Chapter 17

It was a week before Giordano was pronounced fit enough to be discharged from hospital. Richard had been released several days earlier but had been whisked away to places unknown before anyone had had a chance to talk to him. Even Olivia didn't know where he was and, consequently, was in a state of extreme anxiety. It was only by chance that Jack's team became aware that Giordano was in the building ready to be interrogated and he instantly petitioned D to be allowed to observe the interview. D hesitated, especially when Myles added his request to Jack's as did Bobby.

"Come on," wheedled Myles. "Some-one has to keep an eye on King, he's quite likely to omit the most important of questions and then Giordano's case will be thrown out of court."

"I thought that 'observing' meant watching, not taking over," replied D dryly.

"And I will be watching," replied Myles. "But if I observe something that requires additional information, clarification or expertise then it is my duty, as an FBI agent of over ten years exemplary service…"

"Until you were suspended," whispered Lucy to Tara with a giggle.

"Of over ten years exemplary service," repeated Myles, glaring at Lucy. "To ensure that the case reaches a most judicial conclusion."

"And you want to protect your baby brother," added Lucy, gaily.

"In a way, yes," replied Myles, turning towards her in full lecturing mode. "But there is more to it than that. Richard is an adult who has made a series of decisions, and as an adult he has to live with the consequences of those decisions. As his older brother I feel compelled to protect him, as you said, however, not knowing the full extent of his involvement or how being the accused's son-in-law will impact on his future and that of my family I do feel that I am obliged to be present when Giordano is interviewed." Lucy's expression sobered, "I understand that, it's going to be tough on everyone." She commented quietly as she returned to her desk and picked up a folder. D looked at the trio and slowly nodded, "But remember, observation only. The minute one of you puts his nose where it doesn't belong you are all out of there!"

"Yes D, Thanks D!" cried Jack and they ran from the room.

Giordano was already seated at the table, an agent was standing behind him keeping guard. Bobby, Jack and Myles were just in time to see King swagger into the room and slam a folder down onto the table. Myles snorted. For a long while King said nothing merely staring at Giordano, trying to un-nerve him. Giordano returned the gaze a slight, bemused smile on his lips. King was just about to speak when the door opened and an agent entered moving swiftly to King and whispering in his ear. "What!" exclaimed King. "That can't be right!" he glanced at the mirror, behind which stood Bobby, Jack and Myles, who were also feeling quite puzzled at this turn of events. King scowled fiercely before storming out of the room. Quickly, the three men entered the corridor and saw King in a heated discussion with one of the supervisors. "What do you mean I can't interview Giordano? It's my case, I brought him in! Higgins you can't do this!"

"Protocol dictates that I can," replied Higgins, calmly. "It has come to our attention that one of the members of your team has a connection to Marco Bellini, that piece of information in itself is enough to make us question the validity of you conducting the interview,"

"One of my team!" exclaimed King. "Who?"

"I cannot disclose that at this point, though I can tell you that you and your team will be placed under investigation to determine what involvement, if any, you have with Marco Bellini and the explosion and fire at the Blue Hibiscus." said Higgins.

"And what about Giordano? Are you letting him go? You certainly can't let Ganz's team take over they are definitely up to their ears in it, I hope that you intend to investigate them as well." blustered King, petulantly.

"We have an out of town team arriving shortly. They have been investigating this for a while. Don't worry, the right people will be heading for jail." Without another word Higgins left King who turned immediately to Jack and the others. "Good job," he sneered. "The bad guys win again. How did you manage to pull that little stunt off?"

"It has nothing to do with us," replied Jack. "We're as mystified as you are about this."

"Course you are," And with a short laugh of disbelief King left.

"Well that's interesting," remarked Myles. "I wonder who this team is?"

"Richard was working for another department, perhaps it's them." answered Bobby. "Hey, look isn't that Isaaks from Baltimore? Do you think that he is here to interrogate Giordano? He's pretty high-ranking, this whole thing must be bigger than we thought." They watched as Robert Isaaks, with two of his team, entered the interrogation room and the guard inside left.

Jack, Bobby and Myles re-entered the observation room. Just as Myles was about to close the door Olivia, wearing a visitors badge and escorted by Sue, slipped through. Before Myles could even ask what she was doing there he heard Jack exclaim as Richard Leland, of all people, walked into the interrogation room.

"What's he doing there?" exclaimed Myles turning to Olivia.

"I don't know," she answered. "Perhaps he is under interrogation as well."

"It doesn't look like that to me," commented Jack. "It looks like he is in charge, this is most irregular." Bobby flipped the intercom switch so that they could listen.

"Giordano, I glad to see that you are looking much better. Have you recovered fully?" asked Richard, gently.

