Amerigo Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waited for

Justice; vengeance on the men who had so cruelly hurt his daughter, who had

Tried to dishonor her.

The judge, a formidably heavy-featured man, rolled up the sleeves of his black

Robe as if to physically chastise the two young men standing before the bench.

His face was cold with majestic contempt. But there was something false in all

This that Amerigo Bonasera sensed but did not yet understand.

3 "You acted like the worst kind of degenerates," the judge said harshly. Yes,

Yes, thought Amerigo Bonasera. Animals. Animals. The two young men, glossy

Hair crew cut, scrubbed clean-cut faces composed into humble contrition, bowed

Their heads in submission.

4 The judge went on. "You acted like wild beasts in a jungle and you are

fortunate you did not sexually molest that poor girl or I'd put you behind bars for

twenty years." The judge paused, his eyes beneath impressively thick brows

Flickered slyly toward the sallow-faced Amerigo Bonasera, then lowered to a

Stack of probation reports before him. He frowned and shrugged as if convinced

Against his own natural desire. He spoke again.

Quot;But because of your youth, your clean records, because of your fine families,