The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
194
identification card. “I’m Detective John Phillips from the New York Police Department,” 
he said. He motioned to the other man, a dark-complexioned man with very thick, very 
black eyebrows. “This is my partner, Detective Siriani. Are you Miss Kay Adams?” 
Kay nodded. Phillips said, “May we come in and talk to you for a few minutes. It’s about 
Michael Corleone.” 
She stood aside to let them in. At that moment her father appeared in the small side hall 
that led to his study. “Kay, what is it?” he asked. 
Her father was a gray-haired, slender, distinguished-looking man who not only was the 
pastor of the town Baptist church but had a reputation in religious circles as a scholar. 
Kay really didn’t know her father well, he puzzled her, but she knew he loved her even if 
he gave the impression he found her uninteresting as a person. Though they had never 
been close, she trusted him. So she said simply, “These men are detectives from New 
York. They want to ask me questions about a boy I know.” 
Mr. Adams didn’t seem surprised. “Why don’t we go into my study?” he said. 
Detective Phillips said gently, “We’d rather talk to your daughter alone, Mr. Adams.” 
Mr. Adams said courteously, “That depends on Kay, I think. My dear, would-you rather 
speak to these gentlemen alone or would you prefer to have me present? Or perhaps 
your mother?” 
Kay shook her head. “I’ll talk to them alone.” 
Mr. Adams said to Phillips, “You can use my study. Will you stay for lunch?” The two 
men shook their heads. Kay led them into the study. 
They rested uncomfortably on the edge of the couch as she sat in her father’s big 
leather chair. Detective Phillips opened the conversation by saying, “Miss Adams, have 
you seen or heard from Michael Corleone at any time in the last three weeks?” The one 
question was enough to warn her. Three weeks ago she had read the Boston 
newspapers with their headlines about the killing of a New York police captain and a 
narcotics smuggler named Virgil Sollozzo. The newspaper had said it was part of the 
gang war involving the Corleone Family. 
Kay shook her head. “No, the last time I saw him he was going to see his father in the 
hospital. That was perhaps a month ago.” 
The other detective said in a harsh voice, “We know all about that meeting. Have you 
seen or heard from him since then?” 

---