Elizabeth Street - Laurie Fabiano [99]
“Thank you, Lieutenant. But that isn’t why you asked me here, is it?”
“No. I have a question. Do you know Manzella’s store, two doors from you?”
“Of course. He just closed his shop.”
“He filed for bankruptcy. I was suspicious and questioned him. It turns out that for three years Lupo had been extorting money from him.”
“But Lupo’s gone! Do you believe Manzella?”
“I believe him, because this was something he had no intention of telling. What it means is that Lupo left town with a lot of money—Manzella’s cash and his creditor’s money.”
“Does this make you think Lupo was behind the bombing of our store?”
“No, no, I didn’t say that. It might. It might not. But this is your block, signora, so I want you to keep an eye out for the bulldog-faced wolf and watch Inzerillo.”
“What of Manzella?”
“He’s looking for work. If we ever find Lupo, we’ll prosecute him.”
It was clear that Petrosino was preoccupied and didn’t want to take this conversation further. As he walked her down the stairs, Giovanna asked, “And your little girl, how is she?”
“Oh, signora, she is beautiful! She’s two months old today. And when she sees her papa, it’s all smiles!”
“And your wife, is she well?”
“Sì, thank you for asking.”
At the door, Giovanna commented, “I saw in the papers that you now have a secret service to fight the Black Hand.”
“Yes, signora. Even though the Board of Aldermen wouldn’t fund it, Commissioner Bingham got it funded privately. We also have the Italian government’s cooperation. We can begin deporting all the criminals who have taken haven here.”
“Should I begin working on our case again, Lieutenant?”
“Well…yes, yes, of course, signora. You come see me. If I am not here, be sure you work with Lieutenant Vachris. There are new photos for you to review.”
“I’ll do that, Lieutenant. Arrivederci.”
Giovanna watched the little man turn back up the stairs into his headquarters at 19 Elizabeth Street.
FEBRUARY 7, 1909
Clement was between jobs and helping his father. It was difficult to find construction work in the winter.
Rocco took advantage of their time together and lectured Clement incessantly. “When you’re my age, you won’t push a cart, or even build someone else’s building. You will have your own business. Your own house. You can’t have another man own you. Work every day and save your money for these things. You hear me, Clement?”
“Yes, Pop.”
“Pop? What’s Pop?”
Clement smiled. “Papa.” Clement’s Italian had become Americanized.
“See that, you speak good English. You need to speak English. In fact, from now on you only speak to me in English.”
“Papa, you don’t speak English.”
“Don’t you worry about me. I understand.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want. I’ll speak English.”
“Che?”
Clement smiled and switched back to Italian. “Papa, don’t you worry. I’ll become a rich American.”
“Va bene. You see that stronzo across the street with the brown coat? No, no, don’t be so obvious!”
Turning his head back to the cart, Clement muttered, “I see him.”
“He’s been watching us. He’s another Blackhander.”
“What would they want with us? We have nothing left.”
“I heard they even harass pushcart sellers.”
“Let me get him first,” seethed Clement.
“No! Clement, I want to cut these rats to their knees, but I don’t want you or your sisters hurt. I’ve heard too many stories from your stepmother about how they get you back. We will watch him, as he watches us.”
“But what will we do?”
“Your stepmother says the lieutenant has a secret service that will send them all back to Italy soon. For now, we will try to be invisible.”
Lieutenant Petrosino, his expression dour, was uncharacteristically slumped in the chair opposite Commissioner Bingham’s desk.
“Joe, I’m sorry it has to be you, but there really isn’t anyone else qualified to do this job. Who else could work the system and the informants to get these records?” cajoled Commissioner Bingham.
“I understand, Commissioner; it’s just that my little girl will grow so much in the three months I’m away.” Lieutenant Petrosino lowered his face