Chapter 16 Section Eleven

Police Officer Marco McCluskey sat in his office, brandishing three paper bags full of gambling tickets.He frowned, trying to make out the marks on the lottery.Whether you can recognize the markings on it is a matter of great importance.The gambling tickets in the paper bag had been taken by his commando the night before when they raided the casino run by the Corleone family.Now, that casino owner must buy back those tickets, or every gambler could claim he's won, and the owner could lose his fortune. Police officer McCluskey recognized the markings on these tickets as very important, because he was going to sell them to the casino owner, and he was afraid of being cheated and selling them for less money.If the total value of the bet is fifty thousand dollars, he will get five thousand dollars when he sells it.But if the stakes are large, and the total value of the lottery is $100,000, or even $200,000, the selling price will naturally be correspondingly much higher.McCluskey was twiddling the paper bag, deciding to rip off the boss first and let the casino owner make an offer himself.As long as he bids, the true value of the lottery may be known.

McCluskey sat in the police office and looked at the clock on the wall.When the time came, he should pick up the fat Sollozzo and send him to a meeting with the Corleone family representatives.McCloskey headed to the closet, changed into civilian clothes, and called his wife, saying he wasn't home for dinner tonight and had work outside.He never confides his secrets to his wife.She thought they were living off his police salary, McCluskey amused at the thought, and snorted.His mother thought so too, but she just didn't know what he learned from childhood.His father showed him the trick to making money with practical actions.

His father was a police sergeant sergeant, and he would take his son for a walk around the district every week.McCluskey Sr. would always introduce his six-year-old son to the store owner: "This is my little boy." The store owner would always shake his hand and compliment him sweetly, then open the cash box and take out five or ten dollars to give to Thu.After a day's shopping, little Marco McCloskey felt elated with his pockets full of banknotes.His father's friends liked him very much, and they would give him some money when they saw him.Of course, my father deposited the money in the bank, saying that he would use it when he went to college in the future, but in fact, Xiao Ma could only use half of it at most.

At that time, Marco’s police uncle asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, and he bit his tongue childishly: “Be a policeman.” They all laughed.So, in the end, even though his father wanted him to go to college, he went to work as a policeman after high school. He was a competent policeman, a brave policeman, and those strong-bodied hooligans who were making trouble in the streets and alleys ran away when they saw him, and finally beat him out of sight.He's a very tough cop and a very fair cop at the same time.He never takes his little boy from shop to shop to shopkeepers looking for gifts and ignores garbage and parking violations; he pockets the fines because he feels It's his earned money.When he patrols on foot, he never sneaks into movie theaters or restaurants like some policemen do. Especially when patrolling at night in winter, he is more loyal to his duty and never runs around.He always walked back and forth according to the prescribed route, and he really made a lot of contributions.When drunks and drunks came from Farm Street to beg him to beat them, he drove them away with his fists and kicks.They suffered a loss, and they would never dare to come again next time.The businessmen in his area appreciated his style and publicly expressed their admiration for him.

He was also very disciplined, and the casino owners in his area knew that he never caused trouble for personal extra money, and he was content with his share of the police department's total hunting.His name was on the same bribe list as other cops, but he never personally extorted money.He is an impartial policeman who only accepts bribes through official channels, so he was promoted in the police station. He raised a large family of four sons, all of whom went to Fordham.Since then, Mark McCluskey has climbed from sergeant sergeant to second lieutenant and finally captain.His family wanted nothing, and it was during this period that McCluskey gained a reputation as a "money grabber."Casino owners in his area paid more for protection than casino owners in any area of ​​the city.Perhaps this was due to the expense of putting four boys through college.

McCloskey sees nothing wrong with making some extra money through official channels.Why should his children go to a county-run junior college or some cheap college in the south?What exactly is this for?Is it because the police station can't afford more money, and their families and children deserve not to be properly taken care of?He defended families with his life; his records show that he was repeatedly honored for taking down robbers, bodyguards, pimps, and, oftentimes, courageously engaged in a couple. One shootout.He beat such people so hard to show their faces.He made his corner of New York City a safe place for ordinary people, and he deserved more than the meager $100 a week he was paid.But he doesn't resent his low salary, because he understands the philosophy that people don't kill themselves.

Bruno Tattaglia was an old friend of his.Bruno also went to Fordham, where he was a classmate of one of his sons.Later, Bruno opened a nightclub, and whenever the McCloskeys occasionally went to the streets for entertainment at night, they ate and drank in the nightclub while enjoying singing and dancing performances.On New Year's Eve, they would receive engraved invitation cards from the manager, and they would be invited to the best table every time. Bruno would introduce them to the celebrities performing in his nightclub every time. Some are famous singers, some are Hollywood stars.Of course, Bruno sometimes asks him for a little favor, like when he wants to hire someone with a dirty history and has to have the stain removed before he can get a license to perform in a bar, usually a pretty girl because it's illegal Prostitution or opportunistic theft and have a file at the police station.McCluskey says yes every time.

