Chapter 3

           Countingthedriver,therewerefourmeninthecarwithHagen.Theyputhiminthebackseat,inthemiddleofthetwomenwhohadcomeupbehindhiminthestreet.Sollozzosatupfront.ThemanonHagen’srightreachedoveracrosshisbodyandtiltedHagen’shatoverhiseyessothathecouldnotsee."Don’tevenmoveyourpinkie,"hesaid.

           Itwasashortride,notmorethantwentyminutesandwhentheygotoutofthecarHagencouldnotrecognizetheneighborhoodbecausedarknesshadfallen.Theyledhimintoabasementapartmentandmadehimsitonastraightbackedkitchenchair.Sollozzosatacrossthekitchentablefromhim.Hisdarkfacehadapeculiarlyvulturinelook.

           "Idon’twantyoutobeafraid,"hesaid."Iknowyou’renotinthemuscleendoftheFamily.IwantyoutohelptheCorleonesandIwantyoutohelpme."

           Hagen’shandswereshakingasheputacigaretteinhismouth.Oneofthemenbroughtabottleofryetothetableandgavehimaslugofitinachinacoffeecup.Hagendrankthefieryliquidgratefully.Itsteadiedhishandandtooktheweaknessoutofhislegs.

           "Yourbossisdead,"Sollozzosaid.Hepaused,surprisedatthetearsthatsprangtoHagen’seyes.Thenhewenton."Wegothimoutsidehisoffice,inthestreet.AssoonasIgottheword,Ipickedyouup.YouhavetomakethepeacebetweenmeandSonny."

           Hagendidn’tanswer.Hewassurprisedathisowngrief.Andthefeelingofdesolationmixedwithhisfearofdeath.Sollozzowasspeakingagain."Sonnywashotformydeal.