among others -

I too think every action [eg: the key is to kill Pop] or non-action [eg: no enquiries regarding Sonny's murder] - immediate or later, biding the right time to strike is both personal and business

Sure thing Personal and business “always intertwined” the “combination of personal and business” “was the key to [both Vito and Michael] greatness, and thus their effectiveness”

That's why the Corleones' strategy was so great and effective! Keeping the enemies close, confident and relaxed Surprise element

• What would your take be?

If Tom hadn't turned up when he did ie: Michael had already been taken in by the Police Captain McCluskey and there was nobody around

What can the Corleone man, Detective Phillips do? Phillips would let the Corleones know about Michael's ride in the paddy wagon but what can Sonny do?

Michael was a dead man Michael would be worked over and disappeared altogether Michael's body never found

McCluskey would say he knows nothing never saw Michael
Who is going to dispute the New York Police Captain Anyway nothing could come out it

Vito was sick even if Tom managed to arrange the private detectives to guard Vito in the hospital What can Vito do same as Sonny

Nobody had ever messed with the New York Police captain before....!