McCluskey's strategy: Never appear to understand someone's intentions.When Sollozzo suggested to him that Don Corleone at the hospital should try to be left unprotected, he didn't ask why, just how much.When Sollozzo said $10,000, McCluskey knew the trick.He agreed without hesitation.One of the biggest mob bosses, Corleone has more back doors in politics than any well-connected politician.Anyone who knocked him out would be doing a great deed to the country.McCluskey got his hands on the money first, and then he got the job done.He was furious when he got a call from Sollozzo saying there were still two members of the Corleone family in front of the hospital.It turned out that he locked up all of Tessio's men; he also removed the detective guards from the door of Corleone's ward.But right now, as a principled person, he must return the ten thousand dollars, which he had already calculated and set aside as a fund for his grandson to go to school.So he came to the hospital in that rage and beat Michael Corleone.

However, it is a blessing to lose one's horse.He met Sollozzo at the Tattaglia nightclub, and they struck an even better deal.This time McCluskey still didn't ask any questions, because he knew all the answers.He just settled on how much he was due.It never occurred to him that he was in danger.Anyone would think that it would be too far-fetched for anyone to try to kill a police captain in New York City in a moment of insanity.The toughest member of the gang had to stand obediently and not move if the lowest-level patrolman wanted to slap his face.There is absolutely no advantage in killing the police.This is because: if the police are killed, many desperadoes will be shot dead for resisting arrest or trying to flee the scene.In such a situation, who would dare to take risks?

McCloskey sighed, ready to go.Blessings never come together, and misfortunes never come singly.His wife's sister had just died after fighting cancer for several years in Ireland, and he had spent a lot of money treating her.Now it's the burial expenses again, and he has to spend more money.His uncle and aunt in Ireland often need some help to maintain their sweet potato farm.Sending money also has another purpose.He does not spare money.He and his wife were treated like a returning king and queen when they returned home.Perhaps next summer they returned home, partly because the war was over, and partly because of the steady flow of extra money.McCluskey told his patrol secretary that he was there wherever he was needed.He has always believed that, personally, there is no need to take any precautions.He could always claim that Sollozzo was an informer he was going to meet.After leaving the police station, he walked a few blocks, hailed a taxi, and drove straight to the house where he had agreed to meet Sollozzo.

Hagen had to make all the arrangements for Michael to leave the United States, get him a fake passport, a seaman's certificate, and book him a berth on an Italian freighter that would berth in the port of Sicily.Several secret envoys were ordered to fly to Sicily on the same day to discuss with the gang leaders in the mountains to prepare a hiding place for him. Sonny arranged for a rock-solid driver to pick up Michael by car so that he could get in the car as soon as he came out of the hotel where the meeting was being held.The chosen driver was Tessio himself, who had actually recommended himself.The selected car looks dilapidated, but the engine on it is very good.The license plate on the car is fake, and it is impossible to trace the owner of the car with this car.This car is dedicated to number one special duty. Michael spent the day with Clemenza, practicing with the miniature pistol.The caliber is only 2.2 mm, and the bullets inside are soft. When punched in, there is only a hole like a pinhole. When it touches the human body, it explodes, leaving a big hole at the exit.He found that the miniature pistol was very accurate when fired five paces away from the target, and the bullets would miss the target any farther away.The trigger was not flexible