Крестный отец

           Heemployedaphysicalstrengththatwastrulyextraordinary,whichhehimselfdidnotfullyappreciate.

           OnenightinCentralParkWesthejumpedoutofthepatrolcarandlinedupsixpunksinblacksilkjackets.Hispartnerremainedinthedriver’sseat,notwantingtogetinvolved,knowingNeri.Thesixboys,allintheirlateteens,hadbeenstoppingpeopleandaskingthemforcigarettesinayouthfullymenacingwaybutnotdoinganyoneanyrealphysicalharm.TheyhadalsoteasedgirlsgoingbywithasexualgesturemoreFrenchthanAmerican.

           NerilinedthemupagainstthestonewallthatclosedoffCentralParkfromEighthAvenue.Itwastwilight,butNericarriedhisfavoriteweapon,ahugeflashlight.Heneverbothereddrawinghisgun;itwasnevernecessary.Hisfacewhenhewasangrywassobrutallymenacing,combinedwithhisuniform,thattheusualpunkswerecowed.Thesewerenoexception.

           Neriaskedthefirstyouthintheblacksilkjacket,"What’syourname?"ThekidansweredwithanIrishname.Neritoldhim,"Getoffthestreet.Iseeyouagaintonight,I’llcrucifyyou."Hemotionedwithhisflashlightandtheyouthwalkedquicklyaway.Nerifollowedthesameprocedurewiththenexttwoboys.Heletthemwalkoff.ButthefourthboygaveanItaliannameandsmiledatNeriasiftoclaimsomesortofkinship.NeriwasunmistakablyofItaliandescent.Nerilookedatthisyouthforamomentandaskedsuperfluously,"YouItalian?"Theboygrinnedconfidently.

           Nerihithimastunningblowontheforeheadwithhisflashlight.