Крестный отец

           ***

           Inthehalfhouraftertheshootingofhisfather,SonnyCorleonereceivedfivephonecallsinrapidsuccession.ThefirstwasfromDetectiveJohnPhillips,whowasonthefamilypayrollandhadbeenintheleadcarofplainclothesmenatthesceneoftheshooting.ThefirstthinghesaidtoSonnyoverthephonewas,"Doyourecognizemyvoice?"

           "Yeah,"Sonnysaid.Hewasfreshfromanap,calledtothephonebyhiswife.

           Phillipssaidquicklywithoutpreamble,"Somebodyshotyourfatheroutsidehisplace.Fifteenminutesago.He’salivebuthurtbad.They’vetakenhimtoFrenchHospital.TheygotyourbrotherFreddiedownattheChelseaprecinct.Youbettergethimadoctorwhentheyturnhimloose.I’mgoingdowntothehospitalnowtohelpquestionyouroldman,ifhecantalk.I’llkeepyouposted."

           Acrossthetable,Sonny’swifeSandranoticedthatherhusband’sfacehadgoneredwithflushingblood.Hiseyeswereglazedover.Shewhispered,"What’sthematter?"Hewavedatherimpatientlytoshutup,swunghisbodyawaysothathisbackwastowardherandsaidintothephone,"Yousurehe’salive?"

           "Yeah,I’msure,"thedetectivesaid."AlotofbloodbutIthinkmaybehe’snotasbadashelooks."

           "Thanks,"Sonnysaid."Behometomorrowmorningeightsharp.Yougotagrandcoming."

           Sonnycradledthephone.Heforcedhimselftositstill.Heknewthathisgreatestweaknesswashisangerandthiswasonetimewhenangercouldbefatal.ThefirstthingtodowasgetTomHagen.