Elizabeth Street - Laurie Fabiano [74]
Rocco had invented a hundred reasons not to be in the store that day. He didn’t trust that he wouldn’t kill the blackmailer and put his family in danger. Besides, if his wife wanted to pay them, let her do it.
Giovanna cranked the awning down and struggled to get the barrels back into the store. Taking the day’s diminished proceeds, Giovanna locked the door and headed home. She was alone because Frances had already picked up Angelina at closing time. Remembering that she hadn’t gotten milk, she turned the corner onto Mulberry Street. A shiver ran down her spine when she realized she was being followed. She ducked into a fish store, pretending to shop, but when she turned around, she bumped into a short man wearing a derby.
“Signora, I am sorry I frightened you, but I didn’t want anyone to see me go into your store.”
Giovanna looked down and recognized the man’s pockmarked face.
“I am Lieutenant Petrosino of the Italian Squad.”
“I know who you are.” Giovanna continued to scrutinize the fish.
“We can help you, signora. The police are not like they are in Italy. We can be trusted.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Giovanna said coolly, while inside she was panicking. Who could have told the police?
As if in answer, the lieutenant said, “I’ve seen suspicious men going into your store. Did they send you letters?”
“You must be mistaken, signore.” Noticing glances in their direction from the other customers, she ignored him entirely and worked her way in among the women at the counter jostling for service. “Pescespada!” she called, and a moment later she was relieved to see that the lieutenant was not in sight. But when she exited the store, her swordfish wrapped in paper and tucked under her arm, he was there.
Petrosino walked quickly to keep up with her. “Signora, give us a chance. You are not trapped.”
“Signore, I am Scillese. I have been trapped between a rock and a hard place my entire life.” Turning back onto Elizabeth Street, Giovanna changed her tone. “I’m sorry, but you seem to have me confused with someone else.” Lieutenant Petrosino held back and let her go.
“Zia! Swordfish!” squealed Mary when Giovanna walked in the door.
“But, Zia, I already made chi chi beans!” exclaimed Frances, wiping her hands on her apron and looking older than her twelve years.
“Well, tonight we’ll have chi chi beans and swordfish.”
Rocco, who was already home, looked at his wife suspiciously. Giovanna was glad they still weren’t speaking.
A tall, thin man walked into Siena’s Fruit and Vegetables. Giovanna recognized him as her neighbor, the cafe owner of 226 Elizabeth Street. “Signore Inzerillo,” greeted Giovanna. “What can I get you?”
“Actually, signora, I came to see if I could be of assistance to you.”
Giovanna looked skeptically at the dignified-looking man, who sported the thickest mustache she had ever seen.
“I’ve heard that gentlemen outside the neighborhood have been blackmailing you for money.”
Stunned, Giovanna stared at the man before saying, “Is there a sign on my door that I didn’t see?”
Pietro Inzerillo laughed. “Signora, little goes on in this neighborhood that’s unnoticed.”
It sounded too real to be amusing. “What is it you want to tell me, signore?” asked Giovanna.
“It’s what I want to do for you. I’ve been here a while, and I hate to see fellow shopkeepers fall prey to these animals. Unlike the police, I know who these men are. I can influence their actions.”
“And why would you do me this favor, signore?”
“Because you are my neighbor. I can offer you real protection. Not like the extortionists who only want your money. I will see to it that no one touches your family or store.”
“Signore, are you offering to protect our store for a fee?”
“I am offering you a security service.”
“How much does this security service cost?”
“As you’re a new store owner, I would give you the lowest rate of thirty dollars per week, and I will have a man guard your store each evening.”