mp.godfather-第78章

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hief　of　the　Corleone　Family；　what's　to　stop　him　from　taking　any　action　he　sees　fit？　Your　word　doesn't　strictly　bind　him。〃
　
　Michael　broke　in　sharply。　He　said　to　Tessio；　very　much　the　chief　now；　〃There　are　things　being　negotiated　which　will　answer　your　questions　and　resolve　your　doubts。　If　my　word　isn't　enough　for　you；　ask　your　Don。〃
　
　But　Tessio　understood　he　had　finally　gone　too　far。　If　he　dared　to　question　the　Don　he　would　make　Michael；　his　enemy。　So　he　shrugged　and　said；　〃I　spoke　for　the　good　of　the　Family；　not　for　myself。　I　can　take　care　of　myself。〃
　
　Michael　gave　him　a　friendly　smile。　〃Tessio；　I　never　doubt　you　in　any　way。　I　never　did。　But　trust　in　me。　Of　course　I'm　not　equal　to　you　and　Pete　in　these　things；　but　after　all　I've　my　father　to　guide　me。　I　won't　do　too　badly；　we'll　all　e　out　fine。〃
　
　The　meeting　was　over。　The　big　news　was　that　Clemenza　and　Tessio　would　be　permitted　to　form　their　own　Families　from　their　regimes。　Tessio　would　have　his　gambling　and　docks　in　Brooklyn；　Clemenza　the　gambling　in　Manhattan　and　the　Family　contacts　in　the　racing　tracks　of　Long　Island。
　
　The　two　caporegimes　left　not　quite　satisfied；　still　a　little　uneasy。　Carlo　Rizzi　lingered　hoping　that　the　time　had　e　when　he　finally　would　be　treated　as　one　of　the　family；　but　he　quickly　saw　that　Michael　was　not　of　that　mind。　He　left　the　Don；　Tom　Hagen　and　Michael　alone　in　the　corner　library　room。　Albert　Neri　ushered　him　out　of　the　house　and　Carlo　noticed　that　Neri　stood　in　the　doorway　watching　him　walk　across　the　floodlit　mall。
　
　In　the　library　the　three　men　had　relaxed　as　only　people　can　who　have　lived　years　together　in　the　same　house；　in　the　same　family。　Michael　served　some　anisette　to　the　Don　and　scotch　to　Tom　Hagen。　He　took　a　drink　for　himself；　which　he　rarely　did。
　
　Tom　Hagen　spoke　up　first。　〃Mike；　why　are　you　cutting　me　out　of　the　action？〃
　
　Michael　seemed　surprised。　〃You'll　be　my　number　one　man　in　Vegas。　We'll　be　legitimate　all　the　way　and　you're　the　legal　man。　What　can　be　more　important　than　that？〃
　
　Hagen　smiled　a　little　sadly。　〃I'm　not　talking　about　that。　I'm　talking　about　Rocco　Lampone　building　a　secret　regime　without　my　knowledge。　I'm　talking　about　you　dealing　direct　with　Neri　rather　than　through　me　or　a　caporegime。　Unless　of　course　you　don't　know　what　Lampone's　doing。〃
　
　Michael　said　softly；　〃How　did　you　find　out　about　Lampone's　regime？〃
　
　Hagen　shrugged。　〃Don't　worry；　there's　no　leak；　nobody　else　knows。　But　in　my　position　I　can　see　what's　happening。　You　gave　Lampone　his　own　living；　you　gave　him　a　lot　of　freedom。　So　he　needs　people　to　help　him　in　his　little　empire。　But　everybody　he　recruits　has　to　be　reported　to　me。　And　I　notice　everybody　he　puts　on　the　payroll　is　a　little　too　good　for　that　particular　job；　is　getting　a　little　more　money　than　that　particular　exercise　is　worth。　You　picked　the　right　man　when　you　picked　Lampone；　by　the　way。　He's　operating　perfectly。〃
　
　Michael　grimaced。　〃Not　so　damn　perfect　if　you　noticed。　Anyway　the　Don　picked　Lampone。〃
　
　〃OK；〃　Tom　said；　〃so　why　am　I　cut　out　of　the　action？〃
　
　Michael　faced　him　and　without　flinching　gave　it　to　him　straight。　〃Tom；　you're　not　a　wartime　Consigliere。　Things　may　get　tough　with　this　move　we're　trying　to　make　and　we　may　have　to　fight。　And　I　want　to　get　you　out　of　the　line　of　fire　too；　just　in　case。〃
　
　Hagen's　face　reddened。　If　the　Don　had　told　him　the　same　thing；　he　would　have　accepted　it　humbly。　But　where　the　hell　did　Mike　e　off　making　such　a　snap　judgment？
　
　〃OK；〃　he　said；　〃but　I　happen　to　agree　with　Tessio。　I　think　you're　going　about　this　all　wrong。　You're　making　the　move　out　of　weakness；　not　strength。　That's　always　bad。　Barzini　is　like　a　wolf；　and　if　he　tears　you　limb　from　limb；　the　other　Families　won't　e　rushing　to　help　the　Corleones。〃
