Steve Shell

who provided the roofs over their heads, the food to feed their innumerable broods of children.

My barrow and lock, of course.

Polly's father had even approved construction of a baseball field, of all things, to provide even an entertainment for the citizens of Kayborough in the warmer months.

And still they received reports of agitation from their loyal men on the ground in Kayborough.

Rumors of unionization meetings held in secrets and impending strikes abounded, and the populace was on edge.

Crane and Churchman had recently paid a visit to Cabra Hotel and spent some time in its saloon, chatting with a local miner known to have a taste for gin, after which a bottle was purchased and the cheerful party retired to the very cabin they had established as their current base of operations.

And at that point, the conversation had taken a less friendly but more fruitful turn.

And in good time, Mr. Crane had persuaded the man to provide the name of a co-worker he had seen leaving coded messages in other folks' dinner pails around Pascoe No.

3.

Romeo Capriotti was the name this loyal company man had supplied Mr. Crane.

Along with an address and everything he knew about the Capriati clan, the Capriatis were a large family of the Catholic persuasion and attended Mass at St.

Barbara's every Sunday without fail.

Romeo's older sister had taken her vows with the sisters of St.

Joseph and served at an orphanage up in Charleston.

Their mama was known to make the best pepperoni rolls in Bexar County, which she made for every church potluck and picnic and sold out of a little cart at every county fair every summer.

Romeo, his three brothers, two remaining sisters and mother, lived in a sprawling old farmhouse out on the edge of Kayboro with their granddaddy.

Romeo's daddy had passed a few years back with the black lung, but the Capriotti boys had followed him into the mines.

And they brought in enough to keep the family afloat, Mrs. Capriotti and the girls, working the farm.

The family was well-liked and well-respected in the community.

They had influence.