enough, Clemenza repaired it, and it is much more flexible to pull.When the gun fired, there was a sound, and they decided to let it go, because they wanted to prevent naive bystanders from misunderstanding the situation and intervening rashly out of common man's courage.As soon as the gun is fired, bystanders duck. During the training process, Clemenza has been giving him ideas. "Put the gun away as soon as you've used it. Keep your arm straight against your body and let the gun slide from your hand. That way, no one will notice. People may think the gun is still on you, and it may Stare in your face. You can walk away from the scene quickly, but don't run. Don't look anyone in the eye, but don't look away as if you can't look directly at them. Remember, the bystanders are afraid of you; I'm sure they are. No one will intervene. Tessio is waiting for you in the car as soon as you step out the door. As soon as you get in the car, Don't worry about anything else. He's in charge, don't worry about accidents, and you'll be amazed how well things are going. Now put on this hat and let me see how you look." After that, he put a gray fedora on Michael's head, and Michael, who never wore a hat, made a face.Clemenza then explained to him the benefits of wearing a hat. "Put on a hat in case anyone recognizes you. When we explain the situation to the witness, the witness will also have an excuse to change the testimony. Remember, Mike, don't worry about fingerprints, the gun stock and trigger are used The special belt is wrapped. You don't touch the rest of the gun. Remember that." Michael said, "Has Sollozzo found out where Sollozzo is taking me?" Clemenza shrugged. "Not yet. Sollozzo is very careful right now, but there is no need to worry that he will hurt you. The contacts are in our hands. If you don't come back, we won't let him go. In case you have any problems, we will Just ask the contact person to settle the account, and he will be responsible." "Then, why did the contact person risk his life like this?" Michael asked. "He's got a lot of money," said Clemenza, "a small fortune. Besides, he's an important figure in the big families. He knows Sollozzo won't let him lose one." Hair. For Sollozzo, your life is not as valuable as the life of the contact, it is as simple as that. You will be safe, but you have to prepare for the worst." "How bad is the situation going to be?" Michael asked. "It's going to be bad enough," Clemenza replied. "That means there's going to be an all-out war, everything the Tattaglias take on the Corleones. Most of the other families are going to side with the Tattaglias. This winter, the Ministry of Health will Lots of dead bodies will be picked up." Saying that, he shrugged his shoulders. "This sort of thing happens every ten years or so, and it's the inevitable result of a certain level of bad feeling built up. If we let people lead us on little things, they'll push us and drive us to the limit. You can't let them have the sweetness in the first place. Just like you shouldn't let Hitler have the sweetness in Munich, you shouldn't let him take advantage of so much at the meeting. Let him take such a big advantage, it is tantamount to Looking for such a big hardship." Michael had heard this historical lesson from his father in 1938, before the war officially broke out.If the big gangster family had presided over the State Department back then, World War II would never have broken out, Michael couldn't help laughing thinking about it. He drove back to the mall, to the old man's house, which Sonny still made his headquarters.Michael wondered how long Sonny would be able to hide in the safety of the mall.At that time, he must venture out.Now Sonny was dozing on the couch.On the coffee table lay the remains of his late lunch: steak scraps, bread crumbs, and a half bottle of whiskey. His father's office, which had always been neat and tidy, was now a mess of furniture.Michael shook his brother awake and said: "What's the matter with you, haven't you changed your lazy habits and tidied up the house?" Sonny yawned and said: "What