　
　The　Don　finally　spoke。　〃Tom；　it's　not　just　Michael。　I　advised　him　on　these　matters。　There　are　things　that　may　have　to　be　done　that　I　don't　want　in　any　way　to　be　responsible　for。　That　is　my　wish；　not　Michael's。　I　never　thought　you　were　a　bad　Consigliere；　I　thought　Santino　a　bad　Don；　may　his　soul　rest　in　peace。　He　had　a　good　heart　but　he　wasn't　the　right　man　to　head　the　Family　when　I　had　my　little　misfortune。　And　who　would　have　thought　that　Fredo　would　bee　a　lackey　of　women？　So　don't　feel　badly。　Michael　has　all　my　confidence　as　you　do。　For　reasons　which　you　can't　know；　you　must　have　no　part　in　what　may　happen。　By　the　way；　I　told　Michael　that　Lampone's　secret　regime　would　not　escape　your　eye。　So　that　shows　I　have　faith　in　you。〃
　
　Michael　laughed。　〃I　honestly　didn't　think　you'd　pick　that　up；　Tom。〃
　
　Hagen　knew　he　was　being　mollified。　〃Maybe　I　can　help；〃　he　said。
　
　Michael　shook　his　head　decisively。　〃You're　out；　Tom。〃
　
　Tom　finished　his　drink　and　before　he　left　he　gave　Michael　a　mild　reproof。　〃You're　nearly　as　good　as　your　father；〃　he　told　Michael。　〃But　there's　one　thing　you　still　have　to　learn。〃
　
　〃What's　that？〃　Michael　said　politely。
　
　〃How　to　say　no；〃　Hagen　answered。
　
　Michael　nodded　gravely。　〃You're　right；〃　he　said。　〃I'll　remember　that。〃
　
　When　Hagen　had　left；　Michael　said　jokingly　to　his　father；　〃So　you've　taught　me　everything　else。　Tell　me　how　to　say　no　to　people　in　a　way　they'll　like。〃
　
　The　Don　moved　to　sit　behind　the　big　desk。　〃You　cannot　say　'no'　to　the　people　you　love；　not　often。　That's　the　secret。　And　then　when　you　do；　it　has　to　sound　like　a　'yes。'　Or　you　have　to　make　them　say　'no。'　You　have　to　take　time　and　trouble。　But　I'm　old…fashioned；　you're　the　new　modern　generation；　don't　listen　to　me。〃
　
　Michael　laughed。　〃Right。　You　agree　about　Tom　being　out；　though；　don't　you？〃
　
　The　Don　nodded。　〃He　can't　be　involved　in　this。〃
　
　Michael　said　quietly；　〃I　think　it's　time　for　me　to　tell　you　that　what　I'm　going　to　do　is　not　purely　out　of　vengeance　for　Apollonia　and　Sonny。　It's　the　right　thing　to　do。　Tessio　and　Tom　are　right　about　the　Barzinis。〃
　
　Don　Corleone　nodded。　〃Revenge　is　a　dish　that　tastes　best　when　it　is　cold；〃　he　said。　〃I　would　not　have　made　that　peace　but　that　I　knew　you　would　never　e　home　alive　otherwise。　I'm　surprised；　though；　that　Barzini　still　made　a　last　try　at　you。　Maybe　it　was　arranged　before　the　peace　talk　and　he　couldn't　stop　it。　Are　you　sure　they　were　not　after　Don　Tommasino？〃
　
　Michael　said；　〃That's　the　way　it　was　supposed　to　look。　And　it　would　have　been　perfect；　even　you　would　never　have　suspected。　Except　that　I　came　out　alive。　I　saw　Fabrizzio　going　through　the　gate；　running　away。　And　of　course　I've　checked　it　all　out　since　I've　been　back。〃
　
　〃Have　they　found　that　shepherd？〃　the　Don　asked。
　
　〃I　found　him；〃　Michael　said。　〃I　found　him　a　year　ago。　He's　got　his　own　little　pizza　place　up　in　Buffalo。　New　name；　phony　passport　and　identification。　He's　doing　very　well　is　Fabrizzio　the　shepherd。〃
　
　The　Don　nodded。　〃So　it's　to　no　purpose　to　wait　any　longer。　When　will　you　start？〃
　
　Michael　said；　〃I　want　to　wait　until　after　Kay　has　the　baby。　Just　in　case　anything　goes　wrong。　And　I　want　Tom　settled　in　Vegas　so　he　won't　be　concerned　in　the　affair。　I　think　a　year　from　now。〃
　
　〃You've　prepared　for　everything？〃　the　Don　asked。　He　did　not　look　at　Michael　when　he　said　this。
　
　Michael　said　gently；　〃You　have　no　part。　You're　not　responsible。　I　take　all　responsibility。　I　would　refuse　to　let　you　even　veto。　If　you　tried　to　do　that　now；　I　would　leave　the　Family　and　go　my　own　way。　You're　not　responsible。〃
　
