He passed on to a door marked Fire Exit, opened it, and found himself in a quiet corridor. The doors opposite were marked Freight Elevator. He called it up and when it arrived, punched the basement button.
When he stepped out, he found doors standing wide to an underground car park, walked through, and found himself in the car park where he had left his limougine. He stood there smiling, then went and opened the driver’s door, took off the white coat and threw it in the back, then he got behind the wheel.
WHEN KATHLEEN RYAN ENI’ERED THE PHARmacology Department of the hospital, the young doctor on duty was Indian, a Doctor Sieed. She wore a ‘sari. She knew Kathleen and liked her.
“What can I do for you, nurse?” “/ely uncle is an angina patient. I was just talking to him and he told me he was on new pills, something I’m not familiar with. Dazane.’ Doctor Sieed nodded. “A recent addition. It has an excellent recorbut the dosage is critical. One, three times a day.” “Yes, I noticed that.’.’.
“Overdose can be a problem. Three at the same time would actually promote a severe angina attack.” “Of a critical nature?” “Probably not, but it would give the patient a bad shock for a couple of days. Tell him to he careful.” “Thank you.” Kathleen went along to the staff room, got her coat and shoulder bag, and left by the main entrance. As she walked across the car park, Giovanni Mori drove past her in the limousine and turned into the main road.
CHAPTER TEN
THE DON WAS IN AN EXPANSIVE MOOD WHEN Sollazo wefit to see him. “You look pleased with yourself, Marco.”
“I think I have a solution.”
“Good, but family business first; Anything for me to sign?”.’&
“A couple of property deeds, a transfer. I have them here.” Sollazo opened his briefcase and took out various papers.
“Let’s get on with it.” He produced a pen and did what was necessary. “Good. Now a couple of my very special vodka martinis.”
“The best in the world.” ‘
“Of course.” Russo went behind the bar and mixed the drinks, and Sollazo sat on a bar stool. The martini was excellent and he savored it with pleasure. I93 The old man toasted him. “The Ryan business. Tell
Which Sollazo did in finest detail. When he was finished, the Don said, “You really think Mori could manage this on his own?” “Absolutely and so simple. No one else involved.” “It would require Ryan’s cooperation.” “But, of course.” “And he’ll want his niece with him.” “Naturally.” “So how will you persuade him?’; “To quote your favorite film, ‘I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.'” The §Id man nodded. “There must he no link between you and Ryan, no link with the Family. In the event of success, we don’t want the police tying us in.” “No problem there. When I go to Green Rapids, it’s to see Salamone, all perfectly legitimate, but the regime there is so ridiculously liberal, prisoners walking round the park area wi’th their families or ator- · heys, that it’s possible to talk to anyone. Salamone tells me the girl visits her uncle again tomorrow at eleven. I’ll see him then and take the opportunity of speaking to Ryan.” The Don sipped his martini thoughtfully. “Tell me, Salamone’s expectations of some sort of movement as regards reducing his sentence. Have you any hopes there?” “None at all, but I try to keep his hopes up for
x94 other reasons. He knows a great deal about Family business.” “Too much. There is an old Sicilian saying, ‘Better to lop the branch than lose the tree.’ “The Don nodded gravely. “And there would be the point that he is the only link between us and this Ryan affair.” “He’s entirely disposable,” Sollazo said calmly.
“So he has an accident one day. We have friends in there happy to oblige.” “Good. I’ll let you get on with it, then.”
IT WAS A FINE BRIGHT MORNING JUST BEFORE eleven when Sollazo strolled through the park with Salamone.
“You’ve done well for us,” the lawyer said. “The Don is pleased.” “Great.” Salamone nodded eagerly. “And how’s my case going?” “I’m working on it, Paolo, these thhags take time.” At that moment he saTM Michael.:yan and Kathleen move down toward the lake and sit down in one of the rustic shelters.