Крестный отец

           HerelaxedhimselfagainsttheseatcushionsasCarlo’sbodyslumpedagainstthedoor.AfterafewmomentsClemenzarolledthewindowdowntoletoutthestink.

           ThevictoryoftheCorleoneFamilywascomplete.Duringthatsametwenty-four-hourperiodClemenzaandLamponeturnedloosetheirregimesandpunishedtheinfiltratorsoftheCorleonedomains.NeriwassenttotakecommandoftheTessioregime.Barzinibookmakerswereputoutofbusiness;twoofthehighest-rankingBarzinienforcerswereshottodeathastheywerepeaceablypickingtheirteethoverdinnerinanItalianrestaurantonMulberryStreet.Anotoriousfixeroftrottingraceswasalsokilledashereturnedhomefromawinningnightatthetrack.Twoofthebiggestshylocksonthewaterfrontdisappeared,tobefoundmonthslaterintheNewJerseyswamps.

           Withthisonesavageattack,MichaelCorleonemadehisreputationandrestoredtheCorleoneFamilytoitsprimaryplaceintheNewYorkFamilies.HewasrespectednotonlyforhistacticalbrillancebutbecausesomeofthemostimportantcaporegimesinboththeBarziniandTattagliaFamiliesimmediatelywentovertohisside.

           ItwouldhavebeenaperfecttriumphforMichaelCorleoneexceptforanexhibitionofhysteriabyhissisterConnie.

           Conniehadflownhomewithhermother,thechildrenleftinVegas.Shehadrestrainedherwidow’sgriefuntilthelimousinepulledintothemall.Then,beforeshecouldberestrainedbyhermother,sheranacrossthecobbledstreettoMichaelCorleone’shouse.