The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
108
“Yeah,” Hagen said. “He was smarter than you. When the cops came he disappeared. 
He claims he stuck with you while Sollozzo’s car went by. Is that true?” 
“Yeah,” Michael said. “He’s a good kid.” 
“He’ll be taken care of,” Hagen said. “You feeling OK?” His face was concerned. “You 
look lousy.” 
“I’m OK,” Michael said. “What was that police captain’s name?” 
“McCluskey,” Hagen said. “By the way, it might make you feel better to know that the 
Corleone Family finally got up on the scoreboard. Bruno Tattaglia, four o’clock this 
morning.” 
Michael sat up. “How come? I thought we were supposed to sit tight.” 
Hagen shrugged. “After what happened at the hospital Sonny got hard. The button men 
are out all over New York and New Jersey. We made the list last night. I’m trying to hold 
Sonny in, Mike. Maybe you can talk to him. This whole business can still be settled 
without a major war.” 
“I’ll talk to him,” Michael said. “Is there a conference this morning?” 
“Yeah,” Hagen said. “Sollozzo finally got in touch and wants to sit down with us. A 
negotiator is arranging the details. That means we win. Sollozzo knows he’s lost and he 
wants to get out with his life.” Hagen paused. “Maybe he thought we were soft, ready to 
be taken, because we didn’t strike back. Now with one of the Tattaglia sons dead he 
knows we mean business. He really took an awful gamble bucking the Don. By the way, 
we got the confirmation on Luca. They killed him the night before they shot your father. 
In Bruno’s nightclub. Imagine that?” 
Michael said, “No wonder they caught him off guard.” 
* * *
At the houses in Long Beach the entrance to the mall was blocked by a long black car 
parked across its mouth. Two men leaned against the hood of the car. The two houses 
on each side, Michael noticed, had opened windows on their upper floors. Christ, Sonny 
must really mean business. 
Clemenza parked the car outside the mall and they walked inside it. The two guards 
were Clemenza’s men and he gave them a frown of greeting that served as a salute. 
The men nodded their heads in acknowledgment. There were no smiles, no greetings. 

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