Крестный отец

           Canyoumeethimlaterontonight?"

           "Sure,"Lucasaid."Whattimeandwhere?"

           Tattagliasaidsoftly,"Theclubclosesatfourinthemorning.Whydon’tyoumeetinherewhilethewaitersarecleaningups.

           Theyknewhishabits,Lucathought,theymusthavebeencheckinghimout.Heusuallygotupaboutthreeorfourintheafternoonandhadbreakfast,thenamusedhimselfbygamblingwithcroniesintheFamilyorhadagirl.Sometimeshesawoneofthemidnightmoviesandthenwoulddropinforadrinkatoneoftheclubs.Heneverwenttobedbeforedawn.SothesuggestionofafourA.M.meetingwasnotasoutlandishasitseemed.

           "Sure,sure,"hesaid."I’llbebackatfour."HelefttheclubandcaughtacabtohisfurnishedroomonTenthAvenue.HeboardedwithanItalianfamilytowhichhewasdistantlyrelated.Histworoomswereseparatedfromtherestoftheirrailroadflatbyaspecialdoor.Helikedthearrangementbecauseitgavehimsomefamilylifeandalsoprotectionagainstsurprisewherehewasmostvulnerable.

           TheslyTurkishfoxwasgoingtoshowhisbushytail,Lucathought.Ifthingswentfarenough,ifSollozzocommittedhimselftonight,maybethewholethingcouldbewoundupasaChristmaspresentfortheDon.Inhisroom,Lucaunlockedthetrunkbeneaththebedandtookoutabulletproofvest.Itwasheavy.Heundressedandputitonoverhiswoolenunderwear,thenputhisshirtandjacketoverit.