Without A Trace

Four.

The next morning I walk down the stairs rubbing my eyes and walk back into the kitchen. Polly is there sipping on her coffee before meeting my gaze and glancing back at her coffee, "Cora," She says shortly.

"Polly," I say back before pouring myself a cup of coffee.

Tommy and Michael make their way into the kitchen smoothing their vests out, Michael tucks in his pocket watch and sits down at the table. Lewis and Anna also make their appearances and take a seat at the table.

"Wheres Ivy?" Polly asks Michael.

He chuckles to himself before biting into an apple, "Recovering." The boys all chuckle with each other and Aurthur ruffles Michaels hair.

Polly rolls her eyes before putting out her cigarette. "Whats the plan for today Tom?" She says looking at him.

"The boys and I have a meeting down at the tea shop this afternoon. Aurthur and John are going to go down to the pub and help out there for most of the day and finish the log books, Pol you'll be here in the back keeping track of the bet money as usual," he says resting his hand on my shoulder.

"What about them," Polly says through her teeth looking at Anna and I. Ivy is probably included in that stare if I had to bet money on it.

"Attending the meeting with us. Get over yourself Polly," Tommy says before checking the time and looking back at her, "You're late, get back there," he orders her. She glares at him and makes her way to the back.

"Well while we wait for miss Ivy, anyone want a smoke?" I say holding out my pack and everyone takes one. "Michael you got Pip off to school yeah?" I ask him before lighting mine.

"I did. I'm a lot more competent than you think," he says checking the time.

"Questionable," Lewis says leaning against the door.

Finally Ivy makes her way into the diningroom and looks at us, "The fuck you all sitting around for? We got a bloody meeting in a half hour lets get at it," She says clipping in her earrings.

"Oh piss off you bitch," I say throwing a biscuit at her getting up from the table.

"Fuck Off Ivy," Anna laughs taking the cigarette out of her mouth walking outside with the rest of us.

Tommy opens the door for the car for us and helps us all in before the boys get in. Lewis drives into town towards the tea shop.

"Who's fuckin idea was it to have it at the tea shop? Nothin but bloody prisses in there," I say clasping my watch.

"The Inspector," Michael says nonchalantly while chewing on a toothpick. Ivy sighs cringing at his name. Lewis pulls up and parks getting out and opening the doors. He takes Annas had and goes inside behind the rest of us.

The tea shop has quite a few people in there surprisingly. We take a seat at our table across from the inspector. He greets all of us before settling his eyes on Tommy.

"Cut the shit and get the extra witnesses out of here," I interject, putting out my cigarette before Tommy can say anything. The inspector waves everyone out besides two men who stand behind him.

Michael chuckles to himself before shaking his head, Ivy grips his hand softly to make him shut up.

"You got yourself a fiesty one there Thomas," Inspector Campbell says leaning back in his chair.

"You don't even know," Tommy says before taking a drag from his cigarette.

"Whats this meeting for anyways? Better get it going because you're wasting my time," Lewis says taking a drink of his old fashioned.

Campbell clears his throat, "Well if you must know, Mr. Kimber has come to me claiming you stole some substances from him." He says looking at Tommy.

Tommy smirks putting his cigarette down, "You got anything against us Campbell?"

"I know you were all there at the races. I know Michael was shot. Because it was from one of my men," Campbell smirks. The guy to campbells left chuckles to himself while watching Tommy, waiting for an expression.

Tommy raises his eyebrow's slightly, "Am I laughing?" He asks coldly. The man quickly shuts up.

"Inspector if you dont mind, this is wasting all of our fuckin time. I have places to be and shit to do and its not sitting at this piss poor excuse of a meeting," Ivy says blowing the smoke out of her mouth into the inspector's direction.

"Control your fuckin woman Shelby," the man to the right seethes.

Michael raises his eyes and meets his gaze.

I giggle as Thomas hits my leg softly, "Sorry, you fuckin did it now you ligger," I say flicking my ashes into the ash tray.

"Well if thats the game you want to play," Michael says looking at the man to the right. "Hows bout me and you go outside since you want to disrespect my wife."

"Now Michael, it wont happen again I assure you," The inspector chimes in.

"You're fuckin right it wont happen again," Michael warns.

"Remember Michael, I know which class your daughter is in," The inspector warns. All of our expressions grow cold. Lewis looks at him and then back at us.

Ivy slowly gets up out of her chair and leans over the table, nose to nose with the inspector, "You touch my fuckin daughter and I swear to god. I'll kill your whole fuckin family and make you watch before I slit your patheic throat," she spits at him before throwing her drink in his face and walking outside.

"Well inspector, I believe this meeting is over," Tommy says before getting up from the table, "I suggest you never make a fuckin comment like that ever again. Its in your best interest," He says as the rest of us walk out of the tea shop.

"Is that a threat Mr. Shelby?" He asks Tommy.

Tommy turns around and gives him a slight smile, "A strong suggestion," he says before walking out of the tea shop. Ivy is ages down the road fuming with Michael hot on her tracks.

"Ivy love come on now. Where the hell are you going?" He asks catching up to her.

"To make sure our daughter is safe Michael what the fuck kind of question is that?" She says storming down the road.

"Ivy get in the car its a long walk," Michael says grabbing her hand.

"Michael you fuckin touch me again and I swear on everything thats holy it will be the last time you touch me," Ivy says yanking her hand away.

"Damn it Ivy GET IN THE CAR," He yells to her causing her to jump slightly. She reluctantly gets into the car and Lewis drives down to the school where Pippin is.

Ivy scrambles out and dashes up the front steps into the office, "Wheres Pippin?" She asks the secretary.

"In class Mrs. Shelby, I assure you," she says swallowing the lump in her throat.

"I'm taking her home," Ivy says walking out and towards the classroom. Her heart immediately settles seeing Pippin in the classroom. Michael wraps his hand around her waist and opens the door to the classroom. Ivy walks in and Pippin runs over to her excitedly. "Come along Pip, we're going home lovey," she says stroking her daughters hair. Pippin goes and grabs her bag before holding onto her moms hand and walking out of the classroom.

"Whats wrong Mama?" Pippin asks her mother looking up at her.

"Nothing love, Mama just missed you extra today," she says smiling at her before walking out of the school.