The Sicilian

Guiliano had spared his life. Pisciotta told funny stories about Turi's daring and sense of fun and lack of cruelty. Though he could be merciless with traitors and enemies, he never offered an insult to their manhood with torture and humiliation. And then he told the story of the tragedy at the Portella della Ginestra. 'He wept that day,' Pisciotta said. 'In front of all the members of his band.'

Maria Lombardo said, 'He could not have killed those people at Ginestra.'

Hector Adonis soothed her. 'We all know that. He was born gentle.' He turned to Michael and said, 'He loved books, I thought he would become a poet or a scholar. He had a temper, but he was never cruel. Because his was an innocent rage. He hated injustice. He hated the brutality of the carabinieri toward the poor and their obsequiousness toward the rich. Even as a boy he was outraged when he heard of a farmer who could not keep the corn he grew, drink the wine he pressed, eat the pigs he slaughtered. And yet he was a gentle boy.'

Pisciotta laughed. 'He is not so gentle now. And you, Hector, don't play the little schoolteacher now. On horseback you were as big a man as any of us.'

Hector Adonis looked at him sternly. 'Aspanu,' he said, 'this is not the time for your wit.'

Pisciotta said to him excitedly, 'Little man, do you think I can ever be afraid of you?'

Michael noted that Pisciotta's nickname was Aspanu, and that there was ingrained dislike between the two men. Pisciotta's constant reference to the other man's size, the stern tone in which Adonis always spoke to Pisciotta. There was, in fact, a distrust in the air amongst all of them; the others seemed to hold Stefano Andolini at arm's length, Guiliano's mother seemed to trust no one completely. And yet as the night wore on it was clear that they all loved Turi.

Michael said cautiously, 'There is a Testament written by Turi Guiliano. Where is it now?'

There was a long silence, all of them watching him intently. And suddenly their distrust included him.

Finally Hector Adonis spoke. 'He started writing it on my advice and I helped him with it. Every page is signed by Turi. All the secret alliances with Don Croce, with the government in Rome and the final truth about the Portella della Ginestra. If it were made public the government must surely fall. It is Guiliano's last card to play if things come to the worst.'

'I hope then you have it in a safe place,' Michael said.

Pisciotta said, 'Yes, Don Croce would like to get his hands on the Testament.'

Guiliano's mother said, 'At the proper time we will arrange to have the Testament delivered to you. Perhaps you can send it to America with the girl.'

Michael looked at them all with surprise. 'What girl?' They all looked away, as if with embarrassment or apprehension. They knew this was an unpleasant surprise and were afraid of his reaction.

Guiliano's mother said, 'My son's fiancee. She is pregnant.' She turned to the others. 'She won't vanish into thin air. Will he take her or not? Let him say so now.' Though she tried to maintain her composure it was obvious she was worried about Michael's reaction. 'She will come to you in Trapani. Turi wants you to send her ahead of him to America. When she sends word back that she is safe, then Turi will come to you.'

Michael said cautiously, 'I have no instructions. I would have to consult my people in Trapani about the time element. I know that you and your husband are to follow once your son gets to America. Can't the girl wait and go with you?'

Pisciotta said harshly, 'The girl is your test. She will send back a code word and then Guiliano will know he is dealing not only with an honest man but an intelligent one. Only then can he believe you can get him safely out of Sicily.'

Guiliano's father said angrily, 'Aspanu, I have already told you and my son. Don Corleone has given his word to help us.'

Pisciotta said smoothly, 'Those are Turi's orders.'

Michael thought quickly. Finally he said, 'I think it's very clever. We can test the escape route and see if it is compromised.' He had no intention of using the same escape route for Guiliano. He said to Guiliano's mother, 'I can send you and your husband with the girl.' He looked at them questioningly, but both the parents shook their heads.

Hector Adonis said to them gently, 'It's not a bad idea.'

Guiliano's mother said, 'We will not leave Sicily while our son is still here.' Guiliano's father folded his arms and nodded in agreement. And Michael understood what they were thinking. If Turi Guiliano died in Sicily, they had no wish to be in America. They must stay to mourn him, to bury him, bring flowers to his grave. The final tragedy belonged to them. The girl could go, she was bound only by love, not by blood.

Sometime during the night Maria Lombardo Guiliano showed Michael a scrapbook filled with newspaper stories, posters showing the different prices placed on Guiliano's head by the government in Rome. She showed a picture story published in America by Life magazine in 1948. The story stated that Guiliano was the greatest bandit of modern times, an Italian Robin Hood who robbed the rich to help the poor. It also printed one of the famous letters that Guiliano had sent to the newspapers.

It read: 'For five years I have fought to make Sicily free. I have given to the poor what I have taken from the rich. Let the people of Sicily speak out whether I am an outlaw or a fighter for freedom. If they speak against me, I will deliver myself into your hands for judgment. As long as they speak for me I will continue to wage total war.'

It sure as hell didn't sound like a bandit on the run, Michael thought, as Maria Lombardo's proud face beamed at him. He felt an identification with her, she looked very much like his own mother. Her face was seamed with past sorrows, but her eyes blazed with a natural love for even more combat against her fate.

Finally it was dawn and Michael rose and said his goodbyes. He was surprised when Guiliano's mother gave him a warm embrace.

'You remind me of my son,' she said. 'I trust you.' She went to the mantel and took down a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary. It was black. The features were Negroid. 'Take this as a gift. It is the only thing I own worthy to give you.' Michael tried to refuse, but she pressed it on him.

Hector Adonis said, 'There are only a few of those statues left in Sicily. Curious, but we are very close to Africa.'

Guiliano's mother said, 'It doesn't matter what she looks like, you can pray to her.'

'Yes,' Pisciotta said. 'She can do as much good as the other.' There was contempt in his voice.

Michael watched Pisciotta take his leave of Guiliano's mother. He could see the real affection between them. Pisciotta kissed her on both cheeks and patted her reassuringly. But she put her head on his shoulder for a brief moment and said, 'Aspanu, Aspanu, I love you as I love my son. Don't let them kill Turi.' She was weeping.

Pisciotta lost all his coldness, his body seemed to crumple, his dark bony face softened. 'You will all grow old in America,' he said.

Then he turned to Michael. 'I will bring Turi to you within the week,' he said.

He went out the door quickly and silently. He had his own special red-bordered pass and he could melt again into the mountains. Hector Adonis would remain with the Guilianos, though he owned a house in town.

Michael and Stefano Andolini got into the Fiat and drove through the central square and onto the road that led to Castelvetrano and the coastal city of Trapani. With Andolini's slow tentative driving and the numerous military roadblocks, it was noon before they came to the town of Trapani.

BOOK II TURI GUILIANO 1943

CHAPTER 2