The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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the newspapers every day. Such people of course do a great deal of harm to others 
also. 
“Luca Brasi was such a man. But he was such an extraordinary man that for a long time 
nobody could kill him. Most of these people are of no concern to ourselves but a Brasi is 
a powerful weapon to be used. The trick is that since he does not fear death and indeed 
looks for it, then the trick is to make yourself the only person in the world that he truly 
desires not to kill him. He has only that one fear, not of death, but that you may be the 
one to kill him. He is yours then.” 
It was one of the most valuable lessons given by the Don before he died, and Michael 
had used it to make Neri his Luca Brasi. 
* * *
And now, finally, Albert Neri, alone in his Bronx apartment, was going to put on his 
police uniform again. He brushed it carefully. Polishing the holster would be next. And 
his policeman’s cap too, the visor had to be cleaned, the stout black shoes shined. Neri 
worked with a will. He had found his place in the world, Michael Corelone had placed his 
absolute trust in him, and today he would not fail that trust. 
Chapter 31
On that same day two limousines parked on the Long Beach mall. One of the big cars 
waited to take Connie Corleone, her mother, her husband and her two children to the 
airport. The Carlo Rizzi family was to take a vacation in Las Vegas in preparation for 
their permanent move to that city. Michael had given Carlo the order, over Connie’s 
protests. Michael had not bothered to explain that he wanted everyone out of the mall 
before the Corleone-Barzini Families’ meeting. Indeed the meeting itself was top secret. 
The only ones who knew about it were the capos of the Family. 
The other limousine was for Kay and her children, who were being driven up to New 
Hampshire for a visit with her parents. Michael would have to stay in the mall; he had 
affairs too pressing to leave. 
The night before Michael had also sent word to Carlo Rizzi that he would require his 
presence on the mall for a few days, that he could join his wife and children later that 
week. Connie had been furious. She had tried to get Michael on the phone, but he had 
gone into the city. Now her eyes were searching the mall for him, but he was closeted 
with Tom Hagen and not to be disturbed. Connie kissed Carlo good-bye when he put 

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