Chapter 10
Tony stood on the back porch of his brother-in-laws house contemplating the events of the day. It was clear to him, from all he'd overheard that the police were now convinced that he'd committed several heinous crimes. If Stefano was behind this, it must have been quite a set-up, considering that Tony had dissapeared twenty years ago. It disturbed him in the extreme that anyone had gotten this close to him and his family and he knew that he had to get to the bottom of it, and quickly!
Doug walked out onto the porch. "You ok?" he asked Tony.
"Not really." Tony said.
"Oh." Doug muttered, about one second before his fist connected with Tony's midsection. Tony doubled over and stumbled off the porch and onto the hard ground.
"Feel better now?" Doug asked matter of factly. Tony looked up, breathing hard. He was struggling to pull himself up when Cori came outside. "What's going on out here? She asked confused. "Tony why are you on the ground?" "Ask your brother." Tony gasped, still struggling to get up. Doug extended a hand to help him and Tony took it warily. "Just keeping an old promise, lass!" He said. "A promise to knock me on my ass!" Tony said, still clutching his stomach. Doug had fists like barbells.
"Thas right boyo! I told ya when ya married Cori that if you ever brought pain to her or any other member of my family that you'd have me to answer to. Well you done did that today, so I figured it was time to make good on my promise! No hard feelins!"
"Oh no. Heaven forbid." Tony said sarcastically, still gasping for breath
Cori went over to help Tony up the stairs and sat him down in chair before turning angrily on her brother.
"Douglas Lachlan Sheridan!" She yelled, poking him square in the chest. "Don't ya ever be layin a hand on me husband again! Do ya hear me!"
"It's not your place to defend me or my family unless I ask ya to! Is that clear!" She continued, her own Scottish brogue coming to the fore.
Doug stepped far back from his sister, knowing enough to be wary of her temper.
"Now lass!" He began. But Cori cut him off. "Don't ya now lass me Douglas Sheridan!"
"Tony's done nuthin wrong and what happened today wasna his fault! And I won't have nobody blamin him. Especially not the likes a you!"
Doug stood there with his mouth gapin open like a fish as Cori finished her tirade and just as suddenly turned sweetly to her husband and said in her usually clear sweet voice.
"Come on sweetheart, I'll help you upstairs and take care of you."
Tony stood up moaning in pain and leaned on his wife for support, but not before flashing a cheeky grin Doug's way. He then resumed his moans as Cori helped him inside.
Poor Doug could only stand there, dumbstruck.