[TheStellarEnsemble.com] The Godfather - Mario Puzo

Chapter 27Michael Corleone arrived late in the evening and, by his own order, was not met at theairport. Only two men accompanied him: Tom Hagen and a new bodyguard, named Albert Neri.The most lavish suite of rooms in the hotel had been set aside for Michael and his party.Already waiting in that suite were the people it would be necessary for Michael to see.Freddie greeted his brother with a warm embrace. Freddie was much stouter, morebenevolent-looking, cheerful, and far more dandified. He wore an exquisitely tailored gray silkand accessories to match. His hair was razor cut and arranged as carefully as a movie star’s, hisface glowed with perfect barbering and his hands were manicured. He was an altogether differentman than the one who had been shipped out of New York four years before.He leaned back and surveyed Michael fondly. “You look a hell of a lot better now thatyou got your face fixed. Your wife finally talked you into it, huh? How is Kay? When she gonnacome out and visit us out here?”Michael smiled at his brother. “You’re looking pretty good too. Kay would have comeout this time, but she’s carrying another kid and she has the baby to look after. Besides this isbusiness, Freddie, I have to fly back tomorrow night or the morning after.”“You have to eat something first,” Freddie said. “We’ve got a great chef in the hotel,you’ll get the best food you ever ate. Go take your shower and change and everything will be setup right here. I have all the people you want to see lined up, they’ll be waiting around for whenyou’re ready, I just have to call them.”Michael said pleasantly, “Let’s save Moe Greene to the end, OK? Ask Johnny Fontaneand Nino up to eat with us. And Lucy and her doctor friend. We can talk while we eat.” Heturned to Hagen.” Anybody you want to add to that, Tom?”Hagen shook his head. Freddie had greeted him much less affectionately than Michael,but Hagen understood. Freddie was on his father’s shit list and Freddie naturally blamed theConsigliere for not straightening things out. Hagen would gladly have done so, but he didn’tknow why Freddie was in his father’s bad graces. The Don did not give voice to specificgrievances. He just made his displeasure felt.It was after midnight before they gathered around the special dinner table set up inMichael’s suite. Lucy kissed Michael and didn’t comment on his face looking so much better336