are you to inspect the barracks? Mike, I haven't found out where they plan to take you. Those two bastards, Sollozzo and McCloskey, are crafty. If you can't find out when the time comes, Damn, how can we send you a gun?" "Can't I carry a gun with me?" Michael asked. "Maybe they don't search me. Even if they search me, as long as I hide it cleverly, maybe I won't find it. Taking a step back, even if it is found, it's not a big deal. Just let people take the gun away, and it doesn't matter." Sonny shook his head. "That won't work," he said. "We've got to play it safe this time with the Sollozzo bastard; McCloskey is the stupider one, the slower one, and you'll be fine if you slow him down. Did Clemenza tell you that?" Do you have to throw away the gun?" "Told me a million times," Michael said. Sonny stood up and stretched. "Little ghost, how does your palate feel?" "Felt bad," Michael said. He felt labor pains on the left side of his face and felt numb where the wire was placed.He snatched the whiskey bottle from the table, brought it to his mouth, and swigged it.The pain subsided. Sonny said, "Hang on, Mike, this isn't the time to kill the time with booze." Michael retorted, "Oh, Christ, Sonny's the boss. I'm a battle-hardened man, and I've seen better guys than Sollozzo, and I've been through tougher tests. Does he have a mortar? Does he have any?" Is there air cover? Is there heavy artillery? Is there mines? He's just a nice son of a son of a bitch with a lord policeman to keep him company. Anyone who makes up their minds to kill them will have no trouble. Here's The key is to make up your mind, if they get beaten, they will never know who beat them." Tom Hagen entered.He nodded to them and walked towards the telephone with the false address registered.He made a few phone calls, then shook his head at Sonny. "There's not a single sniff out of it," he said. "Only Sollozzo himself knows the location, and he won't tell anyone else unless it's finally necessary." The phone rang.Sonny answered the phone himself, and though no one in the room was talking, he still held up a hand for silence.As he listened, he took notes on his pad.Then he said, "Okay, he'll be there in due time." After that, he hung up the phone. Sonny laughed loudly: "That son of a bitch, Sollozzo, is really up to something. The arrangement is this: He and Sergeant McCluskey will pick up Mike in front of Jack Dempser's Bar on Broadway at eight o'clock tonight. They'll go to another place for a meeting. Beware. Mike and Sollozzo talk in Italian so the Irishman can't understand what they're talking about. He even told me, don't worry, he knows that McCloskey has nothing but 'coins' He doesn't understand a single Italian word other than this one; and at the same time, he has found out about you, he knows you can understand the Sicilian dialect." Michael said calmly: "I've almost lost my Sicilian dialect, but it's okay, we won't talk for long." Tom Hagen reminded: "If the contact person doesn't come, we can't let Mike go. Has the two sides negotiated this?" Clemenza nodded. "The contact was at my house, playing poker with three of my men, and they waited for my call before letting him go." Sonny sat back in the leather upholstered armchair and slouched. "How can we find out where the meeting is now, Tom? Why hasn't our insider in the Tattaglia family sent any information?" Hagen shrugged. "Sollozzo is fucking good, he's playing with his head in his head and no cover. He thinks one officer is enough, one officer is safer and more important than a few guns, that's what he thinks It also makes sense. We must send someone to follow Mike to strive for the best results, but also to prepare for the worst." Sonny shook his head. "It's useless. Anyone who makes up his mind can shake off his tail. Getting rid of his tail must be the top priority for people to implement." It was now five o'clock in the afternoon, and Sonny said sadly: "Maybe we should also allow Mike to kill anyone in the car that comes to pick him up." Hagen shook his head and said, "If Sollozzo isn't in the car, then we're in for