Крестный отец

           WasitpossiblethatSollozzohadbeeninthatfirstcarandhadseenhimstandinginfrontofthehospital?WasitpossiblethatSollozzohadthencalledthiscaptainandsaid,"HowcometheCorleones’menarestillaroundthehospitalwhenIpaidyoutolockthemup?"WasitpossiblethatallhadbeencarefullyplannedasSonnyhadsaid?Everythingfittedin.Stillcool,hesaidtothecaptain,"I’mnotleavingthishospitaluntilyouputguardsaroundmyfather’sroom."

           Thecaptaindidn’tbotheranswering.Hesaidtothedetectivestandingbesidehim,"Phil,lockthispunkup."

           Thedetectivesaidhesitantly,"Thekidisclean,Captain.He’sawarheroandhe’sneverbeenmixedupintherackets.Thepaperscouldmakeastink."

           Thecaptainstartedtoturnonthedetective,hisfaceredwithfury.Heroaredout,"Goddamnit,Isaidlockhimup."

           Michael,stillthinkingclearly,notangry,saidwithdeliberatemalice,"HowmuchistheTurkpayingyoutosetmyfatherup,Captain?"

           Thepolicecaptainturnedtohim.Hesaidtothetwoburlypatrolmen,"Holdhim."Michaelfelthisarmspinnedtohissides.Hesawthecaptain’smassivefistarchingtowardhisface.Hetriedtoweaveawaybutthefistcaughthimhighonthecheekbone.Agrenadeexplodedinhisskull.Hismouthfilledwithbloodandsmallhardbonesthatherealizedwerehisteeth.Hecouldfeelthesideofhisheadpuffupasifitwerefillingwithair.Hislegswereweightlessandhewouldhavefallenifthetwopolicemenhadnotheldhimup.