CHAPTER TWO:
"What do you mean 'Celia's in trouble again'?" Speed asked, "Matilda, what's she talking about?"
Matilda sighed and glared at Kathie. "Don't shoot the messenger." Was all she said. Matilda pulled Speed aside. "A year after Charlie died, Celia started acting out. At first it was just little things not doing her homework, back talking a little bit, flicking erasers at boys. But this year it's gotten worse. She's been suspended three times." Matilda whispered, "And you didn't think to call me?" Speed whispered back in anger. "What the bloody hell would you have done? Spanked her through the phone?" Matilda retorted. She walked back to her desk and started packing up. "Mary says she needs you go down there and pick her up." Kathie explained getting Matilda's coat. "Did she say what Celia was in trouble for?" Matilda asked putting it on. "She was in a fight." Kathie answered. "Bloody hell." Matilda mumbled. She grabbed her bag and told Kathie she would see her at home later and left with Horatio and the team in tow. "I'm coming with you!" Speed bellowed from behind her. "Like I would expect anything less from you." Matilda said.
Celia's school was three blocks from Matilda's job. It was the same school Matilda went to. The school hadn't changed much since Matilda was there. Matilda trudged up the steps with the team still following closely behind her. Her heeled boots clicked with her fast steps. She entered the office to find the same school secretary was still working there. "Mrs. Wilkins?" Matilda asked, timidly. A graying woman with a thick glasses but a kind face was sitting behind the desk. "Yes, who are you my dear?" she asked, "It's me, Matilda Gordon. Remember I used to come here quite often." Matilda answered. Mrs. Wilkins squinted through her glasses to get a better a look. An expression of recognization dawned upon her face. She stood up from her chair and came around the desk to hug Matilda. "Oh my dear! You look as beautiful as you did back in the day!" Mrs. Wilkins praised. "Oh thank you! You look very well yourself." Matilda said back. "I take it you're here for Celia."
"Yes I am."
Mrs. Wilkins noticed the team behind Matilda. "Who are they?" she asked, "These are my friends from Miami. The scruffy man with the permanent slight scowl on his face is Celia's godfather, Timothy Speedle." Matilda explained. Mrs. Wilkins greeted them all and told them the headmistress Ms. Salem would be out in a few minutes. "She's still not married?" Matilda asked, "I don't know why I'm acting so bloody surprised, she's not exactly likeable. Where's Celia?"
"She's in the nurse's office. She got the rough end of the fight."
"So why is she being punished?" Tim asked,
"Because Celia was the only one at the scene." Mrs. Wilkins answered. "She's been punishing Celia and her friends for little things. I'm sorry to tell you this and leave but I have to go make copies. It was nice seeing you again Matilda." And Mrs. Wilkins left.
Matilda sat down on one of the chairs outside of Ms. Salem's office. She put her head in her hands. She felt someone sit next to her and starting stroking her back. "She's being punished because of me." Matilda said, Speed put his arm around and pulled her in close, "If I had been a better kid then this wouldn't be happening. Celia would be considered a victim not a suspect!"
"Don't blame yourself. She's a tight ass bitch with no life." Speed said. "What kind of trouble did you get into as a kid?" Horatio asked, "The kind of stuff that got me cloakroom duty, a suspension, and forcing to help out for a school play and a lot of bad marks." Matilda said. "She was a regular rebel without a cause." Speed teased, "Shut up." Matilda exclaimed. Speed chuckled and ruffled her hair. They started play slapping each other while everyone watched in amusement. Speed and Matilda were caught up in their game that they didn't notice Ms. Salem had stepped out of her office. "Ahem." She said to make her presence known. Speed and Matilda stopped what they were doing and looked up. Ms. Salem was a very thin woman with a very stern face. Her skirt was always to her knees and had no wrinkles or stains. Her blouse was always crisp and white. Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun and there was never a hair out of place. Matilda stood up quickly. "Ms. Salem." Matilda greeted straightening her clothes out. "Ms. Gordon, you haven't changed much." She said eyeing Matilda's outfit with a slight sneer. Calleigh and Ryan had to hold Alexx back from slapping her. "Please step into my office." She said walking in. Matilda grabbed Speed and pulled him in with her. Before Matilda could close the door, Alexx pushed her way in. "Please have a seat." Ms. Salem gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. Speed, Alexx, and Matilda sat down. "I don't know the reasons for the fight but this is the fifth time this month that Celia has broken school rules." Ms. Salem began, "Even though she was the one that got rough end of it." Alexx interrupted. Ms. Salem ignored her and continued, "When I asked, she claimed to have been ambushed by two other students. I asked those students and they denied it." Ms. Salem explained, "So you let them go? My niece is in the nurse's office with probably a black eye and you believe the offenders?" Matilda said. "Ms. Gordon, your niece has broken many rules, so I'm inclined to believe them." Ms. Salem answered, "Besides ever since that brother of yours gallivanted off to war, she's been nothing but trouble."
