He followed Tessio out of the house. They were half-way across the street to Michael's house when they were stopped by a bodyguard. 'The boss says he'll come in another car,' the man said. 'He says you two can go before him.' Tessio looked worried. 'He can't do that,' he said, turning to Tom. 'That spoils all my arrangements.' Three more bodyguards appeared from nowhere and stood around him. Then Tom said gently: 'I can't go with you either, Tessio.' Tessio understood everything immediately. He knew that he was going to die for trying to betray Michael. He looked at Tom sadly and said: 'Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him.' 'He understands that,' Hagen nodded. Tessio paused for a second. He was a brave man, but he couldn't stop himself from showing Tom a moment of plain, human weakness. 'Tom, can you help me?' he asked. 'As a friend?' Tom shook his head and looked away. He didn't want to show his feelings, but inside he felt sick. Tessio had always been the best soldier in the Corleone family. 'I'm sorry, Tessio, I can't do that,' he said, and walked away. Tom watched from his window as the four bodyguards led Tessio towards a waiting car and drove him away for his meeting, not with Barzini, but with death.