Крестный отец

           "Andheliedtome."

           Theywalkedonforalongtimeinsilence.FinallyHagensaid,"Youhavenowayofreallyknowingthat’salltrue.Butjustforthesakeofargumentlet’sassumethatit’strue.I’mnotsayingitis,remember.ButwhatifIgaveyouwhatmightbesomejustificationforwhathedid.Orrathersomepossiblejustifications?"

           Kaylookedathimscornfully."That’sthefirsttimeI’veseesthelawyersideofyou,Tom.It’snotyourbestside."

           Hagengrinned."OK.Justhearmeout.WhatifCarlohadputSonnyonthespot,fingeredhim.WhatifCarlobeatingupConniethattimewasadeliberateplottogetSonnyoutintheopen,thattheyknewhewouldtaketherouteovertheJonesBeachCauseway?WhatifCarlohadbeenpaidtohelpgetSonnykilled?Thenwhat?"

           Kaydidn’tanswer.Hagenwenton."AndwhatiftheDon,agreatman,couldn’tbringhimselftodowhathehadtodo,avengehisson’sdeathbykillinghisdaughter’shusband?Whatifthat,finally,wastoomuchforhim,andhemadeMichaelhissuccessor,knowingthatMichaelwouldtakethatloadoffhisshoulders,wouldtakethatguilt?"

           "Itwasalloverwith,"Kaysaid,tearsspringingintohereyes."Everybodywashappy.Whycouldn’tCarlobeforgiven?Whycouldn’teverythinggoonandeverybodyforget?"

           Shehadledacrossameadowtoatree-shadedbrook.Hagensankdownonthegrassandsighed.Helookedaround,sighedagainandsaid,"Inthisworldyoucoulddoit.

           Kaysaid,"He’snotthemanImarried."

           Hagenlaughedshortly.