Omerta - Mario Puzo [120]
Aspinella listened carefully, twirling her new dreadlocks. “I hear you, she said, “but there’s a lot you don’t know. Astorre was right: I am guilty of the crimes I’ve been convicted of, and I will spend the rest of my life atoning for them. But please, help me live long enough to begin to make whatever amends I can.”
At first Nicole figured this was just another one of Aspinella’s ploys to gain sympathy, but there was something in her voice that moved Nicole. She still believed that no human being had the right to condemn another to death. She still believed in redemption. She felt Aspinella deserved a defense, just as every death row inmate did. She just wished she didn’t have to handle this one.
Before Nicole could make a final decision, she knew there was one person she had to face.
After the funeral, at which Cilke had received a hero’s burial, Georgette had requested a meeting with the director. An FBI escort picked her up from the airport and took her to Bureau headquarters.
When she entered the director’s office, he wrapped her in a hug and promised that the Bureau would do everything necessary to help her and her daughter cope with their loss.
“Thank you,” Georgette said. “But that’s not why I came. I need to know why my husband was killed.”
The director paused quite a while before speaking. He knew she had heard rumors. And those rumors could pose a threat to the Bureau’s image. He needed to reassure her. Finally, he said, “I’m embarrassed to admit that we even needed to mount an investigation. Your husband was a paragon of what an FBI man should be. He was devoted to his work, and he followed every law to the letter. I know he never would have done anything to compromise the Bureau or his family.”
“Then why did he go to that warehouse alone?” Georgette asked. “And what was his relationship with Portella?”
The director followed the talking points he had practiced with his staff prior to the meeting. “Your husband was a great investigator. He had earned the freedom and respect to follow his own leads. We don’t believe he ever took a bribe or crossed the line with Portella or anyone else. His results speak volumes. He’s the man who broke up the Mafia.”
As she left his office, Georgette realized that she didn’t believe him. She knew that in order to find any peace, she would have to believe the truth she felt in her heart: that her husband, despite his zeal, was as good a man as she would ever know.
After the murder of her husband, Georgette Cilke continued to volunteer at the New York headquarters of the Campaign Against the Death Penalty, but Nicole had not seen her since their fateful conversation. Because of her responsibilities at the bank, Nicole had said she was too busy for the Campaign. The truth was, she could not bear to face Georgette.
Even so, when Nicole walked through the door, Georgette greeted her with a warm embrace. “I’ve missed you,” she said.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch,” Nicole responded. “I tried to write you a condolence letter, but I couldn’t find the words.”
Georgette nodded and said, “I understand.”
“No,” Nicole said, her throat tightening, “you don’t understand. I deserve some of the blame for what happened to your husband. If I hadn’t spoken to you that afternoon—”
“It still would have happened,” Georgette cut in. “If it hadn’t been your cousin, it would have been someone else. Something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. Kurt knew it and so did I.” Georgette hesitated only a moment before she added, “The important thing now is that we remember his goodness. So let’s not talk any more about the past. I’m sure we all have regrets.”
Nicole wished it were that easy. She took a deep breath. “There’s more. Aspinella Washington wants me to represent her.”
Though Georgette tried to hide it, Nicole saw her flinch at the mention of Aspinella’s name. Georgette was not a religious woman, but at this moment she was certain God was testing her powers of conviction. “OK,” she said, biting her lip.
“OK?” Nicole asked, surprised. She had