Without A Trace

Fourty-Five.

A four days have gone by since the night of Epsom. Business has been going as usual since I blocked off the major meetings and business deals, but the girls and I are busier than ever the last few days trying to cover up our tracks. I stand in the office of the betting room and stare out the window. One of my arms is crossed over my stomach as my free hand brings my cigarette up to my lips so I can take a long drag off of it. I stare at the warehouse across the street and watch Thomas and Lewis make their way out of the building with a man.

Lewis reaches over and shakes the mans hand before sticking his hands in his pockets. I roll my eyes and turn back around and jump slightly at Michael standing in the doorway.

"Jesus fucking Christ," I say putting my hand on my chest and taking a seat behind my desk. "What is it?"

"Ivys fuckin exhausted Cora, she needs a break," he says taking a seat across from me. I look at the chair and back at him before crossing my leg over the other.

"And you dont think me and Anna aren't fuckin exhausted? Let me remind you Michael, its half the shit you do with your fuckin brothers is what is making your wife fuckin tired," I say before taking another hit off the cigarette. I get up and make my way to the door, "We dont get to fuckin rest when theres shit to be pinned on other people Michael. You know how this fuckin family works so quit acting like you dont or that your fuckin surprised," I say before walking out of the room and down the hallway.

Michael stares at the doorway angrily before turning his head back to the top of my desk. He huffs with annoyance before getting up and going back to his desk to take care of his duties.

I make my way to the girls through the livingroom and I grab Johns ankles from the coffee table and toss them on the floor, "John this is a fuckin house, not a barn. Keep your fuckin feet off my furniture before I cut em off," I say walking past him and out of the livingroom towards the girls outside.

Anna turns around from talking with Ivy and Pippin, she takes the cigarette out of her mouth, "Whats the rush for Cora?"

I breeze right past them and take a glass off the patio table and pour some whiskey in it before bringing it to my lips and taking a drink. "Hope you girls are ready because Lewis gave me the signal theres another drop tonight," I say sitting on the chair and rubbing my temple soflty.

"This is the sixth drop in two fuckin days, this is getting out of hand Cora," Anna says sitting down with Ivy. "You better go talk to Thomas about it."

"I know alright? I fuckin know. I will talk to him and tell him this is the last one for today and we aren't fuckin doing one tomorrow," I sigh into my hand and rest my head on it watching Pippin play with her dolls in the yard. The sun beaming off her beautiful dirty blonde hair.

After a few moments and right on schedule it seems like, Thomas and Lewis make their way out of the house and over to us outside. Thomas takes off his cap with his jacket and tosses them on the table before making his way over to me.

"I have another drop for you," Thomas says handing me a few papers.

"Yeah I know. Thats all you fuckin have for me the last few days," I say snatching it out of his hand and flipping through them. Thomas sighs and pours himself a glass before leaning against the stone outdoor fireplace.

Lewis furrows his brow and turns his gaze from me back to his wife. Anna stands there nervously picking her fingers and meets her husbands gaze before looking back over to me.

"We're not fuckin doing this today Cora," Thomas says authoritatively before lighting a cigarette. I glance over to Ivy who taps Pippin slightly towards the house. Pip follows her mothers unspoken orders without hesitation.