nothing. Damn, we gotta find out where Sollozzo plans to take Mike." Clemenza interjected, "I guess we should wonder why he's so secretive?" Michael quickly took over and said: "Because there is a lot of risk here, why would he let us know something that he can keep secret from us? Also, he feels that there is danger inside, even if there is a police officer who is always with him, he can't avoid it." Be suspicious." With an idea, Hagen flicked his hand and twirled his fingers at the same time. "That detective, that guy called Phillips. Sonny, why don't you give him a call? Maybe he can find out where the officer is. McCluskey doesn't care who knows where he's going." Sonny grabbed the phone and dialed the number.He whispered something into the microphone and hung up. "He called us back," Sonny said. They waited for about thirty minutes, and the phone rang, and it was Phillips.Sonny made some notes on the pad as he listened, and then hung up.Sonny scowled. "And now we've got it," he said. "Officer McCluskey always leaves a message wherever he goes, so that he can be found. He's scheduled to be in the Blanche tonight from eight to ten o'clock. 'Clear Moon' restaurant in Sri Lanka. Does anyone know about this restaurant?" Tessio said confidently: "I know, that place is quite ideal. The place is not big, and it is separated into rooms, and each room is spacious enough for several people to talk in private. The quality of the food is good. The customers are different It is ideal for people to eat their own food without interfering with each other.” As he spoke, he stood up and leaned against Sonny's desk, made a sketch with a stubbed cigarette butt, pointed and said: "Here's the gate. Mike, when you're done, come out straight out, go left, and turn a corner. As soon as I see you, turn on the headlights and drive slowly, as you walk Get in the car. If you get entangled, just yell, and I'll try to free you. Clemenza, you have to act quickly, and send someone to put the gun in the agreed place. The toilet over there It’s old-fashioned. There’s a gap between the back of the water tank and the wall, so ask your people to tape the gun to the gap behind the water tank. Mike, after you got in the car, they searched you to prove that you didn’t have a gun. They may let their guard down on you. After arriving at the restaurant, wait a while before saying that you need to go to the toilet. Don't panic, it would be better to ask for permission first, and first pretend to be panicked. Naturally. That way, they won't think of going anywhere else. But when you come out of the toilet, don't delay. As soon as you get back to the table, don't sit down and shoot. Don't take it by chance. Steady. Shoot in the head, two shots each, and get out as fast as you can." Sonny had been listening intently. "I think it's going to take a very smart, very reliable guy to put the guns where they're supposed to be," he said to Clemenza. "I can't let my brother come out of the bathroom empty-handed because he can't find a gun." Clemenza said emphatically, "The safety will go there." "Well," said Sonny, "then let's do our part and do it." Tessio and Clemenza both left.Tom Hagen says: "Shall I drive Mike downtown?" "Not from you," Sonny said. "I want you to stay here. We're going to get down to business as soon as Mike's mission is over, and I'm going to need you then. Have you got all the papers connected?" ?” Hagen nodded. "As soon as things got out, I just kept giving them promotional material." Sonny stood up, went to Michael, and shook his hand. "That's it, kid," he said. "You can go on your way. You can't see your mother before you leave. I will explain to her. When the time is right, send a letter to your girlfriend, okay?" "Okay," Mike said, "how long do you think it will be before I come back?" "A year at least," Sonny said. Tom Hagen interrupted: "The old man will figure it out then, and maybe earlier. But, Mike, you can't count on that. Timing depends on a lot of factors, like, what kind of plot we give to reporters; To what extent does the bureau also want to prevaricate the