My debatable! theories, on further review....
Roth was slipping! I think too many variables in Tahoe shooting
I believe, the Tahoe shooting was complicated and risky even if it had been successful whereas Havana, Roth's kinda town, sure winner!
If Michael had died in the Tahoe shooting -
- It doesn't seem to me, Pentangeli's neck is automatically on the chopping block
- Roth couldn't have known for certain how Michael and Pentangeli's meeting would progress
- In fact, Pentangeli could have persuaded Michael to back Michael's own man, in an obscure beef, a Street thing
- There is always the chance that Tom, Neri, Rocco work out Pentangeli did not have the brains and could not have engineered the shooting
- Tom and others may not factor Roth into the equation straight away but they all could work together and I believe Tom can restore order and save the Corleone business especially without Michael on his back!
- Pentangeli joins in providing whatever muscle and help as required
- Roth interesting himself in an obscure beef against Michael's man and in effect against Michael could have cast suspicions on Roth
If Roth had
waited until Havana to murder Michael
- Roth would have gotten Michael's $2 million
- Roth would have used Michael's own money or part thereof to pay for Michael's own murder
- Such a terribly unfortunate death, caught up in the midst of the rebel uprising in spite of being escorted in a military car
- Nobody suspects any foul play because Roth loved Michael like his son and Michael was Roth's heir apparent
- Roth carries on living like a retired investor on a pension with no Michael burrowing into Roth's empire
