The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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terribly innocent for your age. We had to be aware. And you never spoke about him.” 
For the first time Kay was grateful that Michael was never affectionate in his letters. She 
was grateful that her parents hadn’t seen some of her letters. “I never told you about him 
because I thought you’d be horrified about his family.” 
“We were,” Mr. Adams said cheerfully. “By the way, has Michael gotten in touch with 
you?” 
Kay shook her head. “I don’t believe he’s guilty of anything.” 
She saw her parents exchange a glance over the table. Then Mr. Adams said gently, “If 
he’s not guilty and he’s vanished, then perhaps something else happened to him.” 
At first Kay didn’t understand. Then she got up from the table and ran to her room. 
* * *
Three days later Kay Adams got out of a taxi in front of the Corleone mall in Long 
Beach. She had phoned, she was expected. Tom Hagen met her at the door and she 
was disappointed that it was him. She knew he would tell her nothing. 
In the living room he gave her a drink. She had seen a couple of other men lounging 
around the house but not Sonny. She asked Tom Hagen directly, “Do you know where 
Mike is? Do you know where I can get in touch with him?” 
Hagen said smoothly, “We know he’s all right but we don’t know where he is right now. 
When he heard about that captain being shot he was afraid they’d accuse him. So he 
just decided to disappear. He told me he’d get in touch in a few months.” 
The story was not only false but meant to be seen through, he was giving her that much. 
“Did that captain really break his jaw?” Kay asked. 
“I’m afraid that’s true,” Tom said. “But Mike was never a vindictive man. I’m sure that 
had nothing to do with what happened.” 
Kay opened her purse and took out a letter. “Will you deliver this to him if he gets in 
touch with you?” 
Hagen shook his head. “If I accepted that letter. and you told a court of law I accepted 
that letter, it might be interpreted as my having knowledge of his whereabouts. Why 
don’t you just wait a bit? I’m sure Mike will get in touch.” 
She finished her drink and got up to leave. Hagen escorted her to the hall but as he 
opened the door, a woman came in from outside. A short, stout woman dressed in 

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