Крестный отец

           Tessiorememberedthestorieshe’dheardaboutMoeGreeneslappingFreddieCorleonearoundonenightintheVegashotel.Hebegantosmellarat.Heleanedback.MoeGreenewasadeadman,hethought.TheCorleoneFamilydidnotwishtopersuadehim.

           CarloRizzispokeup."IstheCorleoneFamilygoingtostopoperatinginNewYorkaltogether?"

           Michaelnodded."We’resellingtheoliveoilbusiness.Everythingwecan,weturnovertoTessioandClemenza.But,Carlo,Idon’twantyoutoworryaboutyourjob.YougrewupinNevada,youknowthestate,youknowthepeople.I’mcountingonyoubeingmyright-handmanwhenwemakeourmoveoutthere."

           Carloleanedback,hisfaceflushedwithgratification.Histimewascoming,hewouldmoveintheconstellationsofpower.

           Michaelwenton."TomHagenisnolongertheConsigliere.He’sgoingtobeourlawyerinVegas.Inabouttwomonthshe’llmoveouttherepermanentlywithhisfamily.Strictlyasalawyer.Nobodygoestohimwithanyotherbusinessasofnow,thisminute.He’salawyerandthat’sall.NoreflectiononTom.That’sthewayIwantit.Besides,ifIeverneedanyadvice,who’sabettercounselorthanmyfather?"Theyalllaughed.Buttheyhadgottenthemessagedespitethejoke.TomHagenwasout;henolongerheldanypower.TheyalltooktheirfleetingglancestocheckHagen’sreactionbuthisfacewasimpassive.

           Clemenzaspokeupinhisfatman’swheeze."Theninayear’stimewe’reonourown,isthatit?"

           "Maybeless,"Michaelsaidcourteously.