Talk about that later. You understand the Family now is occupied with more

critical matters, more important things to do." Lampone made a gesture that said

He would be patient, knowing his reward was certain.

Clemenza went to his den's safe and opened it. He took out a gun and gave it

to Lampone. "Use this one," he said. "They can never trace it. Leave it in the car

With Paulie. When this job is finished I want you to take your wife and children on

A vacation to Florida. Use your own money now and I'll pay you back later. Relax,

Get the sun. Use the Family hotel in Miami Beach so I'll know where I can get you

when I want."

Clemenza's wife knocked on the door of the den to tell them that Paulie Gatto

Had arrived. He was parked in the driveway. Clemenza led the way through the

Garage and Lampone followed him. When Clemenza got into the front seat with

Gatto he merely grunted in greeting, an exasperated look on his face. He looked

At his wrist watch as if he expected to find that Gatto was late.

The ferret-faced button man was watching him intently, looking for a clue. He

flinched a little when Lampone got into the rear seat behind him and said, "Rocco,

sit on the other side. A big guy like you blocks up my rear-view mirror." Lampone

Shifted dutifully so that he was sitting behind Clemenza, as if such a request was

The most natural thing in the world.

24 Clemenza said sourly to Gatto, "Damn that Sonny, he's running scared. He's

Already thinking of going to the mattresses. We have to find a place on the West

 

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Side. Paulie, you and Rocco gotta staff and supply it until the word comes down

for the rest of the soldiers to use it. You know a good location?"

As he had expected, Gatto's eyes became greedily interested. Paulie had

Swallowed the bait and because he was thinking how much the information was

Worth to Sollozzo, he was forgetting to think about whether he was in danger.

Also, Lampone was acting his part perfectly, staring out the window in a

Disinterested, relaxed way. Clemenza congratulated himself on his choice.

26 Gatto shrugged. "I'd have to think about it," he said.

27 Clemenza grunted. "Drive while you think, I want to get to New York today."

Paulie was an expert driver and traffic going into the city was light at this time

In the afternoon, so the early winter darkness was just beginning to fall when they

Arrived. There was no small talk in the car. Clemenza directed Paulie to drive up

To the Washington Heights section. He checked a few apartment buildings and

Told him to park near Arthur Avenue and wait. He also left Rocco Lampone in the

Car. He went into the Vera Mario Restaurant and had a light dinner of veal and

Salad, nodding his hello's to some acquaintances. After an hour had gone by he

Walked the several blocks to where the car was parked and entered it. Gatto and

Lampone were still waiting. "Shit," Clemenza said, "they want us back in Long

Beach. They got some other job for us now. Sonny says we can let this one go

until later. Rocco, you live in the city, can we drop you off?"

29 Rocco said quietly, "I have my car out at your place and my old lady needs it

first thing in the morning."

30 "That's right," Clemenza said. "Then you have to come back with us, after

all."

Again on the ride back to Long Beach nothing was said. On the stretch of

road that led into the city, Clemenza said suddenly, "Paulie, pull over, I gotta take

a leak." From working together so long, Gatto knew the fat caporegime had a

Weak bladder. He had often made such a request. Gatto pulled the car off the

Highway onto the soft earth that led to the swamp. Clemenza climbed out of the

Car and took a few steps into the bushes. He actually relieved himself. Then as he