Крестный отец

           TheCapones,sentbackwordthattheywouldnotinterfere.

           Theoddswerenowequal.AndVitoCorleonehadearnedanenormousamountof"respect"throughouttheUnitedStatesunderworldwithhishumiliationoftheCapones.Forsixmonthsheout-generaledMaranzano.Heraidedthecrapgamesunderthatman’sprotection,locatedhisbiggestpolicybankerinHarlemandhadhimrelievedofaday’splaynotonlyinmoneybutinrecords.Heengagedhisenemiesonallfronts.EveninthegarmentcentershesentClemenzaandhismentofightonthesideoftheunionistsagainsttheenforcersonthepayrollofMaranzanoandtheownersofthedressfirms.Andonallfrontshissuperiorintelligenceandorganizationmadehimthevictor.Clemenza’sjollyferocity,whichCorleoneemployedjudiciously,alsohelpedturnthetideofbattle.AndthenDonCorleonesenttheheld-backreserveoftheTessioregimeafterMaranzanohimself.

           BythistimeMaranzanohaddispatchedemissariessuingforapeace.VitoCorleonerefusedtoseethem,putthemoffononepretextoranother.TheMaranzanosoldiersweredesertingtheirleader,notwishingtodieinalosingcause.BookmakersandshylockswerepayingtheCorleoneorganizationtheirprotectionmoney.Thewarwasallbutover.

           AndthenfinallyonNewYear’sEveof1933.TessiogotinsidethedefensesofMaranzanohimself.TheMaranzanolieutenantswereanxiousforadealandagreedtoleadtheirchieftotheslaughter.