[TheStellarEnsemble.com] The Godfather - Mario Puzo

in case. In a couple of days he’ll be all right and then we can see what he wants us to do.Meanwhile we have to keep Sollozzo from doing anything rash. That’s why I want to start youtalking deals with him.”Sonny grunted. “Until he does, I’ve got Clemenza and Tessio looking for him. Maybewe’ll get lucky and solve the whole business.”“You won’t get lucky,” Hagen said. “Sollozzo is too smart.” Hagen paused. “He knowsonce he comes to the table he’ll have to go our way mostly. That’s why he’s stalling. I’mguessing he’s trying to line up support from the other New York Families so that we won’t goafter him when the old man gives us the word.”Sonny frowned. “Why the hell should they do that?”Hagen said patiently, “To avert a big war which hurts everybody and brings the papersand government into the act. Also, Sollozzo will give them a piece of the action. And you knowhow much dough there is in drugs. The Corleone Family doesn’t need it, we have the gambling,which is the best business to have. But the other Families are hungry. Sollozzo is a proven man,they know he can make the operation go on a big scale. Alive he’s money in their pockets, deadhe’s trouble.”Sonny’s face was as Michael had never seen it. The heavy Cupid mouth and bronzed skinseemed gray. “I don’t give a fuck what they want. They better not mess in this fight.”Clemenza and Tessio shifted uneasily in their chairs, infantry leaders who hear theirgeneral rave about storming an impregnable hill no matter what the cost. Hagen said a littleimpatiently, “Come on, Sonny, your father wouldn’t like you thinking that way. You know whathe always says, ‘That’s a waste.’ Sure, we’re not going to let anybody stop us if the old man sayswe go after Sollozzo. But this is not a personal thing, this is business. If we go after the Turk andthe Families interfere, we’ll negotiate the issue. If the Families see that we’re determined to haveSollozzo, they’ll let us. The Don will make concessions in other areas to square things. But don’tgo blood crazy on a thing like this. It’s business. Even the shooting of your father was business,not personal. You should know that by now.”Sonny’s eyes were still hard. “OK. I understand all that. Just so long as you understandthat nobody stands in our way when we want Sollozzo.”Sonny turned to Tessio.” Any leads on Luca?”Tessio shook his head. “None at all. Sollozzo must have snatched him.”100