Book 5, Chapter 19 Summary

In New York, Pete Clemenza, caporegime and long-time defender of the family interests, topples over onto a hot grill and dies of a massive coronary. He was the last of the original employees of the Genco Pura Olive Oil company, the Abbandando family business, which Vito used to launch the Corleone "family business."

In Cleveland, Nick and his men meet with Don Forlenza. They discuss various ways of killing Narducci, but fun aside, Nick convinces the Don to keep Narducci alive for now. Nick doesn't want to tip his hand to Michael yet, nor are they ready to go after Michael. First, they will turn their attention to building alliances. Nick already has good relations with his own men, who are also Michael's, plus the Stracci family in New Jersey. The key alliance will be Chicago. Don Russo is strong enough...