Крестный отец

           Onthefloorwasaglassjarreceivingthepoisonsemptiedfromhisstomachbyothertubes.Michaelstayedthereforafewmomentstomakesurehisfatherwasallright,thenbackedoutoftheroom.

           Hetoldthenurse,"MynameisMichaelCorleone,Ijustwanttositwithmyfather.Whathappenedtothedetectiveswhoweresupposedtobeguardinghim?"

           Thenursewasaprettyyoungthingwithagreatdealofconfidenceinthepowerofheroffice."Oh,yourfatherjusthadtoomanyvisitors,itinterferedwiththehospitalservice,"shesaid."Thepolicecameandmadethemallleaveabouttenminutesago.AndthenjustfiveminutesagoIhadtocallthedetectivestothephoneforanemergencyalarmfromtheirheadquarters,andthentheylefttoo.Butdon’tworry,IlookinonyourfatheroftenandIcanhearanysoundfromhisroom.That’swhyweleavethedoorsopen."

           "Thankyou,"Michaelsaid."I’llsitwithhimforalittlewhile.OK?"

           Shesmiledathim."JustforalittlebitandthenI’mafraidyou’llhavetoleave.It’stherules,youknow."

           Michaelwentbackintohisfather’sroom.HetookthephonefromitscradleandgotthehospitaloperatortogivehimthehouseinLongBeach,thephoneinthecornerofficeroom.Sonnyanswered.Michaelwhispered,"Sonny,I’mdownatthehospital,Icamedownlate.Sonny,there’snobodyhere.NoneofTessio’speople.Nodetectivesatthedoor.Theoldmanwascompletelyunprotected."Hisvoicewastrembling.