Which he was distantly related. His two rooms were separated from the rest of

Their railroad flat by a special door. He liked the arrangement because it gave him

Some family life and also protection against surprise where he was most

Vulnerable.

The sly Turkish fox was going to show his bushy tail, Luca thought. If things

Went far enough, if Sollozzo committed himself tonight, maybe the whole thing

Could be wound up as a Christmas present for the Don. In his room, Luca

Unlocked the trunk beneath the bed and took out a bulletproof vest. It was heavy.

He undressed and put it on over his woolen underwear, then put his shirt and

jacket over it. He thought for a moment of calling the Don's house at Long Beach

To tell him of this new development but he knew the Don never talked over the

Phone, to anyone, and the Don had given him this assignment in secret and so

Did not want anyone, not even Hagen or his eldest son, to know about it.

Luca always carried a gun. He had a license to carry a gun, probably the most

Expensive gun license ever issued anyplace, anytime. It had cost a total of ten

Thousand dollars but it would keep him out of jail if he was frisked by the cops.

As a top executive operating official of the Family he rated the license. But

tonight, just in case he could finish off the job, he wanted a "safe" gun. One that