Matilda stood up, her blood racing in anger. "Her father was killed three years ago because of a suicide bomber. He didn't go gallivanting off. He did what was expected of his duty and honor to his country; which is something you will never know or understand because you don't have it. You think know everything about me you don't know anything. You think you're brave but you are nothing but a coward who hides behind her desk as if it will protect you. So go ahead, say what you want of me, but don't you bloody dare trash my brother's name because you don't have the guts to face me. I was not a good kid I know that but that you gives no right to punish her because of it. So you better sit tight behind your barricade, because I am a firm believer in 'innocent until proven guilty.' I will find proof not only that you let two students get away Scot free from endangering another student but I will also find proof of where half fundraiser money goes."
Ms. Salem paled, "What? Didn't think I knew did you? If there's one thing that I have always been damn good at, it's observation. I'm an investigator whether it's history or crime. It's my job. So good day Ms. Salem." Matilda said and got up. Speed and Alexx followed her. Matilda was walking at a very brisk pace that everyone had to slightly jog to keep up. Matilda was too upset to slow down as she made her way to the Nurse's clinic.
"Is she going to be okay?" Calleigh asked Speed as they followed her, "Yeah, she's just a little mad." Speed answered not bothering to hide the proud tone in his voice.
Matilda entered the Nurse's clinic and headed straight for the cots despite the protests of the nurse's aid. Matilda found Celia sitting on a cot, holding a towel to her cut lip. Matilda rushed over and kneeled in front of her. Tears started rolling down Celia's cheeks as she looked at her aunt. She looked down at her lap for fear that Matilda was ashamed. Matilda lifted her head. "I'm not upset with you. I'm upset with Ms. Salem. Why don't you tell me what happened?" Matilda said wiping the tears away. Celia sighed, "I was in the hall talking to Annie when the two tarts of the school came up and started circling me. They said my father ran off to war because I embarrassed him and he didn't try to stop to the suicide bomber, he wanted to die because of the thought of coming home to me was too awful. When I tried to defend him they started hitting me." Celia explained. The tears were fat and rolling down rapidly. Matilda wrapped her arms around her niece and soothed her as Celia cried into her shoulder.
Everyone watched the interaction between the two. Eric felt his heart take another stab of guilt. Matilda was strong. Stronger than he was when Marisol died. "She took on a lot of responsibility when Charlie died. She helped Mary and the kids get through the grief. She even took the kids out for the day so Mary could get a break. She's taken days off to when one of the kids was sick because Mary had to work. She held Mary's hand at the funeral and took care of her when she couldn't get out of bed. Though she was hurting, she never showed it. Mary's a great mom don't get me wrong. Her children are her life and she's thankful for everything that Matilda has done." Speed told Eric, "But don't let the tough exterior confuse you. Matilda still hasn't healed all the way from Charlie's death. I only wish that some day, Matilda is repaid for her kindness." Eric nodded. He wished the same as well.
Celia pulled away from her aunt. "I hope you don't think I'm bad." Celia said sniffling. "Of course I don't. Neither does Speed." Matilda said pointing to him. Speed came over and hugged his goddaughter. "I missed you Speed." She said, "I missed you too kiddo." Speed replied kissing her forehead. "Are you ready to go?" Matilda asked Celia nodded getting up. "Can you take me to my mum's work?" Celia asked. Matilda smiled and said "Of course."