37. Nolan O'Leary

Tristan couldn't put his finger on it but something was not right. He couldn't see what it was. As he watched Vincenzo and his uncle shake hands it felt like he was watching a death match.  Vincenzo's eyes were dead cold towards his uncle. What had his uncle done to warrant that? Was it just the Irish versus Italian rivalry or much more?

His uncle Jackson even offered Vincenzo to have a drink with him beforehand which he didn't offer many people but of course Vincenzo refused that outright coldly. He just told Tristan to lead the way to see the car with an edge to his voice that said he wasn't patient.

Tristan lead Vincenzo silently towards the garage as he was trying to make sense of Vincenzo's actions. What was his true intentions? Some tension was there in the air. He couldn't figure it out even though he tried very hard. He opened the garage door and said "After you."

Vincenzo entered the room and walked to the car or rather what was left of the car. It was a wreckage. He stood watching Vincenzo while he was leaning to the wall.

Vincenzo walked around the car as he seemed deep in thought while brushing his hand against the body of the car.

Tristan sighed "What are you trying to achieve? I told you my mechanics examined this wreckage inside out. All the testing is done. There is nothing more to find."

Vincenzo stopped walking and turned to Tristan "Not true Tristan. There is always some concealed facts to find. You only say it is all over just because your people were in charge. You left them in charge and they examined the car. You are Irish. I am not and neither is my sister. So I suggest you quit defending the not so great job that your so called people have done in investigating this case or rather mess of a case now. This is all no thanks to all the half baked procedures you allowed your uncle to put in place while you went over to my house venting your anger on my family. Defend your mechanics one more time and I will be very angry Tristan." He then carried on walking around the car thoughtfully looking at the exterior.

Tristan was taken back by Vincenzo's anger and threats. "You are in my uncle's garage, not your father's." He then walked to the car and stood at the opposite side facing Vincenzo tapping his fingers on the roof of the car. "First rule. Don't tell an Irish what to do when you are standing on his land."

Vincenzo chuckled as he stopped walking and faced Tristan "Don't tell an Italian what to think. Do you think it is wise to defend your people especially when my sister was nearly killed in a car accident where your uncle made a mess of the whole procedures or lack of it."

Tristan said "What is your problem with my uncle? Come out with it. What did my uncle do?"

Vincenzo said "What he didn't do is my problem. I think your loyalty to the Irish is stopping you from seeing what's right in front of you."

Tristan said "Which is ..."

Vincenzo ignored his question and walked to the front of the car opening the bonnet "I don't have time to help you play detective now that all the evidence is tampered with. You can't see who is responsible and I can't help you. Because I have many priorities right now and none of it includes answering to you. I am the one asking the questions. You must be done with the case or so you say."

Tristan was getting tired of his insults. He walked to Vincenzo and put his hand on the opened bonnet "I trust the integrity of what my people do...."

Vincenzo laughed darkly "So do I" He then looked up into Tristan's eyes "But not when my baby sister nearly died. I only trust the integrity of what I do." He then started examining what was under the bonnet with great care and observation.

Tristan asked "What are you looking to find here?"

Vincenzo stated simply "Isn't it obvious? The culprits who were involved in nearly killing my sister are ones I need to find."

Tristan said "I think enough is enough Vincenzo. You are questioning integrity of the investigation and in a way accusing me of not doing my job properly."

Vincenzo looked up sharply "When did I imply that. If I questioned your integrity I would be pointing a gun in your face. I question your love and trust in your uncle who you left in charge while you ran raging at my family while my sister was admitted to hospital. I don't criticise you even. If Terza was hurt ... I would do the same but I won't leave a rather emotional man in charge of taking care of the integrity while I attended to terza. Your uncle is not the best man for a job like this to investigate a case of such Caliber."

Tristan defended "He is capable. He is competent ... He is loyal... He is not reckless."

Vincenzo said "Ah. The last one is an insult to hear. He is reckless. He still loves my aunt. Who does that? Loving a married woman who is an Agostini. He has a death wish. He is a man who has nothing to lose which is a strength. He takes risks which is his strength in business. He is reckless."

Tristan sighed and was about to argue but then the door opened and to his surprise he saw his younger brother at the door. Trent nodded at Vincenzo "You wont find anything there we haven't. You are just wasting time." and then looked at his brother "Can I have a word outside?"

Vincenzo glanced at Trent "Is that so? You do know that I hold your future in my hand. Keep your views to yourself when it's not welcome."

Tristan started walking to his brother and turned to Vincenzo "It's unnecessary to keep threatening my brother. Just because you can block Amethyst from contacting Trent as the Don's heir it doesn't mean you should. I could block you from seeing my sister." He knew that would get his full attention and he was not disappointed.

Vincenzo closed the car boot soundly and walked around the car "What did you just say?"

