Omerta - Mario Puzo [105]
“You think it’s funny, one of your Mafia jokes,” Cilke said. “I’ll wipe that smile off your face in two seconds.”
He turned to Nicole. “First, the Bureau demands that you tell us the true circumstances of how you got this information. Not that phony story your cousin gave. I’m surprised at you, counselor. I’m thinking of charging you as coconspirator.”
Nicole said coolly, “You can try, but I suggest you take it to your director first.”
“Who told you about the attack on my house?” Cilke asked. “We want the true informant.”
Astorre shrugged. “Take it or leave it,” he said.
“Neither,” Cilke said coldly. “Let’s get this straight. You are just another dirtbag. Another murderer. I know you blew up Di Benedetto and Washington. We’re looking into the disappearance of the two Sturzo brothers in L.A. You killed three of Portella’s hoods, and you took part in a kidnapping. We’re going to get you in the long run. And then you’ll be just another piece of shit.”
For the first time Astorre seemed to lose some of his composure, and his mask of affability slipped. He caught Nicole watching him with a sort of terrified pity. And so he permitted some of his anger to escape.
“I don’t expect favors from you,” he said to Cilke. “You don’t even know what honor means. I saved the lives of your wife and daughter. They could be lying underground if it wasn’t for me. Now you invite me here to abuse me. Your wife and daughter are alive because of me. Show me respect for that at least.”
Cilke stared at him. “I’ll show you nothing,” he said, and he felt a terrible anger at being in Astorre’s debt.
Astorre rose from his seat to walk out of the room, but the security guard pushed him down.
“I’m going to make your life miserable,” Cilke said.
Astorre shrugged. “Do what you like. But let me tell you this. I know you helped put Don Aprile on the spot. Just because you and the Bureau want to get hold of the banks.”
At this the security man moved toward him, but Cilke waved him off. “I know you can stop the attacks on my family,” he said. “I’m telling you now that I make it your responsibility.”
From the other side of the room, Bill Boxton looked at Astorre and drawled, “Are you threatening a federal officer?”
Nicole broke in. “Of course not, he is just asking for his help.”
Cilke now seemed more cool. “All this for your beloved Don. Well, obviously you haven’t read the file I gave to Nicole. Your beloved Don was the man who killed your father when you were only two years old.”
Astorre flinched and glanced at Nicole. “Is that the part you tried to erase?”
Nicole nodded. “I didn’t think that part was true, and if it was, I didn’t think you should know. It could only hurt you.”
Astorre felt the room begin to spin, but he kept his composure. “It doesn’t make any difference,” he said.
Nicole said to Cilke, “Now that everything is clear, can we go?”
Cilke had an overpowering build, and as he came out from behind the desk he gave Astorre a playful slap on the head. Which surprised Cilke as much as Astorre, for he had never done such a thing before. It was a blow to show his contempt, which masked true hatred. He realized that he could never forget Astorre saving his family. As for Astorre, he looked steadily into Cilke’s face. He understood exactly how Cilke felt.
Nicole and Astorre went back to Nicole’s apartment, and Nicole tried to show her sympathy for Astorre in his humiliation, but this angered him even more. Nicole prepared a light lunch and then persuaded him to lie down on her bed for a nap. In the middle of his nap, he was conscious that Nicole was on the bed beside him, hugging him. He pushed her away.
“You heard what Cilke said about me,” he said. “You want to get mixed up in my life?”
“I don’t believe him or his reports,” Nicole said. “Astorre, I really do think I still love you.”
“We can’t go back to when we were kids,” Astorre said gently. “I’m not the same person, and neither are you. You’re just wishing we were kids again.”
They lay in each other’s arms.