Chapter 27

           MichaelCorleonearrivedlateintheeveningand,byhisownorder,wasnotmetattheairport.Onlytwomenaccompaniedhim:TomHagenandanewbodyguard,namedAlbertNeri.

           ThemostlavishsuiteofroomsinthehotelhadbeensetasideforMichaelandhisparty.AlreadywaitinginthatsuitewerethepeopleitwouldbenecessaryforMichaeltosee.

           Freddiegreetedhisbrotherwithawarmembrace.Freddiewasmuchstouter,morebenevolent-looking,cheerful,andfarmoredandified.Heworeanexquisitelytailoredgraysilkandaccessoriestomatch.Hishairwasrazorcutandarrangedascarefullyasamoviestar’s,hisfaceglowedwithperfectbarberingandhishandsweremanicured.HewasanaltogetherdifferentmanthantheonewhohadbeenshippedoutofNewYorkfouryearsbefore.

           HeleanedbackandsurveyedMichaelfondly."Youlookahellofalotbetternowthatyougotyourfacefixed.Yourwifefinallytalkedyouintoit,huh?HowisKay?Whenshegoonscomeoutandvisitusouthere?"

           Michaelsmiledathisbrother."You’relookingprettygoodtoo.Kaywouldhavecomeoutthistime,butshe’scarryinganotherkidandshehasthebabytolookafter.Besidesthisisbusiness,Freddie,Ihavetoflybacktomorrownightorthemorningafter."

           "Youhavetoeatsomethingfirst,"Freddiesaid."We’vegotagreatchefinthehotel,you’llgetthebestfoodyoueverate.Gotakeyourshowerandchangeandeverythingwillbesetuprighthere.