Underboss
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,466 No. Virginia
I don't think the "secret signal" is a secret signal. Tom also goes to his tie as the men are loading Tessio into the car. At that moment, Tom is inside the house, looking out a window. I think the fidgeting with the tie is supposed to be a sign of increasing distress - that Tom is, indeed, not a war-time consigliere.
"All of these men were good listeners; patient men."