Apologies for lack of updates, my bipolar has sent me into a bit of a downward spiral; but I am doing my best to get out of it. I hope you enjoy this.

"Ya tha professor.............? But ya a woman................"

"Well done Mister Solomons. Tell me, what gave it away..........." The woman countered with a chuckle, as she made her way over to the large desk and took a seat.

"Please gentlemen, take a seat. Perhaps you would like a drink?" The professor continued, pressing a button on the fine leather and oak desktop. The butler that had told Alfie and Tommy that she was ready to see them, making his way back into the room.

"Ma'am................."

"Yes Henry. Could you bring us three glasses of cognac; I am sure that Mister Solomons and Shelby must be a little dry after their long journey north. And as William has a tendency of taking the worst road from the train station, they are probably a little dusty too. And make sure that it's the best, not the one we normally save for the commissioner of the police.............." The woman replied. Her butler bowing before leaving the room.

"Now gentlemen, I think that we should really introduce ourselves. And perhaps it is best if I go first........." The professor continued, as she sat back in her chair.

"Those that fear me, work for me, call me the Professor. Those that I need to be friendly with, I allow to call me Miss (Y/l/n). And those I like and trust, I permit to call me (Y/n). You most definitely do not fall into that last category and given that you have both tried to dip your toes in my pond seemingly without my knowledge, I doubt that you ever will be. I control everything north of Birmingham to the Scottish borders; from one side of the country to the other, and my reach even extends to Ireland, the continent and America. And I will let you know here and now; I do not intend to lose any of my power to either of you. I have worked long and hard to get where I am, and no one is going to take it from me..............." (Y/n) explained, a sweet smile never leaving her lips as she spoke. The lady only stopping as the knock came to the door of the room; Tommy and Alfie looking at one another as the butler appeared once again, this time with a silver tray and three rather heavy looking cut-glass snifters, filled with dark brown liquor. The older man bowing once more, before again leaving the meeting.

"Now, where was I............oh yes, introductions.............." The professor continued, as she looked at Alfie.

"Alfred 'Alfie' Solomons Junior, born in 1888, and you reside in Camden Town, London. Your mother was a was a Russian refugee who fled the persecution of the Jews. You served as a captain during the Great War, and it would appear that you are still fighting the good fight in your war against the Italians; in particular, a man by the name of Darby Sabini, with whom you went to school. Most of your income comes from the rackets you have at racetracks, as well as the bakery which is a front for your rum distillery. You also have a jeweling business and run protection rackets in your hometown. For me, Mister Solomons, you are an intelligent man that could do so much more with his talents yet has fallen short. A violent, unpredictable and untrustworthy creature, that would sell anyone down the river, if the price was right. Certainly not the kind of man that I would eagerly do business with. Isn't that right..........Mister Shelby...............?" (Y/n) enquired, as she turned her attention from a very disgruntled looking Alfie, who certainly didn't like being told about himself by the woman across from him, to Tommy. His steely eyes staring at her, as both of them took a drink of the cognac.

"Thomas 'Tommy' Michael Shelby. Born 1890, you reside in Small Heath, Birmingham. Younger brother of Arthur Shelby Junior, older brother of John, Finn and Ada. You were a sapper during the war, with the 179th Tunnelling Company. You served with distinction, receiving not only the Military Medal, but also the Distinguished Conduct Medal; both of which you threw into a canal, I believe, on your return from the war. In your own way, you are as much an outcast in society, as Mister Solomons, he the Jew, and you...........your gypsy heritage. The Shelby Company Limited though, has its fingers in many pies, and is said to be making over 100 pounds every day, on average. You have raised your family from nothing to a position where your firm is a true enterprise. You are calm, ruthless, fearless and apparently quite impossible to intimidate. I have even been informed that you once said of yourself, that it's not a good idea to look at you the wrong way. Though I do find that even the most formidable man, still has a weakness. All that said, and despite my liking the fact that you are truly loyal to your family; my want to do business with you is the same as Mister Solomon............not at all. But that said, meeting you both in person could change my mind. Admittedly, neither of you have anything I want or need, but it isn't necessarily the wisest decision to say no before I have had chance to judge you properly." She said, before finishing her drink and once again pressing the bell on top of her desk.

"I am having a little get together tomorrow night, and I would like you to attend. Its nothing much, just the police commissioner, a couple of judges, members of parliament, that kind of thing. Black tie of course, and I will send a driver to your hotel for you, at seven. It will give me a chance to see how you both are in real life." The professor added, before a knock on the door rang out, and she bid the visitor enter.

"Ah, Henry.......We are finished here, could you have William drive these gentlemen to their hotel............." She told the butler, as she got to her feet, holding out her hand for Tommy then Alfie to take. Both men finding themselves quite taken aback by the woman; not even Alfie having been able to get a word in edgeways. Neither sure how she had been able to find out so much about them.

"Well gentlemen............until tomorrow evening................."