"Almost, I have a slight cough at night and I can't move too quickly without running out of breath but then I was getting that way anyway. I'm not a young man any more!" he gave a short laugh and shrugged his shoulders.

"As you probably can tell I'm not a 'genius' tech guy," continued Richard air quoting the word genius. "I was actually placed in your organisation to bring down Marco Bellini."

"Tell me something I don't know," growled Giordano. "I requested the FBI's help after all. What was I supposed to think when my tech guy was arrested and you, conveniently, appeared."

"Smart man. However, we are still a little confused as to your motive for giving up your nephew. Doesn't the mob frown on that sort of thing?" queried Richard.

"There are somethings, some people that even the mob won't deal with. Marco was willing to sell his soul and bring down everything that we stood for to achieve his desires. No one was safe from him, no one. I couldn't let it happen, I couldn't let him disgrace the family name and the other families agreed with me so I volunteered to sacrifice myself and it was accepted." explained Giordano.

In the observation room Olivia let out a whimper astounded at what her father had been prepared to do and Myles moved to her side, silently offering her his support. "So Riccardo wasn't after my father?" she whispered.

"It would appear not," replied Myles softly. "I never saw that coming. He's very good."

"Where is Marco now?" asked Giordano. "Will it go to trial?"

"We have a strong case but he is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation so nothing can be decided until that is completed," replied Richard.

"So he will get away with it," Giordano said angrily. "When I think of the friends and family that I have lost because of him…" briefly, he put his head in his hands then sat back up, his spine straight and a determined expression on his face. "He wanted me to disown my own daughter. When I refused he attempted to have her killed. I had to hide her away in Italy for years. All because she fell in love and had a child. He called it a betrayal, that she was intended for him and I was weak for not controlling her. I admit that she could always wrap me around her little finger and perhaps I could have been a little firmer but I love her. In the same way that I love my grand daughter and that I respect her husband. He could have made this assignment personal, deviated from the ultimate goal to get some form of revenge…"

"Wait you now who I am!" exclaimed Richard, startled, suddenly comprehending Giordano's words.

"Of course I do, I'll show you the file I have on you some day, it is very detailed! And I want to thank you for protecting Olivia and Katia and for making them happy," he swayed in his seat and mopped his brow with a handkerchief. "Do you think that we could have a short break, I'm feeling a little tired. I don't think that I have recovered as well as I claimed," he gave a little smile.

"Sure, I'll get some refreshments for you," Richard gestured to one of the men who left the room.

In the observation room Jack turned to Myles, "Let me see if I got this straight," he began. "Giordano requested the FBI's help in getting Marco arrested so that the Mafia could continue in their nefarious ways unhindered and the FBI agreed! Then somehow or other your brother became involved, what exactly does Richard do for the FBI? He certainly is no Howie, he appears to be playing in the big league!"

"I'm as baffled as you are," replied Myles. "Olivia do you know?"

"No," she said sadly. "He kept all this a secret from me. Oh I knew that he was FBI but I just thought that he was in an office. I'm sorry, I can't do this at the moment, I need to think." and she flung open the door just as Richard was about to enter. He tried to hug her but she shook him off. "Can I see my father please?" she asked, coldly.

"Sure, five minutes only though we have to continue the interview after then." answered Richard gently. Olivia left the room.

"Richard what is going on?" demanded Myles. "When you said that Giordano was helping us I didn't know you meant that the FBI was going to be indebted to the Mafia."

"That's because we are not. We needed to get Marco off the streets but we are not turning a blind eye to all the other illegal activities going on. Though I'm not sure that some of the leads I've uncovered are genuine, not if Giordano knew who I was all along!" he grinned.

"So how high up in the bureau are you?" asked Myles.

"Oh my security clearance is way higher than yours," laughed Richard, smugly.

"Mother is going to be so impressed," grinned Myles. "I really can't wait for her to find out about everything it might give myself and Anne a break for a while."

"Always eager to oblige. Now if you would excuse me I have villains to interrogate," giving a mock salute he went back to work.

For the next hour and a half Myles, Jack and Bobby watched an expert at work. Myles was astonished at how proficient his baby brother was. No question was unasked, no answer taken at face value, Richard got what he wanted calmly and respectfully. Myles felt unbelievably proud and was looking forward to telling him so.

Finally, it was all tied up. Giordano made his statement and signed it and was removed back to a holding cell. The only thing that spoiled their celebration was that Olivia had left the building and was refusing to talk to Richard. "She'll come round," he said. "Once she has thought everything through."

"Make sure that she does, little brother," ordered Myles. "She has put up with a lot for you, you owe her. Besides I can't wait to see Mother and Father's faces when you turn up for Sunday lunch, it will be priceless!"