The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
367
to dive for cover. By that time Neri had darted into the crowd and around the corner 
where the car was waiting for him. The car sped up to Ninth Avenue and turned 
downtown. Near Chelsea Park, Neri, who had discarded the cap and put on the 
overcoat and changed clothing, transferred to another car that was waiting for him. He 
had left the gun and the police uniform in the other car. It would be gotten rid of. An hour 
later he was safely in the mall on Long Beach and talking to Michael Corleone. 
* * *
Tessio was waiting in the kitchen of the old Don’s house and was sipping at a cup of 
coffee when Tom Hagen came for him. “Mike is ready for you now,” Hagen said. “You 
better make your call to Barzini and tell him to start on his way.” 
Tessio rose and went to the wall phone. He dialed Barzini’s office in New York and said 
curtly, “We’re on our way to Brooklyn.” He hung up and smiled at Hagen. “I hope Mike 
can get us a good deal tonight.” 
Hagen said gravely, “I’m sure he will.” He escorted Tessio out of the kitchen and onto 
the mall. They walked toward Michael’s house. At the door they were stopped by one of 
the bodyguards. “The boss says he’ll come in a separate car. He says for you two to go 
on ahead.” 
Tessio frowned and turned to Hagen. “Hell, he can’t do that; that screws up all my 
arrangements.” 
At that moment three more bodyguards materialized around them. Hagen said gently, “I 
can’t go with you either, Tessio.” 
The ferret-faced caporegime understood everything in a flash of a second. And 
accepted it. There was a moment of physical weakness, and then he recovered. He said 
to Hagen, “Tell Mike it was business, I always liked him.” 
Hagen nodded. “He understands that.” 
Tessio paused for a moment and then said softly, “Tom, can you get me off the hook? 
For old times’ sake?” 
Hagen shook his head. “I can’t,” he said. 
He watched Tessio being surrounded by bodyguards and led into a waiting car. He felt a 
little sick. Tessio had been the best soldier in the Corleone Family; the old Don had 
relied on him more than any other man with the exception of Luca Brasi. It was too bad 
that so intelligent a man had made such a fatal error in judgment so late in life. 

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