matter; whether other big families react strongly. There will definitely be a boil in the future, and there will be a disturbance. At present, this is the only thing we can predict." Michael held Hagen's hand tightly. "Just do what you can," he said. "One more time, it will be three years away from home, and I have an opinion." Hagen said softly: "It's still time to think about it later, Mike, they can find someone else, and they might as well go back and reconsider another solution. Maybe there is no need to kill Sollozzo." Michael laughed out loud. "We make a lot of sense to ourselves no matter what we do," he said, "but this is the first time that the design is right. I've had an easy life all my life, and now it's my turn to suffer. It's time." "You shouldn't let a broken jaw sway your opinion," Hagen said. "McCloskey is an idiot, needless to say. The problem is always a business problem, not a personal relationship problem." Again he noticed that Michael Corleone's face had sunk into a strange expression, strangely resembling the old man. "Tom, don't be fooled by others. Everything is personal, after all. Every single thing in business is personal. Every meal we eat, every dollar we spend Heaps of shit, every day of his life, is personal. Some people call it business. Well, let's call it business. But business is really personal. You know where I got it from This one? From the old man, from my old man, from my godfather. As far as my old man is concerned, even if lightning struck one of his friends, he would take it personally. I was in the Navy The team, he sees it as personal. That's what makes him great. Great old man, he sees everything as personal. Like God, he knows every sparrow's tail. or how it fell off, he also knows. Don't you? Do you understand the mystery of it? Anyone who regards accidents as an affront to personal dignity will not encounter accidents. Yes, I'm kind of behind on that. Well, I'm behind if I'm behind, but I'm catching up. It's true that I take the jaw injury as a personal issue; Take the issue of Zoe's attempt to kill my dad as personal." He laughed out loud. "Please tell my old man that I learned all this from him, and that I am very glad to have this opportunity to repay him for his guidance. He is a good father." He paused for a moment, and said affectionately to Hagen, "You know, as far as I can remember, he never hit me, or Sonny, or Freddie. Certainly not Connie, or even Yelled at her. Tell me, Tom, how many people do you think the old man killed." Tom changed the subject. "What I'm trying to say is that you haven't learned a little bit. The way you talked just now is not in line with his usual style. Some things have to be done, and you just do it. You don't have to talk about it at all. You don't have to try to prove it What makes sense and what doesn't make sense. Just do what you do, and forget about it after you've done it." Michael Corleone frowned and said calmly, "There is a belief that keeping Sollozzo alive is dangerous to the Don's whole family. Do you, as a consultant, agree with that?" "Agreed," said Hagen. "Well," said Michael, "I'll have to kill him." Michael Corleone was standing in front of the Jack Dempser restaurant on Broadway waiting to be picked up.He looked at his watch. It was five minutes to eight.Sollozzo seemed to be on time, and Michael arrived early just to be on the safe side.He has been waiting for fifteen minutes. All the way from Long Beach to downtown he was trying to forget what he had said to Hagen.Because if he never forgets what he said, then he will die if he goes here, which means he has set foot on a dead end irretrievably.However, after tonight, will the development of the situation turn for the better?Michael thought terrible things: if he kept talking about that nonsense, he'd be dead after tonight.He must have his mind on business.Sollozzo is not a human target, but McCloskey is a rock that cannot be smashed.He felt pain in his wired jaw, a pain he welcomed because it kept him alert. Broadway was not so crowded on this cold winter night, even at the opening