Tristan said "Oh. My sister has no choice but to give you up if I ask her to. You know that well."

Trent looked between his brother and Vincenzo. This was not good. He walked quickly to stand between the two and held his hands up "Stop. Amethyst and Clarisa are living in the 80s and not the 50s. They won't bend to you easily. But wait please. There is a big threat out there."

Vincenzo said bitterly as he was in Trent's personal space "You mean your uncle jack?"

Tristan frowned "Don't..."

Vincenzo said "I know your uncle inside out while you don't. Your uncle has a hand in this mess. Your father didn't educate you about your uncle Jackson to protect you from him and kept you away. My father didn't have to do that. I know your uncle's style. This plot has his name written all over it."

Trent said "No. Vincenzo. Stop."

Tristan walked past his brother and stood in front of Vincenzo "My uncle will never hurt Vienna. He has honour. You are wrong."

Vincenzo said "Just because he is your uncle you choose to ignore the signs? Really Tristan?"

Tristan said "I trust him. Where is your evidence?"

Vincenzo stared at Tristan silently. He didn't want to go further. He didn't need to. The thought of his uncle Jackson betraying him didn't cross his mind. Vincenzo didn't blame him. He had evidence. He didn't want to tell Tristan that. He could recognise the car design from Jackson O'Kane's engineering PhD thesis that he had read a hundred times. He could see similarities between the entire incident and the past plots by Jackson. Tristan didn't know his uncle that well or rather knew what he was taught. He didn't want to be the one to tell him. He preferred if he punished Jackson himself. He was going to make sure Jackson was going to fear leaving his secure fortress in Chicago. He was going to take revenge in his way and was going to bring justice to all those involved. He was going to go after Jackson last.

Vincenzo said "My word is evidence. My judgement says that your uncle must be punished severely."

Tristan said "Vincenzo. If you give me evidence I will hand over my uncle to you personally to do as you please with his life. But if you falsely accuse my uncle, you will be my enemy. He is my uncle."

Vincenzo knew the rules well. The O'Kanes were different. You didn't go after one of them unless you wanted to die. He said "I don't expect any less Tristan."

Trent shook his head "You have to stop this. This is madness. You are here arguing over a closed case when Vienna and Angelia are not even hurt. It's over. Close the case and go out there to solve the new problem at hand..."

Vincenzo turned to him "Of course I will solve the problem that is your uncle jack in my way."

Tristan said "I warned you Vincenzo. You can't do anything without evidence."

Vincenzo was about to reply but froze as he heard Trent say "Nolan O'Leary."

Tristan turned to him "What about him?"

Vincenzo said "He hasn't been around here recently. What has he done?"

Trent said "We have word he is on his way to the Rosario mansion. He is here to stay. He is here on business based on Viggo's invitation from a month ago but ... there is no Viggo or Francesco Rosario at the mansion yet because they are at the O'Reily head quarters trying to secure release of angelia's cousin. They are running late. There is only Vienna and Mrs Rosario with guards. It's best to be there."

Tristan balled his hands into fists and walked away murdering under his breath that he will kill Viggo. Vincenzo was baffled as he walked after Tristan who was followed by Trent also silently "Tristan. Relax. He won't do anything. His sister is at the Agostini boarding school in Milan. My uncle Arturo will murder Nelly if Nolan O'Leary touches my sister or my mother."

Tristan said "Viggo invited him. Your brother doesn't see it... He just doesn't. Nolan is a threat. A walking killing machine."

Vincenzo said "Of course. He doesn't see it that you get jealous of him because he is talking some sense into my sister to study law rather than medicine. He offered her a scholarship his father's firm awards only the very gifted..."

Tristan pressed the elevator button "That's just an excuse. He wants to get Vienna for himself."

Vincenzo entered the elevator "I agree. But unlike you I don't ask for proof when I see a problem. I find solutions to make sure he doesn't strike my family. I arranged for his sister to be transferred to Milan on a good scholarship offer to have fashion internships knowing he looked my sister in a funny way around Christmas at church when your uncle jack brought those Irish around for peace offering. Again your uncle knows how to cause chaos. If it wasn't for him, O'Leary would not have met my sister. His people work around the oil fields unusually these days. But now that he looks at my sister funny you know trying to find evidence is meaning less. Where are your Irish principles now. He is your Irish equal from another part of Chicago. You need evidence to accuse him and punish him of a crime. Irish laws are tempted to be broken now. Aren't they Tristan? Now that my sister's love for you is under threat. I know your worst fear. If my sister falls for him, your ship will be sinking. It's her choice. You are worried she may like him. Don't deny it."

Trent gulped at seeing his brothers hands calling into fists inside the elevator. Vincenzo was asking for a fight in the small elevator.