Adopted By Polly Gray

Chapter 22: Tommy and Campbell

Tommy set out on a mission of his own after sending all the men on their way. He was going to face the man who has caused his family constant pain since the day he arrived, Campbell. First, Polly lost her children to the coppers, soon after that death took his mother away, then his father ran off, all followed up some short time after to the war calling him and his brothers away. The family had been split up to no end for years now and when he and his brothers returned from the war, Tommy thought this all would come to an end, but instead his cousin was taken by a mad man. Polly had always put the family above everything else in her life. She stepped up to take in the kids after her brother abandoned his children. She could've turned them away, especially since she had a new baby of her own to care for that she had taken in from her deceased friend, but instead she welcomed them all into her home. His aunt had suffered enough through her life and didn't deserve any of what she had gone through. Tommy planned to make things right. Starlene mattered to everyone in the family, she was their light and their joy. She kept everyone going and took on so much which she didn't have to do at her young age, but she did. Starlene kept everyone sane and grounded. There was so much innocence to her and that was refreshing to have in a life full of corruption. This life eventually ruins everyone, but Starlene hadn't been hit with the harshness of it all. The family all tried to keep her and Finn from it, allowing them to stay children. It wasn't easy but they tried. Now, the life of having a family of gang members has caught up with the young girl. None of this was right and Tommy was determined to fix it.

As he made his way down the busy streets, he spotted Campbell with his men on patrol. This was his chance to finally get some answers.

"Inspector Campbell." He called out over the noises of people.

Campbell took a puff of his pipe before looking up to see the head Shelby heading straight for him.

"Aye, Mr. Shelby. What can I do for ya?"

The few men around Campbell stopped what they were doing and watched the gangster approach ready to step in if needed.

"I wanted to speak to you, privately, if you have a moment. I'm sure your men here can handle being on their own for a brief minute." Tommy stopped in front of the inspector and began to go for one of his cigarettes.

Campbell cleared his throat, "I can pull myself away for a moment. Lead the way, Shelby."

The two men walked away and started to wander around.

"So, what do I owe the pleasure of having you grace me today?" Campbell asked as he took another puff off his pipe.

"I want answers Campbell. I'm a patient man, a reasonable man, but when it comes to family all those qualities I have can be tested. So, tell me, what do you know about Jones and that man who gave you the files on Sallyanna and Starlene?"

"Always cutting to the chase with you Shelby's, isn't it? It's like you all have forgotten what it's like to engage with a natural conversation."

Tommy took a deep inhale to keep his composure, "Unfortunately for us, we don't have the luxury of being able to enjoy the simplicity of conversations Mr. Campbell, especially when a member of our family has been taken and is in danger. So forgive me for being rushed in our conversation but I want answers and you're the man who currently has them. Now, once again I'll ask you, what do you know about Jones and the man who had the files for Sallyanna and Starlene?"

Campbell took another puff off of his pipe as the two men kept walking around Birmingham, "I know a few things about both men, but as for the files, I had no doing with those. Cooper, the man that was with me and your aunt yesterday, had them with him. He came to my office with a proposal and I accepted."