The Sicilian - Mario Puzo [106]
The July sun was very hot and the sea so blue and so still that the sun reflected off of it as if it were metal. Michael and Hector Adonis sat on two chairs on the pier.
“Before I leave this morning, I have a final instruction for you,” Hector Adonis said quietly. “It is the most important thing that you can do for Guiliano.”
“With all my heart,” Michael said.
“You must send Guiliano’s Testament to America immediately, to your father,” Adonis said. “He will know how to use it. He will make sure that Don Croce and the government in Rome will know it is safely in America and then they will not dare harm Guiliano. They will let him emigrate safely.”
“Do you have it with you?” Michael asked.
The little man smiled at him slyly and then laughed, “You have it,” he said.
Michael was astonished. “You’ve been misinformed,” he said. “No one has given it to me.”
“Yes they have,” Hector Adonis said. He put a friendly hand on Michael’s arm and Michael noticed how small and dainty his fingers were, like a child’s. “Maria Lombardo, Guiliano’s mother, gave it to you. Only she and myself know where it is, not even Pisciotta knows.”
He saw Michael’s uncomprehending look. “It’s in the black Madonna,” Hector Adonis said. “It’s true the Madonna has been in the family for generations and is valuable. Everybody knows about it. But Guiliano was given a replica. It is hollow. The Testament is written on very thin paper and each sheet has Guiliano’s signature. I helped him compose it over the last few years. There are also some incriminating documents. Turi always knew what the end might be and wanted to be prepared. For a young man he has a great sense of strategy.”
Michael laughed. “And his mother is a great actress.”
“All Sicilians are,” Hector Adonis said. “We trust no one and dissemble before everyone. Guiliano’s father is certainly trustworthy, but he might be indiscreet. Pisciotta has been Guiliano’s truest friend since their childhood, Stefan Andolini has saved Guiliano’s life in battle with the carabinieri, but men change with time or under torture. So it’s best they do not know.”
“But he trusted you,” Michael said.
“I am blessed,” Hector Adonis said simply. “But you see how clever Guiliano can be? He trusts only me with the Testament and he trusts only Pisciotta with his life. Both of us must betray him if he is to fail.”
CHAPTER 17
MICHAEL CORLEONE AND Hector Adonis walked back to the villa and sat under a lemon tree with Peter Clemenza. Michael was eager to read the Testament, but Hector Adonis said that Andolini was due to pick him up for the trip back to Montelepre and Michael waited to see if Andolini had any messages for him.
An hour passed. Hector Adonis looked at his watch, his face worried.
Michael said, “His car probably broke down. That Fiat is on its last legs.”
Hector Adonis shook his head. “Stefan Andolini has the heart of a murderer, but he is the soul of punctuality. And dependable. I’m afraid that since he is already an hour late, something has gone wrong. And I must be in Montelepre before dark when curfew begins.”
Peter Clemenza said, “My brother will give you a car and driver.”
Adonis thought about this for a moment. “No,” he said, “I will wait. It’s important that I see him.”
Michael said, “Do you mind if we go on and read the Testament without you? How do you open the statue?”
Hector Adonis said, “Of course—read it. As for opening it there’s no trick. It is carved out of solid wood. The head was soldered on after Turi put the papers inside. You simply chop off the head. If you have trouble reading it, I will be glad to assist you. Send one of the servants for me.”
Michael and Peter Clemenza went up to Michael’s bedroom. The statue was still in Michael’s jacket; he had completely