Крестный отец

           DidJackWoltzhavetheballstoriskeverything,torunthechanceoflosingallonamatterofprinciple,onamatterofhonor;forrevenge?

           Hagensmiled.HediditrarelybutnowhecouldnotresistjestingwiththeDon."You’reaskingifheisaSicilian."TheDonnoddedhisheadpleasantly,acknowledgingtheflatteringwitticismanditstruth."No,"Hagensaid.

           Thathadbeenall.TheDonhadponderedthequestionuntilthenextday.OnWednesdayafternoonhehadcalledHagentohishomeandgivenhimhisinstructions.TheinstructionshadconsumedtherestofHagen’sworkingdayandlefthimdazedwithadmiration.TherewasnoquestioninhismindthattheDonhadsolvedtheproblem,thatWoltzwouldcallhimthismorningwiththenewsthatJohnnyFontanehadthestarringpartinhisnewwarmovie.

           AtthatmomentthephonedidringbutitwasAmerigoBonasera.Theundertaker’svoicewastremblingwithgratitude.HewantedHagentoconveytotheDonhisundyingfriendship.TheDonhadonlytocallonhim.He,AmerigoBonasera,wouldlaydownhislifefortheblessedGodfather.HagenassuredhimthattheDonwouldbetold.

           TheDailyNewshadcarriedamiddle-pagespreadofJerryWagnerandKevinMoonanlyinginthestreet.Thephotoswereexpertlygruesome,theyseemedtobepulpsofhumanbeings.Miraculously,saidtheNews,theywerebothstillalivethoughtheywouldbothbeinthehospitalformonthsandwouldrequireplasticsurgery.HagenmadeanotetotellClemenzathatsomethingshouldbedoneforPaulieGatto.Heseemedtoknowhisjob.