mentally trying to kill mum anytime she sees us and why Robert has always been so easy on us".

For the first time in weeks Rory felt an almost sense of relief to have shared this information with someone as it allowed the thought to stop spinning around in her head so violently. In saying that, she still hoped for it to be false and she couldn't deny the anger and hurt she was feeling towards her mother should this information turn out to be true but at least she wasn't burdened with this alone anymore. "What do we do with this information?" she asked him "I seriously doubt Mum would tell us the truth but Tony I need to know"

****
Int;-

Misty Gray - Tony

 

[Misty Gray]

Finley Residence
- Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert gazed at his brother as the man said what happened to Charles was never his fault. Most of his kids having gone out of their way not to be like him or at least not admitting to appreciating his lessons suggested it didn't matter what he did, he couldn't blame himself for how they'd turned out. Yet he still couldn't help but take the blame for Charles wanting to follow his footsteps and striving to honour the family business eventually getting him killed. Alfie had already made clear he wanted to do things differently. Diana was happy to stay in London, over a hundred miles away from the family. Felicity was now the closest to replicating his ways, but Robert couldn't help but push her away and discourage it, perhaps subconsciously on account of how Charles had been. Robert couldn't help but wonder if Charles would have turned out differently had he never returned from the war to inspire him. Or was he always going to become the same man he had been?

What was set in stone was reality and the fact Charles was the man he was, with no way of changing that fact now. Robert studied his wingman as he posed the question of why Marco had to use a knife. He went on to paint a picture of Marco being desperate, alluding to the self-defence explanation. Since his teens, Charles had always been the tallest of the family. That, along with with the physical strength he'd built over the years, meant his commanding presence wasn't merely formed from his domineering personality. Charles refused a bodyguard out a reasonable confidence in his own strength, so it stood to reason that Marco wouldn't have stood a chance in a fist fight. Hell, Robert himself had easily thrown the Fletcher lad to the ground, and he wasn't built as strong as Charles had been.

"I understand. Marco wouldn't have been able to fight him off," he admitted. Still processing everything, Robert was a little surprised when Richard approached and pulled him into a firm embrace. Reciprocating, Robert couldn't help but wrap his arms around him in return. It was a rare sight for anyone to see Robert cry, including Caroline and Richard, so the fact he was now made it clear how in need of a release he had been. Many things had been building up recently, with finally getting answers about Charles being the catalyst for him to stop holding back.

Robert didn't say anything until they both stepped back from the brotherly hug. "Richard, I'm exhausted," he told him. Although he didn't mean he was physically tired, he still made a move to returned to sit on the sofa in the lounge, at least figuring Richard needed to rest his leg. Having left the frozen veg bag on the counter, Robert covered his grazed arm with his shirt sleeve again.

"The business, even with the gala attack and Russo, I can handle that. If anything, I appreciate the distraction," he admitted. "But losing Charles, and nearly blowing it with Caroline... Then Rory getting shot affected me more than it should have, to the point it's getting harder to pretend she isn't important to me. There's no balance between keeping everyone close whilst also safe and happy." He then idly pointed towards Richard. "Then here I came, throwing my weight around here, almost pushing you away and sucking the joy out of your situation. I should have been more optimistic, more positive, about your accomplishment in getting the Mayor gig," he reasoned.

ReverseTex (Richard)

 

[Misty Gray]

Gatsby's Restaurant
- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Caroline Walker​

"Watch your language!" Caroline berated Jackie in a lowered voice. She wasn't averse to swearing herself, but not in a public restaurant and around the dining table. "You're not the only person having to work hard and get your hands dirty, so don't pull that with me. I'm not oblivious to Robert's business and who pulls their weight," she firmly told him. "When you showed up to the family meal we had here, in memory of Charles's birthday, I was made aware you weren't sober. Then another time, you took Thomas to Tony Fletcher's pub and could have had my son dragged into a brawl. You enjoy getting into a scrap, and quite often you're out of your tree on drugs or whatever it is. I'm not saying this to be harsh, but you clearly need to be told up front," she said, her voice momentarily softening. "Vinny had earned Robert's trust over the years, as his bodyguard and as someone who will take on duties even I'm not permitted to be made aware of. So tell me, why would my husband put his life in your hands if you can't show up to social and business meetings without being on something?"

Caroline massaged her temples, feeling a migraine coming on from the conversation. "This is Henry all over again. Just because I care about you and listen to you more than Robert does, it doesn't mean I can snap my fingers and make him hand it all to you on a plate. I love you, Jackie, but you're not discreet and you're rarely completely sober. Vinny does what he does because he knows how to stay quiet and blend into the background to do his job protecting Robert. Now, I'm certain Richard would agree with me, and he'd tell you to get your wits about yourself so you can earn your place. As for Thomas, well he's not aware of everything to make that kind of observation."

Caroline let out a sigh. "I'm not your only chance, Jackie. This is on you. Get clean, get your head on straight, and prove you can be professional. Robert won't change his mind because I ask him to, he'll change his mind if he sees something in you. Let me tell you something. If Alfie behaved the way you have been, Robert wouldn't have him stepping into Charles's shoes right now. Eldest surviving son or not, my husband's mind doesn't work like that. Blood doesn't mean your entitled to your uncle's approval. Hard work does."

Caroline let out a sigh, finally getting her thoughts off her chest. After a long drink of wine, she placed the glass back down on the table. "That's where we are, love. If I really am your favourite aunt, you'll respect what I'm saying."

purplecowdutch (Jackie)

 

[ReverseTex]

Finley Residence
Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham
Misty Gray

Dr. Richard Finley
​

Richard held Robert as long as he needed. He knew that his brother got to this point, crying in his arms, this had been a long time coming. And he knew how rare this was for him, so he was determined to be the rock Robert needed. Once the embrace broke, he could see the pure exhaustion written on his face. Followed by the actual statement, he nodded. Without a second thought, he followed Robert into the lounge, drying his own eyes. “You have every right to be.” He simply put, before sitting down in his armchair.

