Крестный отец

           AtthatmomentBarzinicameupwithhisotherbodyguard.Hegrowled,"Whatthehelliswrongnow?"

           Nerifinishedwritinginhissummonsbookandgavethedriverbackhisregistrationandlicense.Thenheputhissummonsbookbackinhishippocketandwiththeforwardmotionofhishanddrewthe.38Special.

           HeputthreebulletsinBarzini’sbarrelchestbeforetheotherthreemenunfrozeenoughtodiveforcover.BythattimeNerihaddartedintothecrowdandaroundthecornerwherethecarwaswaitingforhim.ThecarspeduptoNinthAvenueandturneddowntown.NearChelseaPark,Neri,whohaddiscardedthecapandputontheovercoatandchangedclothing,transferredtoanothercarthatwaswaitingforhim.Hehadleftthegunandthepoliceuniformintheothercar.Itwouldbegottenridof.AnhourlaterhewassafelyinthemallonLongBeachandtalkingtoMichaelCorleone.

           TessiowaswaitinginthekitchenoftheoldDon’shouseandwassippingatacupofcoffeewhenTomHagencameforhim."Mikeisreadyforyounow,"Hagensaid."YoubettermakeyourcalltoBarziniandtellhimtostartonhisway."

           Tessioroseandwenttothewallphone.HedialedBarzini’sofficeinNewYorkandsaidcurtly,"We’reonourwaytoBrooklyn."HehungupandsmiledatHagen."IhopeMikecangetusagooddealtonight."

           Hagensaidgravely,"I’msurehewill."HeescortedTessiooutofthekitchenandontothemall.TheywalkedtowardMichael’shouse.Atthedoortheywerestoppedbyoneofthebodyguards.