Without A Trace

Sixty-One.

"This is it," Anna says. "Welcome to our new home and business," She says taking a puff of her cigarette getting out of the car.

I walk up to the black house with huge windows, "Very modern. And its very quiet here," I say opening the door carrying my bags inside followed by Ivy and Anna.

"Well I figured quiet would be best compared to everything else going on," she says closing the doors behind us. We break off into our perspective rooms and start unpacking and rearranging furniture. After a few hours of getting settled in I take my briefcase and walk towards my new office.

The matte black built-in cabinets and gold fixtures is very pleasing to the eye. I walk behind my big oak desk and take a seat before setting my briefcase on top of the desk and pulling papers out of it.

The girls come in and take a seat in each of the leather colored chairs in front of my desk, "Where did you even find a place like this?" Ivy sets a glass of whiskey down in front of me before leaning back in her chair.

Anna shrugs her shoulders, "I have my ways," she says without going into much more detail before taking a sip out of her glass.

"So, with the business being separated now I'm thinking of rebranding our portion of the business. And even if things get better I will only consider partnering with Thomas. I don't want to be known for The Shelby Company, and I know neither of you want to be either," I say before lighting a cigarette. I take a long puff off of it and pull it away from my lips, exhaling slowly while leaning back in my chair.

"Did you have anything in mind?" Ivy asks while crossing one leg over the other.

"Without A Trace Enterprises," I say rolling my lit cigarette between my finger and thumb, "Our business will be the biggest in Birmingham and London for the import and export of drugs and Alcohol to the other groups throughout Small Heath, all the way to Stratford."

"An awful tall order don't you think? You really think we can do that?" Ivy asks quizzically.

"I don't think we can Ivy. I know we can. I know you will struggle with Michael, but I know when it comes down to it what side you're on," I say meeting her eyes. "Anyways, that includes the import and exports to Thomas's businesses. I know one particular person who would be more than willing to help us get to the top. Anything to beat Tommy at his own game."

Anna rubs her temples, "You mean we have to bring Alfie into this situation now?" She asks with a sigh, "He is truly irritating Cora I don't understand how you have a conversation with someone so intelligent but yet so stupid at the same time."

"Easy, you will do it," I say with a smile to my dear sister in law. "You will be in charge of the alcohol trades, Ivy," I say turning my attention to her, "You will be in charge of the cocaine trades," I say taking a puff off my cigarette.

Ivy and Anna stare blankly at me, "You want us to be in charge? Like oversee everything?"

"Sorry, did I not make it clear enough?" I ask genuinely. I lean forward in the desk over top of my arms, "The two of you will have your own crew members and you will each be in charge of them and the trade exchanges that happen. At the end of the day, we will meet in this office and we will crunch numbers and discuss everything going on between the business. If either of you need assistance, I will be there to lend a helping hand. But I can't run a business alone. Leave me with the legalities and the paperwork and the big meetings, you two will be the main bosses of the company." I say glancing between the two of them. I slide a formal agreement towards them and take a pen and set it gently on top of the paper, "Questions?" I ask.

Ivy blinks a few times, "You think I'm fit enough to to be a fuckin boss?" She asks while slowly picking up the pen and starts signing her name in the designated spot before sliding it over to Anna.

"I expect you to set an example to Pippin and show her she doesn't squavel to a man in power. Because a woman in power is a force to be reckoned with," I say taking a puff off my cigarette. "Anna, your warehouses will be down by the cut. Ivy, yours will be just across the way over by Charlies yard. That way the two of you can be able to have meetings amongst the two of you if needed without being so far apart."

"We're gonna need to put a safe in the basement," Anna says lighting a cigarette. She takes a puff off it and lets it hang from her mouth while she signs her designated spot before sliding it back to me. I stamp it with a notary stamp and slide it into the file cabinet to my left. I turn back around and take a seat back in my chair.

"We're going to need lot's of things, but dont worry. It'll happen," I say taking a swig out of my glass. "Tommys friends like Johnny and Danny are loyal to him, but are also loyal to me. They will help if we need it and we will have Alfie and his whole gang as well. I expect the two of you to walk like you own someones fuckin life the next time you leave this house," I say standing up.

"We better get to bed ladies, early start tomorrow morning as business partners," I say before walking out of the room leaving Ivy and Anna stunned, speechless, and stuck in their own thoughts.