hours of the theater's night shows.He winces when a long black car pulls up to the side of the road.The driver leaned forward, opened the front door, and said, "Come in, Mike." The driver was a little hooligan with greasy hair and an unbuttoned shirt.He didn't know the kid, but he got in the car anyway.In the back seat were officers McCloskey and Sollozzo. Sollozzo stretched his hand over the back of the chair, and Michael shook his hand.Hands are hard, warm, and dry.Sollozzo said: "Mike, I am very happy that you are here. I hope we can clear everything up. This is all terrible. The development and changes of things are not in line with my original ideas. It shouldn't be." Michael Corleone said calmly, "I hope we can get it over with tonight. I don't want my father to be bothered." "He won't be bothered anymore," Sollozzo said earnestly. "I swear to you, he won't be bothered again. If I don't do what I say, I'll kill my son. Let's be open and honest in our talks. I hope you're not as easyheaded as your big brother Sonny He has a fever, so we can't talk about serious things with him." Sergeant McCloskey snorted like a pig and said: "He's a good boy, no problem." He leaned forward and gave Michael a warm pat on the shoulder. "Mike, I'm sorry about that night. I'm too old for this line of work, and too quick to lose my temper. I feel like I'm going to retire soon. I can't stand this line of tantrums. I You can imagine what it's like to be angry all day long." Then he groaned and searched Michael thoroughly to see if he was armed. Michael saw a slight smile from the driver as the car headed west, playing tricks rather than trying to shake off the pursuers.The car drove onto the west road and sped forward, getting in and out of the passing cars for a while.If there is a car following behind, you must still get in and out.Then, to Michael's dismay, the car turned off onto the side road and headed straight for the Washington Bridge, which they were going to cross into New Jersey.Who had given Sonny the intel on the location of the meeting?In fact, false information was provided. The car drove onto the approach bridge in a roundabout way, and then onto the main bridge, leaving the brightly lit city behind.Michael's face was always pretending to be indifferent.They were going to throw him into the swamp, and the scheming Sollozzo changed the meeting place at the last minute, but when they were almost crossing the line, the driver made a sharp turn.The heavy car bumped into a stone divider, jumped high, jumped onto the one-way street, and headed back toward New York City.Both McCluskey and Sollozzo looked back to see if a car was also making a sharp turn to follow.Then they left the bridge and headed straight for the East Bronx.They only walked on the back street, and there were no cars behind them.At this time, it was almost nine o'clock.They were finally relieved that no one was following them.Sollozzo took out his cigarette and offered McCloskey and Michael a smoke.But neither of them wanted to smoke.He lit it himself and smoked it.He said to the driver: "Great job, I'll keep that in mind." Ten minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a small restaurant in an Italian colony.The streets were deserted; only a few people were still eating inside because it was late.Michael was worried at first that the driver would go in with them, but fortunately, the driver stayed outside to guard the car.The driver was not previously mentioned by the contact person, nor was the driver mentioned by anyone else.Sollozzo had technically broken the agreement by getting another driver to drive with him, but Michael decided to keep quiet about it because he knew they were afraid to mention it and ruin the chances of a successful meeting. The three of them sat at the only round table in the restaurant because Sollozzo refused to sit in a booth.Besides the three of them, there were only two people left in the restaurant.Michael suspected that the two men were the bodyguards that Sollozuo had settled down.But it doesn't matter, when the time comes, he will also make a surprise attack on them, catching them off guard. McCluskey asked with genuine concern: "Is the Italian food really good here?" Once again, Sollozzo assured him that the food was good. "If you don't believe me, just try the veal. The veal here is the best in New York City." The waiter brought them a bottle of wine.Oddly enough, McCloskey didn't want to drink. "I want to be the only Irishman who never drinks," he said. "I've seen a lot of people get into trouble because of alcoholism." 