　The　Don　was　silent　for　a　long　time　and　then　he　sighed。　He　said；　〃So　be　it。　Maybe　that's　why　I　retired；　maybe　that's　why　I've　turned　everything　over　to　you。　I've　done　my　share　in　life；　I　haven't　got　the　heart　anymore。　And　there　are　some　duties　the　best　of　men　can't　assume。　That's　it　then。〃
　
　During　that　year　Kay　Adams　Corleone　was　delivered　of　a　second　child；　another　boy。　She　delivered　easily；　without　any　trouble　whatsoever；　and　was　weled　back　to　the　mall　like　a　royal　princess。　Connie　Corleone　presented　the　baby　with　a　silk　layette　handmade　in　Italy；　enormously　expensive　and　beautiful。　She　told　Kay；　〃Carlo　found　it。　He　shopped　all　over　New　York　to　get　something　extra　special　after　I　couldn't　find　anything　I　really　liked。〃　Kay　smiled　her　thanks；　understood　immediately　that　she　was　to　tell　Michael　this　fine　tale。　She　was　on　her　way　to　being　a　Sicilian。
　
　Also　during　that　year；　Nino　Valenti　died　of　a　cerebral　hemorrhage。　His　death　made　the　front　pages　of　the　tabloids　because　the　movie　Johnny　Fontane　had　featured　him　in　had　opened　a　few　weeks　before　and　was　a　smash　hit；　establishing　Nino　as　a　major　star。　The　papers　mentioned　that　Johnny　Fontane　was　handling　the　funeral　arrangements；　that　the　funeral　would　be　private；　only　family　and　close　friends　to　attend。　One　sensational　story　even　claimed　that　in　an　interview　Johnny　Fontane　had　blamed　himself　for　his　friend's　death；　that　he　should　have　forced　his　friend　to　place　himself　under　medical　care；　but　the　reporter　made　it　sound　like　the　usual　self…reproach　of　the　sensitive　but　innocent　bystander　to　a　tragedy。　Johnny　Fontane　had　made　his　childhood　friend；　Nino　Valenti；　a　movie　star　and　what　more　could　a　friend　do？
　
　No　member　of　the　Corleone　Family　attended　the　California　funeral　except　Freddie。　Lucy　and　Jules　Segal　attended。　The　Don　himself　had　wanted　to　go　to　California　but　had　suffered　a　slight　heart　attack；　which　kept　him　in　his　bed　for　a　month。　He　sent　a　huge　floral　wreath　instead。　Albert　Neri　was　also　sent　West　as　the　official　representative　of　the　Family。
　
　Two　days　after　Nino's　funeral；　Moe　Greene　was　shot　to　death　in　the　Hollywood　home　of　his　movie…star　mistress；　Albert　Neri　did　not　reappear　in　New　York　until　almost　a　month　later。　He　had　taken　his　vacation　in　the　Caribbean　and　returned　to　duty　tanned　almost　black。　Michael　Corleone　weled　him　with　a　smile　and　a　few　words　of　praise；　which　included　the　information　that　Neri　would　from　then　on　receive　an　extra　〃living；〃　the　Family　ine　from　an　East　Side　〃book〃　considered　especially　rich。　Neri　was　content；　satisfied　that　he　lived　in　a　world　that　properly　rewarded　a　man　who　did　his　duty。
　
　Book　eight
　
　Chapter　29
　
　Michael　Corleone　had　taken　precautions　against　every　eventuality。　His　planning　was　faultless；　his　security　impeccable。　He　was　patient；　hoping　to　use　the　full　year　to　prepare。　But　he　was　not　to　get　his　necessary　year　because　fate　itself　took　a　stand　against　him；　and　in　the　most　surprising　fashion。　For　it　was　the　Godfather；　the　great　Don　himself；　who　failed　Michael　Corleone。
　
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　On　one　sunny　Sunday　morning；　while　the　women　were　at　church；　Don　Vito　Corleone　dressed　in　his　gardening　uniform：　baggy　gray　trousers；　a　faded　blue　shirt；　battered　dirty…brown　fedora　decorated　by　a　stained　gray　silk　hatband。　The　Don　had　gained　considerable　weight　in　his　few　years　and　worked　on　his　tomato　vines；　he　said；　for　the　sake　of　his　health。　But　he　deceived　no　one。
　
　The　truth　was；　he　loved　tending　his　garden；　he　loved　the　sight　of　it　early　on　a　morning。　It　brought　back　his　childhood　in　Sicily　sixty　years　ago；　brought　it　back　without　the　terror；　the　sorrow　of　his　own　father's　death。　Now　the　beans　in　their　rows　grew　little　white　flowers　on　top；　strong　green　stalks　of　scallion　fenced　everything　in。　At　the　foot　of　the　garden　a　spouted　barrel　stood　guar