Крестный отец

           ThatmeantthatwhilehehadbeenmakinglovetoKay,havingdinner,enjoyingthetheater,hisfatherwasneardeath.Michaelfeltsickwithguilt.

           Kaysaid,"Shallwegodowntothehospitalnow?"

           Michaelshookhishead."Letmecallthehousefirst.Thepeoplewhodidthisarecrazyandnowthattheoldman’sstillalivethey’llbedesperate.Whothehellknowswhatthey’llpullnext."

           BothphonesintheLongBeachhousewerebusyanditwasalmosttwentyminutesbeforeMichaelcouldgetthrough.HeheardSonny’svoicesaying,"Yeah."

           "Sonny,it’sme,"Michaelsaid.

           HecouldhearthereliefinSonny’svoice."Jesus,kid,youhadusworried.Wherethehellareyou?I’vesentpeopletothathicktownofyourstoseewhathappened."

           "How’stheoldman?"Michaelsaid."Howbadishehurt?"

           "Prettybad,"Sonnysaid."Theyshothimfivetimes.Buthe’stough."Sonny’svoicewasproud."Thedoctorssaidhe’llpullthrough.Listen,kid,I’mbusy,Ican’ttalk,whereareyou?"

           "InNewYork,"Michaelsaid."Didn’tTomtellyouIwascomingdown?"

           Sonny’svoicedroppedalittle."They’vesnatchedTom.That’swhyIwasworriedaboutyou.Hiswifeishere.Shedon’tknowandneitherdothecops.Idon’twantthemtoknow.Thebastardswhopulledthismustbecrazy.Iwantyoutogetouthererightawayandkeepyourmouthshut.OK?"

           "OK,"Mikesaid,"doyouknowwhodidit?"

           "Sure,"Sonnysaid."AndassoonasLucaBrasichecksinthey’regonnabedeadmeat.