Крестный отец

           HeknewGatto’sreputationasanup-and-comingman,averyquickmanwhoknewhowtogetdelicatejobsdonewithoutcomplications,andtodayhehadfailedinhisduty.Henoticedseveralothermeninthecornersoftheroombuthedidnotrecognizethem.TheywerenotofClemenza’speople.Michaelputthesefactstogetherandunderstood.ClemenzaandGattoweresuspect.ThinkingthatPauliehadbeenatthescene,heaskedtheferret-facedyoungman,"HowisFreddie?HeOK?"

           "Thedoctorgavehimashot,"Clemenzasaid."He’ssleeping."

           MichaelwenttoHagen’swifeandbentdowntokisshercheek.Theyhadalwayslikedeachother.Hewhispered,"Don’tworry,TomwillbeOK.HaveyoutalkedtoSonnyyet?"

           Theresaclungtohimforamomentandshookherhead.Shewasadelicate,veryprettywoman,moreAmericanthanItalian,andveryscared.Hetookherhandandliftedheroffthesofa.Thenheledherintohisfather’scornerroomoffice.

           Sonnywassprawledoutinhischairbehindthedeskholdingayellowpadinonehandandapencilintheother.TheonlyothermanintheroomwithhimwasthecaporegimeTessio,whomMichaelrecognizedandimmediatelyrealizedthatitmustbehismenwhowereinthehouseandformingthenewpalaceguard.Hetoohadapencilandpadinhishands.

           WhenSonnysawthemhecamefrombehindhisdeskandtookHagen’swifeinhisarms."Don’tworry,Theresa,"hesaid."Tom’sOK.Theyjustwantagivehimtheproposition,theysaidthey’dturnhimloose.