Sonny had already warned Carlo after that first beating..."If you touch my sister again, I'll kill you."

When approached by Barzini he may have been asked a way he knew that Sonny could be lured away from the protection of the mall. He also knew what might get Connie going, what buttons to push to get her hysterical enough to warrant a beating. And who she might call on for help, once he was finished with her.

This whole thing was staged perfectly, right from the phone call Connie answered from that mysterious woman to the massacre at the toll booth.

Let's face it, both Connie & Santino took their bait. And true...if it hadn't worked this time, then it would have the next.

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