The Sicilian - Mario Puzo [14]
“I hope then you have it in a safe place,” Michael said.
Pisciotta said, “Yes, Don Croce would like to get his hands on the Testament.”
Guiliano’s mother said. “At the proper time we will arrange to have the Testament delivered to you. Perhaps you can send it to America with the girl.”
Michael looked at them all with surprise. “What girl?” They all looked away, as if with embarrassment or apprehension. They knew this was an unpleasant surprise and were afraid of his reaction.
Guiliano’s mother said, “My son’s fiancée. She is pregnant.” She turned to the others. “She won’t vanish into thin air. Will he take her or not? Let him say so now.” Though she tried to maintain her composure it was obvious she was worried about Michael’s reaction. “She will come to you in Trapani. Turi wants you to send her ahead of him to America. When she sends word back that she is safe, then Turi will come to you.”
Michael said cautiously, “I have no instructions. I would have to consult my people in Trapani about the time element. I know that you and your husband are to follow once your son gets to America. Can’t the girl wait and go with you?”
Pisciotta said harshly, “The girl is your test. She will send back a code word and then Guiliano will know he is dealing not only with an honest man but an intelligent one. Only then can he believe you can get him safely out of Sicily.”
Guiliano’s father said angrily, “Aspanu, I have already told you and my son. Don Corleone has given his word to help us.”
Pisciotta said smoothly, “Those are Turi’s orders.”
Michael thought quickly. Finally he said, “I think it’s very clever. We can test the escape route and see if it is compromised.” He had no intention of using the same escape route for Guiliano. He said to Guiliano’s mother, “I can send you and your husband with the girl.” He looked at them questioningly, but both the parents shook their heads.
Hector Adonis said to them gently, “It’s not a bad idea.”
Guiliano’s mother said, “We will not leave Sicily while our son is still here.” Guiliano’s father folded his arms and nodded in agreement. And Michael understood what they were thinking. If Turi Guiliano died in Sicily, they had no wish to be in America. They must stay to mourn him, to bury him, bring flowers to his grave. The final tragedy belonged to them. The girl could go, she was bound only by love, not by blood.
Sometime during the night Maria Lombardo Guiliano showed Michael a scrapbook filled with newspaper stories, posters showing the different prices placed on Guiliano’s head by the government in Rome. She showed a picture story published in America by Life magazine in 1948. The story stated that Guiliano was the greatest bandit of modern times, an Italian Robin Hood who robbed the rich to help the poor. It also printed one of the famous letters that Guiliano had sent to the newspapers.
It read: “For five years I have fought to make Sicily free. I have given to the poor what I have taken from the rich. Let the people of Sicily speak out whether I am an outlaw or a fighter for freedom. If they speak against me, I will deliver myself into your hands for judgment. As long as they speak for me I will continue to wage total war.”
It sure as hell didn’t sound like a bandit on the run, Michael thought, as Maria Lombardo’s proud face beamed at him. He felt an identification with her, she looked very much like his own mother. Her face was seamed with past sorrows, but her eyes blazed with a natural love for even more combat against her fate.
Finally it was dawn and Michael rose and said his goodbyes. He was surprised when Guiliano’s mother gave him a warm embrace.
“You remind me of my son,” she said. “I trust you.” She went to the mantel and took down a wooden