He was silently grateful to be sitting, the whole ordeal wore on his leg a bit. As Robert continued on, he squeezed his thigh a bit to loosen the muscles. He could feel the dimple from the bullet wound, but his lower leg was certainly more mangled from the war-time plane crash. “Robert, you’ve been going practically non-stop for thirty years. Of course you’re bloody exhausted. I’m exhausted and I haven’t done half of what you have!”

When Robert raised his finger, he half-expected a chastising. But, he quickly realized it was a compliment. “You know better than anyone I would’ve been equally content teaching for the rest of my days. But thank you, your support means a great deal.” He leaned back in his chair. “It just felt like the right thing to do. If I hate it, I can give up the seat after Gerald’s term technically ends. Beauty of the special election. But right now, Birmingham needs all the help she can get. And I think I’m finally wise enough to really make a difference.”

Even though he didn’t say it, it was implied that part of the issue was the family feud. He knew back in the day, before Caroline and Diana wanted to tear each other to shreds over Robert, the city was certainly more peaceful. The Jones situation was few and far between, and really the only trouble was competing criminal interests.

“I think it’s time we all get in a room and iron this out once you and Carol get back from holiday.” Richard stated. “Repairing your marriage needs to be your top priority. Alfie’s got the business under control, and I’ll keep my eyes on Tony. In fact, Tony’s been of great help. Good lad.” He nodded, before he caught himself digressing. “Either way, I think it’s important we get Tony and Alfie in a room. Let the next generation bury the hatchet. Then we can deal with this Russo threat.”

 

[purplecowdutch]

Jackie Walker - gatsby's restaurant caroline walker - neverbackdown


When she scolded him, Jackie kept his mouth tightly shut. She was obviously fed up with him and reminicisced about Charles' birthday. Jackie shook his head to show that he disagreed but didn't have the guts to interrupt her.

When his father died, he felt the connection between and his cousins fade away. When he went to prison, the only one to write him was Charles. It was like they were glad he was finally gone.
Jackie felt a sting when she mentioned his father again and an even worse one when she mentioned Vinny. Earned his trust? They were family, trust was sort of inherited with being born.

Caroline rambled on about how Richard would agree with her while Jackie just thought about how he bet on the wrong horse. His blood was boiling, even though Caroline just advised him to go clean. Sober. Earn his trust, all he wanted to do was take a big bump of whatever he still had left.

She ended it by repeating him, drinking her glass of wine. Jackie was holding his glass tightly, he was lucky it didn't break.
'Aunt Caroline,' he started, keeping his long-build frustration together and behind closed doors for as long as this dinner would last. 'It's fine,' he looked her straight in her eyes. It was a long time ago, him and Caroline had actually talked. She got caught up in her busy life, her fancy life without him. He was a part of Henry's history and that's a part they'd rather forgot. 'They shot my father and it's fine,' he added, more silently but obviously very angry.

He shook his head again, feeling a lot more restless than he did before this whole conversation happened. 'You have to guarantee me a position before I get sober,' Jackie said, sounding like he had a deathwish on his mind. 'And if you don't, I'll talk to Robert,' he finished his sentence and wiped a bit of residue of his nose. That courage didn't come from nowhere.
'I can't believe you're not sticking up for me, I got no one left and there's no reason for me to get sober because Robert will never, ever give me an oppurtinity,' he spoke, 'that's the reality.'

He automatically waved the nice looking waitress who walked by, probably wanting to avoid their table by any means. 'Another bottle of wine,' Jackie called out a bit louder so she could not ignore it. 'So, beautiful Italian women,' he continued, like nothing happened. Jackie made up his mind, he would talk to Robert man to man. His aunt was a pawn in his game, just like Richard and everybody else who was against Jackie.

 

[Misty Gray]

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Tony Fletcher​

Tony had made a mental note to consider Rory's maturing aspirations for her part in the family business. He knew that was a serious conversation that would need a lot of consideration, but in that moment, it was the speculation about Dorothy that had to take centre stage.

Rory seemed dead set on believing their mother was having an affair with Robert, which made it even harder for Tony to let the subject drop. The idea had already been planted in his head now. Even worse, Rory questioned if the affair could have been going on for a long time, as far back as when the two families first fell out and the bitter feud was written. "I don't know what to do," Tony admitted when his sister questioned what they would do with their suspicions.

"We can't confront Mum about this with everything she has going on with Gran," he asserted. He ran his hand through his hair as he went on to piece together other details that had been noticed recently. "Not only that, Mum had already been considering getting away from Birmingham and all of the fighting, especially since the gala shite. She never wanted to get so caught up in all of this business Dad started. I don't want to burden her with these suspicions in case we're wrong and it offends her or upsets her more than she already is." Chewing his lip, he slowly shook his head as another realisation came to him. "Ah shit," he grumbled. "A few weeks back I checked in with security and they said Caroline had visited Mum. When I asked her what it was about, she told me to mind my own business, saying not everything involves me. But maybe that's linked too, like to how Mum was suddenly more keen on getting out of Birmingham. Maybe they had another falling out or Caroline was threatening her or something..." he went on.

"We can't ask Mum if it's true, but I need to know too," he told her. "Which means we'd have to ask Robert himself," he spoke slowly, the cogs turning in his mind. "We could go to him with the mindset we have no doubt it's true. Maybe even lie that Mum already admitted it to try catch him out," he considered. "Maybe we could try have Richard involved. He's a reasonable bloke who might help stop Robert from kicking off at us for throwing accusations at him."

neverbackdown (Rory)