บท 136: Chapter 136: Open Kill
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Hardy and Mike arrived at the hospital, where several people stood outside the room. Mike approached a small captain of the family in charge of security and said, "I've brought a friend to visit my father."
Hardy entered the room to find the old godfather lying in bed with an IV drip, his eyes tightly shut, and his usually neat hair now disheveled.
Previously, Hardy had seen the old godfather as a lion—majestic and calm. Now, the lion was injured.
Mike walked over to the bed, gently holding his father's hand. "Father, I'm worried about your safety, so I called Hardy from Los Angeles."
Hardy approached the bed and placed his hand on the old godfather's. "Mr. Vito, I believe you will recover. Don't worry about Mike. I'll do everything I can to help him. This crisis will pass."
The old godfather's eyelids twitched slightly, but it was unclear if he had heard Hardy's words.
Hardy assigned Leo's combat team to guard the hospital and requested a room adjacent to the old godfather's ward. With Leo's team in place, Hardy felt somewhat reassured, even if the opponent decided to send a large number of people to storm the hospital.
The team leader in charge of the hospital security seemed surprised. "Mike, who are these people?"
"They're my company's security personnel. I want them here to protect my father," Mike explained.
"It's sufficient to have us here," the team leader said.
"This is a gesture of my filial piety. I hope you understand. I'll inform my brother that extra protection is always safer. You can take a break while they're here. They're professional security personnel," Mike insisted firmly.
The team leader, though initially hesitant, accepted Mike's decision, understanding that Mike was now a part of the Corleone family.
With the rear guard set, Hardy turned his attention to offense.
He asked Mike to provide someone familiar with the local environment and the situation of the other four families in New York. Mike admitted that he lacked the right manpower at the moment, as he had previously avoided family business in favor of a more conventional career.
"Do you think it's appropriate for me to involve someone from the family? Will it affect your plans?" Mike asked.
"Contact anyone you think is reliable. Who are you considering?" Hardy replied.
"Uncle Clemenza," Mike said. "He's one of the commanders of my father's army and controls half of the family's power. I have a good relationship with him. I reached out to him during the last incident."
The image of Clemenza, a rotund Italian man, came to Hardy's mind. He was known for his powerful position within the Corleone family, despite his more informal demeanor.
"Ask Clemenza for assistance, but make sure he understands that this matter needs to be kept secret. I suspect the family is unstable, and any leaks could affect our future actions," Hardy advised.
"I understand. I'll contact Uncle Clemenza," Mike said.
At the Corleone family manor, Clemenza was in a tense meeting. Sonny was pushing for retaliation, Tom was opposed, and Tessio remained silent. The atmosphere was charged with uncertainty.
Clemenza felt the precariousness of the situation. With the old godfather incapacitated, many family members were showing their true colors. Sonny's eagerness for revenge and Tom's strategic caution created friction. Clemenza's concern was that the family might collapse under the strain.
The phone rang in the living room. Clemenza answered it and was informed that Mike was on the line.
Clemenza returned to the study. Sonny, curious, asked, "What did Mike want?"
Clemenza replied, "Mike said he's sent a few security guards from the TV factory to the hospital for Vito's protection."
Sonny sneered, "What can a few security guards do? It's just a show of concern."
The meeting ended with no consensus. Sonny's determination and Tom's caution created a stalemate.
Clemenza left the manor and drove toward the outskirts of the city. He saw a row of cars and Mike waiting for him. Mike introduced Hardy to Clemenza.
"Jon Hardy, you should have met before," Mike said.
Clemenza shook Hardy's hand, surprised to see him in New York. "I thought Mr. Hardy was in Los Angeles. What brings you here?"
"I asked him to help. I have a feeling this situation is more complex than it appears. The Corleone family needs more protection," Mike explained.
Mike then requested that Clemenza provide local experts to help Hardy's team navigate the situation and keep their involvement confidential.
Clemenza agreed, promising to send ten reliable men and instructing them to avoid contact with outsiders and to keep their mission secret.
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Since the attack on the old godfather, the Corleone family had been searching for Sorasso, who remained elusive. Meanwhile, Henry and his team targeted Sheriff McCluskey, who had minor influence but was significant due to his connections.
At McCluskey's home, telephone company maintainers were covertly installing monitoring devices. The intelligence team used high-tech methods to monitor conversations—a technique advanced for the era and effective against gang operations.
Hardy's commitment to using the latest technology was evident. His approach marked a shift from traditional methods to modern surveillance.
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Mike returned to the Corleone mansion to find Sonny and Tom engaged in a heated argument.
"Sonny, you're being too rash. Father wouldn't approve of this approach. It could spiral out of control," Tom argued.
Sonny retorted, "Tom, I don't need your lectures. Peace talks are impossible. I've sent people to eliminate Sorasso as soon as he's found. They attacked my father and even tried to kill him in the hospital. It's unforgivable."
"If you go after Sorasso, you're declaring war on other families. Father wouldn't want that," Tom countered.
"Father is in the hospital because of Sorasso and other families. The Corleone family isn't afraid of war," Sonny said firmly.
Mike observed the argument, frustrated by the lack of cohesion. He wanted to stabilize the family and make strategic decisions rather than engage in futile arguments.
Mike left the manor and returned home. He was abruptly awakened in the early hours by a phone call.
"Mike, this is Henry. I have urgent news. Just ten minutes ago, Sonny ordered the assassination of Buno, the son of Philip, head of the Tatakilia family."
Mike's eyes widened as he fully woke up, realizing the gravity of the situation.
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