Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

On the day Maranzano is killed, forty mobsters across the country who are affiliated with him are taken out, all on the orders of Lucky Luciano. Luciano has recruited Jewish mobster Dutch Schultz, who owes Lucky a favor, to perpetrate the execution of Maranzano. Valachi learns that he is a target and hides in the attic of a fellow soldier who speaks on his behalf to Lucchese. Lucchese has heard that Valachi was in on some of Maranzano's money-grabbing but Valachi denies it. Lucchese will think about it but tells Valachi he is not in danger. In the intervening days, Valachi is advised by The Gap to go with Vito Genovese who welcomes Valachi and promises that he will have respect—respect meaning he will not be targeted for execution. Other cohorts of Valachi are not so lucky.

Lucky Luciano...