Clemenza was getting the message. To make it a little more natural, Sonny asked,

"Where the hell was Paulie anyway? What the hell was he doing?"

20 There was no longer any wheezing on the other end of the line. Clemenza's

voice was guarded. "Paulie was sick, he had a cold, so he stayed home. He's

been a little sick all winter."

21 Sonny was instantly alert. "How many times did he stay home the last couple

of months?"

22 "Maybe three or four times," Clemenza said. "I always asked Freddie if he

wanted another guy but he said no. There's been no cause, the last ten years

things been smooth, you know."

23 "Yeah," Sonny said. "I'll see you at my father's house. Be sure you bring

Paulie. Pick him up on your way over. I don't care how sick he is. You got that?"

He slammed down the phone without waiting for an answer.

His wife was weeping silently. He stared at her for a moment, then said in a

harsh voice, "Any of our people call, tell them to get me in my father's house on

his special phone. Anybody else call, you don't know nothing. If Tom's wife calls,

tell her that Tom won't be home for a while, he's on business.

25 He pondered for a moment. "A couple of our people will come to stay here."

He saw her look of fright and said impatiently, "You don't have to be scared, I just