Elizabeth Street Part 36

"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.

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"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 gla.s.ses, 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. Or instead, I could threaten Edwin Reese that I will tell his secret to the newspapers. You think your skin is on fire now? Return Angelina, or your skin will fall off the bone!

Much of the election hoopla had escaped Giovanna. She knew the basics: there was a party called Tammany, and their candidate was William Gaynor, and a party called Fusion, and their candidate was Otto Bannard. Earlier, there was a newspaperman named Hearst who was going to run, but didn't. And everyone said voting didn't matter on the Lower East Side because the Sullivans were in control.

But she did know that a man named Edwin Reese who worked in an election office had given an envelope, probably containing money, to one of the scoundrels involved in Angelina's kidnapping. And now the Blackhanders wanted the next payment dropped at the poll.

It was pouring. An American flag hung outside in the rain at P.S. 130, as did all sorts of men with b.u.t.tons covering their coats. On another corner, under umbrellas, stood three well-dressed ladies draped in sashes that read, VOTES FOR WOMEN VOTES FOR WOMEN.

Giovanna could barely walk anymore her legs were so swollen. She entered the school, shook the water from her shawl, and lumbered painfully to the gymnasium. She surveyed the setup and the faces, especially people with ribbons pinned to their chests, and headed to the precinct maps on the wall.

"Signora, can I help you?" asked a man in Italian who was accompanied by a policeman.

"My husband wants to vote, but he can't read. I came to find out where he has to go," answered Giovanna.

The official's voice changed. "Let me help you, signora. Where do you live?"

"At two...at 236 Elizabeth Street."

"That wouldn't be here, that would be at P.S. 21."

"Grazie, signore, but I think I'll take a look anyway to check for my brother." Thankfully, the man was pulled away and Giovanna had just enough time to slip the envelope behind the map.

FORTY.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1909.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1909.

"Zia, there's loads of people outside the Elizabeth Street police station," announced Mary, coming through the door after work. Giovanna was confined to bed. Lucrezia wanted to put her in the hospital, but Giovanna wouldn't allow it.

"Go to Zio Lorenzo's house and get Domenico to go with you and find out what's happening."

It was nearly an hour before Domenico and Mary returned.

"It's the Chinese, Zia. I saw Detective Fiaschetti, and he told me it was something called a tong war. Somebody got killed in August, and now the other gang killed someone in revenge."

Giovanna, who had raised herself on her elbows, fell back onto the bed. Domenico entered her room and half closed the door. "There's more, Zia."

From Domenico's expression, Giovanna could tell that it was serious. With great difficulty she once again lifted her upper body from the bed. "Go on," she instructed.

"You're going to think this is a joke, Zia."

"Any joke now would be a cruel one, and you're not cruel, Domenico."

"Detective Fiaschetti told me that Lupo came to the police station today to make a complaint. Lupo said he was blackhanded at his store on Mulberry Street and that's why he went out of business."

"Lupo? Here?"

"Yes, Zia."

"Didn't they arrest him?"

"No. The detective said something about needing to get a complaint in order."

"Lupo, on Elizabeth Street? And they let him go!"

"Zia, maybe he isn't involved."

"Maybe."

"But imagine, Zia, he said he was blackhanded!"

"Domenico, do the police still play games in the settlement gym with boys from the neighborhood?"

"I think so."

"I want you to go, Domenico. We need information on Lupo, but I don't want anyone to see you go into the police station."

"I'll try, Zia, but I don't think anyone other than Detective Fiaschetti would talk to me." Secretly, Domenico was thrilled. This gave him the permission he needed to snoop around.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1909.

It must be Sunday-they never let her out on Sunday when the men were home all day. But she couldn't hold it in anymore. The bugs had bitten her badly, and her stomach ached, and the dark of the room was frightening. They had boarded up the window when the winter came; she couldn't even see the blue shade across the street anymore. The only light in the room came from a little window high in the door. She tried to stifle the sobs. When she cried, they shouted and called her names. But today she couldn't stop. The more she tried to choke down the tears, the louder she cried. Chairs sc.r.a.ped on the floor, and she cringed against the back wall, but even the threat of the men hurting her couldn't stop the sobs. They had been meaner lately, ever since they got rashes and tore at their skin.

The window to her door blackened, and she could see the face of an animal.

"Stop it or il lupo will get you!" they called in rough voices. They bounced a stuffed bear up and down. "We said stop the G.o.dd.a.m.n crying or we promise il lupo will get you!"

"Stupid men," thought Angelina. "It's a bear, not a wolf."