Elizabeth Street - Laurie Fabiano [138]
“Where are you going?” questioned Giovanna. “We know more people the other way.”
“But they have more money in these neighborhoods.”
Giovanna smiled at her stepdaughter.
“Stay on the street when I go in the store, Zia.”
It took Giovanna a few stops to get what Mary was up to. She heard Mary’s loud “Trick or treat!” and when someone presented her with a candy she politely shook her head and pointed inside her mouth to a phantom rotted tooth. Giovanna would see Mary’s feathers nod thanks when she was instead offered a penny.
An hour later, Mary shook her little burlap bag. “Not bad, Zia, and there’s a bunch more blocks we can go.”
“Except next time, you take the candy. You deserve it.” Giovanna bent down, hugged Mary, and got a stripe of lipstick on her shoulder. Her only thought had been how this trauma would affect Angelina, but now she was reminded that, to a lesser degree, everyone in the family would have scars.
At nine thirty, Giovanna had to convince Mary it was time to go home. They met Rocco and Clement on the stoop returning from selling sweet potatoes to the chilled trick-or-treaters.
“Papa! I got many pennies!” Mary held up her bag.
“I think you made more than we did, Mary!” answered Rocco, winking.
When they opened the door, Frances was pacing the little kitchen, holding an envelope.
“Angelina is alive.”
Giovanna tore the envelope from Frances’s hand.
“Frances! How did you get this?” shouted Rocco.
“I was on the stoop. Someone in a mask came up to me, handed me the envelope, and said ‘Trick or treat.’ I didn’t know, I didn’t know.” Frances broke down in tears.
“Frances,” said Giovanna embracing her, “There’s nothing you could have done.”
“The children can’t be alone. Ever,” commanded Rocco.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1909
“Lupo, you’re crazy. Why did you want to meet here?”
“Because, Pietro, I want them all to see me,” Lupo said expansively.
Lupo and Inzerillo were having dinner at Delmonico’s on Beaver Street. The restaurant was filled with local politicians making last-minute plans for the morning.
“I still don’t get it.”
“They need to think I’m more involved in the election tomorrow than I really am. The feds are all over us for counterfeiting, and we need the locals’ protection.”
“But there’s a warrant for your arrest, Lupo.”
“Pietro, who would arrest me tonight?”
“I understand that, but next week? They’ll be forced to.”
“I’ve got it worked out. They want me for fleeing bankruptcy, but instead, I’ll become the victim. I’ll go to the police and say I was blackhanded. By the time they finish the investigation, I’ll be gone.”
Inzerillo couldn’t help but laugh. “Shrewd. What about the Manzella case? There’s a warrant out for your arrest on that one, too.”
“I have a few days; I’ll deal with Manzella.”
“Well, then,” smirked Inzerillo, “a toast to your return.”
“And to All Saints Day!”
After clinking wine glasses, Lupo asked, “What’s the story with the fruit seller?”
“Every few weeks they come up with more money.”
“Good. Tell Leo not to do anything stupid. We need the cash.”
“He said the Gallucci brothers were hysterical the other day, claiming the kid’s mother was a witch and knew too much.”
“The Galluccis are greenhorns. You’ve talked to her, what do you think?”
“She’s smart. But she’s not going anywhere. She’s desperate to get that kid back.”
“Then tell Leo to keep the greenhorns in line.”
“I have. And I will.”
“They should be working the election tomorrow. Everybody we have should be working.”
“They’ll all be out. What about you?”
“I’m going to keep my eye on Leo. I want to make sure he’s not been taking advantage of my absence.”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1909
Giovanna got out the dropper to add black magic to her note.
Take this $155 and give me my daughter or I will tell Edwin Reese that in addition to being involved in elections you are kidnappers.