The Last Don - Mario Puzo [101]
Since the Family’s ultimate goal was the legalization of sports gambling all over the United States, any gambling scandal involving sports would hurt that aim. So an inquiry into the life of Big Tim Snedden the Rustler was launched. The results were so alarming that Pippi and Cross were summoned East to the mansion in Quogue for a conference. It was Pippi’s first operation after his return from Sicily.
Pippi and Cross took the flight back East together. Cross worried that the Clericuzio had already found out about his movie deal on Messalina and that his father would be angry he had not been consulted. For Pippi, at fifty-seven, though retired, still was consigliere to his son the Bruglione.
So on the plane Cross told his father about the movie and reassured him that he still valued his counsel but had not wanted to put him in a bad light with the Clericuzio. He also voiced his anxiety about being summoned back East because the Don had learned about his Hollywood plans.
Pippi listened without saying a word, then sighed with disgust. “You’re still too young,” he said. “It won’t be about the movie deal. The Don would never show his hand this quick. He’d wait to see what happened. It looks like Giorgio runs things, that’s what Vincent and Petie and Dante think. But they’re wrong. The old man is smarter than all of us. And don’t worry about him, he’s always fair in these things. It’s Giorgio and Dante you have to worry about.” He paused for a moment as if reluctant to talk about the Family even with Cross.
“You notice that Giorgio and Vincent and Petie’s kids know nothing about Family business? The Don and Giorgio have all planned that the children will be strictly legit. The Don planned that for Dante too, but Dante was too smart, figured everything out, and he wanted in. The Don couldn’t stop him. Think of all of us—Giorgio, Vincent, and Petie, you and me and Dante—as the rear guard, fighting so that the Cleri-cuzio clan can escape to safety. That’s the Don’s planning. It’s his strength, what makes him great. So he may even be glad you’re making your escape, it’s what he hoped Dante would do. That’s what it is, isn’t it?”
“I think so,” Cross said. Not even to his father would he confess his terrible weakness. That he was doing it for the love of a woman.
“Always play it long, like Gronevelt,” Pippi said. “When the time comes, tell the Don directly and make sure the Family wets its beak on the deal. But watch out for Giorgio and Dante. Vincent and Petie won’t give a shit.”
“Why Giorgio and Dante?” Cross asked.
“Because Giorgio is a greedy prick,” Pippi said. “And Dante, because he’s always jealous of you and because you’re my son. Besides, he’s a fucking lunatic.”
Cross was surprised. It was the first time he had heard his father criticize any of the Clericuzio. “And why won’t Vincent and Petie care?” he asked.
“Because Vincent has his restaurants and Petie has his construction business and the Bronx Enclave. Vincent wants to enjoy his old age and Petie likes the action. And both of them like you and respect me. We did jobs together when we were young.”
Cross said, “Pop, you’re not mad I didn’t clear it with you?”
Pippi gave him a sardonic look. “Don’t bullshit me,” he said. “You knew I would disapprove and the Don would disapprove. Now when are you going to kill this Skannet guy?”
“I don’t know yet,” Cross said. “It’s very tricky, has to be a Confirmation so that Athena will know she doesn’t have to worry about him anymore. Then she can come back to the picture.”
“Let me plan it for you,” Pippi said. “And what if this broad, Athena, doesn’t come back to work? Then you lose fifty mil.”
“She’ll come back to work,” Cross said. “She and Claudia are close friends and Claudia says she will.”
“My darling daughter,” Pippi said. “She still doesn’t want to see me?”
“I don’t think so,” Cross said. “But you can always drop around when she’s staying at the Hotel.”
“No,” Pippi said. “If this Athena doesn’t come to work after you do the job, I’ll plan her Communion for her,