索洛佐以安慰的语气对警官说：“我打算用意大利语同迈克尔谈话，这并不是因为我不相信你，而是因为我不能用英语把我的意思说得恰如其分。而我要使迈克尔相信我是怀着善意的，相信双方在今晚就达成协议对大家都有利。你不要因此而感到受了奚落，要知道这并不是因为我不相信你。” 警官麦克罗斯基对他们龇牙咧嘴地冷笑了一下。 “没关系，你俩只管说你们的意大利语吧，”他说，“我可要集中精力干我的小牛肉和细条实心面。” 索洛佐开始用西西里方言对迈克尔说话。 “你必须明白我同你爸爸之间发生的问题纯粹是生意上的问题。我个人对考利昂老头子非常尊敬，巴不得能有机会为他效劳。但是你也必须明白，你爸爸已经老朽了，他成了生意路上的绊脚石。我目前从事的生意是有奔头的，也是未来的潮流，大家都能成百万美元地赚钱。但是你爸爸因为一些不切实际的清规戒律就踟蹰不前，阻碍了生意的前进。这样，他把他个人的意见甚至要强加于我这样的人身上。对，对，我知道，他对我说过：'你自个儿去干吧，那是你自己的生意。'但是，我俩都知道那是不现实的。我们一定会互相触到对方的痛处。他实际上等于对我说，我的生意是做不成的。我是个有自尊心的人，不能让别人把他的意志强加于我，因此也就发生了必然要发生的事情。让我把话讲明白，我是有后台的，纽约所有的大家族都是我的后台，而塔塔格里亚家族是跟我搭伙干的。如果这场争吵继续下去，那么考利昂家族就会孤立，陷于四面楚歌。如果你爸爸的身体还好，那也许还可以顶得下去。而从另一方面讲，老大的为人根本不能同教父相提并论，我这话并没有贬的意思。而爱尔兰籍参谋黑根，论威望，也不能同劲科·阿班旦杜同日而语。愿上帝降福劲科的灵魂安息。因此，我提出讲和，提出休战。咱们还是先停止一切敌对行动吧，等你爸爸恢复健康，可以参加讨论的时候再说。由于我好说歹说，同时还提出补偿，塔塔格里亚家族才同意不为布鲁诺报仇。咱们之间会有和平的，同时我也得有个谋生之道，在我这一行里做点买卖。我并不要求你们合作，但我要求你们考利昂家族不要干扰。这，就是我的建议。我认为你是有权表示同意并达成协议的。” 迈克尔用西西里方言说：“请进一步给我谈谈你打算怎样开始你的生意，我们家族在里面究竟扮演什么角色。还有，我们从这种生意里能得到多少红利。” “那么，你是想听听整个方案的详细内容罗？”索洛佐问道。 迈克尔严肃地说：“头等重要的问题是我必须得到可靠的保证：我爸爸的性命不再受到威胁。” 索洛佐举起一只手，很富于表情。 “我能给你什么保证哪？我是受到追击的对象，已经失去了机会。朋友啊，你把我抬得大高了。我没有那么能干。” 迈克尔现在确信，对方会谈的目的只不过是争取几天时间而已。索洛佐会再一次冒险杀害老头子。眼前妙就妙在“土耳其人”看不起他，把他当作小阿飞。因此，迈克尔感到一种莫名其妙的甜香的凉气充满全身，脸上却故意装出难受的样子。索洛佐单刀直入地问： "What happened to you?" 迈克尔显出难为情的神态，说： “尿憋得受不了，我到厕所去一下，可以吗？” 索洛佐用他那黑色的眼睛全神贯注地端详他的面部表情，然后侧过身子，蛮不讲理地把手伸到他的腿叉那儿上下左右到处乱搜，看是否有枪。迈克尔显出生气的样子。麦克罗斯基直截了当地说： “我已经搜过了。我搜过千千万万个亡命之徒的身，没有出过差错。他身上没有枪。” 索洛佐对这一点很不高兴，虽然没有任何理由，但他对这一点就是不高兴。他向对面桌子旁坐着的一个人递了个眼色，向厕所方向扬了扬眉。那个人稍稍点了一下头，表示他把厕所已经查看过了，里面没有人。索洛佐才勉强表示同意他说： “别耽搁太久。” 他的触觉实在灵敏得惊人。 迈克尔站起来，走进厕所。小便池上面有一条粉红色的香皂是放在小铁丝篮里的。他走进一个隔间，真的想小便，尿憋得差点漏出来。他很快地撒完了尿，就伸到水箱后面摸到了用胶布固定在那儿的微型手枪。他把胶布撕开，取出手枪。迅速插在裤腰带上，把上衣拉展，盖好，扣上钮子。他洗了洗手，湿了湿头发，还用手帕擦去水龙头上留下的指印。然后，他走出了厕所。 索洛佐在那儿没有动，脸正面对着厕所的门，乌黑的眼睛闪耀着机警的光芒。迈克尔对他微笑一下。 “现在我可以谈话了，”他松了一口气，说道。 警官麦克罗斯基在专心地吃着刚端上来的那盘小牛肉细条实心面。靠墙坐着的那个人，原来是全神贯注，一动不动，现在显然也松懈下来了。 迈克尔又坐了下来。他想起克莱门扎给他所说的：“不要坐下来，从厕所出来就开枪。”他没有这样着急，其原因不是出于本能的警觉就是出于单纯的惊恐。他预感到，要是他做一个急促动作，就会给人家拦住。现在他不感到紧张了，刚才可能给吓坏了。他感到高兴的是，现在他不是站着而是坐着了。他颤抖的双腿实在软弱无力。 索洛佐向他侧着身子。迈克尔哪，他的肚子给餐桌遮住了，一面装做注意听，一面悄悄地解开了上衣钮子。索洛佐对他说什么，他连一句也没有听进去。他所听到的只是一些卿卿咕咕的声响而已。他的头脑给热血冲击得嗡嗡作响，什么话也听不见。餐桌下面，他伸出右手去摸那支插在裤腰带上的手枪。他把枪抽出来了，恰在此刻，堂倌走过来问他们还要些什么；索洛佐回头给堂倌说话去了。迈克尔用左手把桌子猛地一推，他右手握着的枪差点抵着了索洛佐的脑壳。索洛佐的反应也迅速极了：迈克尔刚一动，他就一个箭步闪开。但是，迈克尔究竟更年轻一些，反应也更敏捷一些，扣了一下扳机。子弹刚好打中索洛佐的眼睛和耳朵之间的地方，子弹从另一边迸了出来，炸出了一大团血，血和头骨碎片四处飞溅，也溅满了给吓得呆若木鸡的堂倌的衣服。迈克尔本能地认为一颗子弹已经足够了。索洛佐在最后一刹那回过头来，迈克尔清楚地看到索洛佐眼睛里的生命之光熄灭了。看得清清楚楚，就像看到一根蜡烛熄灭了那样。 只用了一秒钟，迈克尔就转过手枪，对准了麦克罗斯基。这位警官以旁观者的惊讶神色直瞪着索洛佐，仿佛这与他没有关系。他似乎还没有觉察到自己所面临的危险，手里拿着的叉子还叉着小牛肉，举在那儿一动不动；他的眼睛转过来瞅着迈克尔。他脸上和眼睛里的表情蕴藏着信心和愤怒，似乎他现在正等着迈克尔投降或逃跑。迈克尔向他微笑着扣动了扳机。这一枪没有打准，没有击中致命处，打到麦克罗斯基那像牛一样的粗脖子上。他呼呼地大声喘气，活像吞了一大口牛肉，咽不下去似的。他从碎裂的肺里咳血的时候，像是用喷雾器喷出来的一样，空中弥漫着血雾。迈克尔开了第二枪，打穿了他那披满白发的脑瓜盖。 空中弥漫着粉红色的雾。迈克尔向靠墙坐着的那个人转过身来。这个人没有动，像是给吓瘫了，小心翼翼地把手亮在桌面上，故意转过脸去。堂棺倌蹒蹒跚跚地向厨房退去，脸上带着惊恐的神色。索洛佐仍然像坐在原来的椅子上，身上的侧面靠着桌子。麦克罗斯基那笨重的身子垮下去了，从椅子上滑下来，掉到地板上。迈克尔垂下胳膊，让枪从手中滑脱，沿着身子掉下去，没有什么响声。他看到靠墙坐的那个人和堂倌都没有注意到他把枪丢了下去。他跨了几步就到门口，自己开门出去了。索洛佐的汽车仍然还停在马路边，但是不见司机的影子。迈克尔朝左，绕过了拐弯处。一辆汽车的前灯亮了，这辆破烂不堪的小轿车停在他跟前，车门也同时打开了。他一步跨了进去，汽车“呜呜”地开走了。他认出开车的是忒希奥，忒希奥那端庄的脸板得像大理石。 “你把索洛佐干上了没有？”忒希奥问。 这时，迈克尔对忒希奥所用的“干上了”这个习语特别注意。这个习语通常用于男女之间的暧昧关系。在目前这个场合，忒希奥使用这个习语，是很有趣的。 “他们两个一起——”迈克尔说。 “保险吗？”忒希奥问。 汽车里有一套让迈克尔换的衣服。二十分钟之后，他登上了一艘开往西西里的意大利货轮。两小时之后，货轮启航了，迈克尔从船舱里可以看到纽约市的灯火恰似地狱里的鬼火那样燃烧着。他感到大大地轻松了。他现在离开纽约了，这种轻松之感，过去也曾有过。他记得有一次他所在的那个海军陆战师在一个岛屿强行登陆时，他给抬了下来。战斗仍然在进行，但是他因受了点轻伤就被转运到轮船上的医院里。他现在所感到的轻松之感也就是当年从火线上撤下来时的压倒一切的轻松之感。地狱看来要闹个天翻地覆，但是他总算离开了。 在索洛佐和警官麦克罗斯基遭谋杀后的第二天，纽约市各警察局的上尉和中尉警官都发布禁令说：在谋杀警官麦克罗斯基的凶手被捉拿归案之前，严禁赌博，严禁娼妓，严禁签订任何密约。在全市进行突然袭击的大搜捕开始了，一切非法生意瘫痪了。 那天的后半天，各大家族派来了一个密使问考利昂家族是否打算交出凶手。各大家族得到的答复是：“那件事同考利昂家族无关。”就在那天晚上，一颗炸弹在长滩镇的林荫道上爆炸了，有一辆汽车突然开过来停在铁链封锁线跟前，扔了一个炸弹就“呜”地一声开跑了。那天晚上，考利昂家族系统中的两个基层人员正在格林威治村的一家小小的意大利饭店安安静静地吃饭的时候，给人杀害了。五大家族1946年大战爆发了。