The Last Don - Mario Puzo [158]
Cross gave a detailed report: how he had delivered the five million to Senator Wavven and then, word for word, his conversation with him.
There was a long silence. None of them needed Cross’s interpretation. Vincent and Petie looked the most concerned. Now that Vincent had his chain of restaurants, he was less inclined to take risks. Petie, though he was head of the soldiers in the Bronx Enclave, had his enormous construction business as his primary concern. They did not relish such a terrible mission at this stage of their lives.
“That fucking senator is crazy,” Vincent said.
The Don said to Cross, “Are you sure that was the message the senator was sending us? That we should actually assassinate the leader of our country, one of his colleagues in government?”
Giorgio said dryly, “They’re not in the same political party, the senator says.”
Cross answered the Don. “The senator would never incriminate himself. He just presented the facts. I think he assumes we will act on it.”
Dante spoke up. He was excited by the idea, by the glory, by the profit. “We can get the whole gambling business, legal. That would be worth it. That’s the biggest prize.”
The Don turned to Pippi. “And what do you think, Martèllo of mine?” he asked affectionately.
Pippi was obviously angry. “It can’t be done and it shouldn’t be done.”
Dante said in a taunting voice, “Cousin Pippi, if you can’t do it, I can.”
Pippi looked at him contemptuously. “You’re a butcher, not a planner. You couldn’t plan something like this in a million years. This is too big a risk. This is too much heat. And the execution is too difficult. You cannot get away free.”
Dante said arrogantly, “Grandfather, give me the job. I’ll get it done.”
The Don was respectful to his grandson. “I’m sure you could,” he said. “And the rewards would be very great. But Pippi is right. The aftermath would be too risky for our Family. One can always make mistakes, but never make a fatal mistake. Even if we were successful and achieved our aim, the deed would hang over us forever. It is too great a crime. Also, this is not a situation that endangers our existence, it is simply one that achieves a purpose. A purpose that can be achieved with patience. Meanwhile, we sit in a pretty position. Giorgio, you have your seat on Wall Street, Vincent, you have your restaurants, Petie, you have your construction business. Cross, you have your hotel and Pippi, you can retire and spend your last years in peace. And Dante, my grandson, you must have patience, some day you will have your gambling empire, that shall be your legacy. And when you do, it will be without the shadow of a terrible deed hanging over your head. So—let the senator swim to the bottom of the ocean.”
Everyone in the room relaxed, the tension broken; except for Dante, all were happy with the decision. And all agreed with the Don’s curse that the senator should drown. That he had dared to put them in this dangerous dilemma.
Only Dante seemed to disagree. He said to Pippi, “You’ve got a lot of balls, calling me a butcher. What are you, a fucking Florence Nightingale?”
Vincent and Petie laughed. The Don shook his head disapprovingly. “Another thing,” Don Clericuzio said. “I think we for now should continue all our ties with the senator. I don’t begrudge him the extra five million, but I take it as an insult that he thinks we would kill the president of our country to further a business venture. Also, what other fish does he have to fry? How does this act benefit him? He seeks to manipulate us. Cross, when he comes to your hotel, build up his markers. Make sure he has a good time. He is too dangerous a man to have as an enemy.”
Everything was settled. Cross was hesitant about bringing up another sensitive problem. But he told the story of Lia Vazzi and Jim Losey. “There could be an informer inside the Family,” Cross said.
Dante said coolly,