12 - Gardening and Good Samaritans

Rocco is troubled by his dreams reminding him of his promise to the Graces. However, today is a work day. He and Marco, Astore, Fra. Giovanni and Father Arturo make their way over to the Black Cat, in a group for safety. They proceed without incident, the streets being somewhat quieter than before, the battle for the Colliseo being over - or at least suspended for now. However, Rocco has a suspicion that the house was watched and that their movements dogged. At the Black Cat they meet Trucco and agree that at least for now they might as well be the liaison for Fra Michele at the Baths of Diocletian.

On their return to the Hose of Crows they receive a visitor. A dapper fellow who gives his name as Gepetto Bardone, knocks politely at the door. He is flanked by a couple of bruisers. Although he is courteous in his demeanour, it soon becomes clear that he is here to demand protection money. They decline. He leaves suggesting that it might have been better had they listened to his reasonable demands.

The following morning they leave by a clandestine route, nipping over the garden wall and make their way to the rendezvous for Fra Michele. Rocco negotiates his way inside with the aid of Venetian gold. He and Renzo have a wary conversation where each hints at a greater knowledge but neither come clean, though Renzo does voice his admiration for Cola and his ideas for a better Rome. He also knows of the Bardoni - a Suburra gang - and has nothing good to say of them. His henchman, Lino guides Rocco to the rent in the ground that they use as a midden. Rocco wields away with his pruning hook at the foliage around the hole.

Gerdening done, the group make their way to the Black Cat once more. Traversing the city is difficult today, there appears to be widespread disorder in the area around the half-built Colonna Palazzo. When they finally make it to the Black Cat, it is quite late in the afternoon. Trucco has heard of the Bardoni and says more or less the same of them as Renzo. They are a Suburra gang and comprise two brothers of whom Gepetto is the elder and the brains of the outfit. His brother Carlo has an evil reputation for violence and breeds savage dogs. There is an aunt, known as Signora Scopatora, who is a well-known fence. They must be going up in the world if they are now trying to collect rents on the Viminale.

Returning to the House of the Crows proves difficult, for the situation around the Palazzo Colonna resembles a pitched battle. The most direct route would take them through the Suburra, but they are reluctant to risk that. They eventually take a very circuitous route up the Quirinale, where they run into a street robbery in progress. They rescue what proves to be a couple of Jews and their donkey from a bunch of street toughs. One of the Jews is badly injured. They realise that the Deliziosa is nearby so they seek shelter there and succour for the wounded man.

They are flabbergasted to find Bettina there. She has bad news. A band of ruffians came to the House of Crows that afternoon with a battering ram. She and Marisa shot a few crossbow bolts and skipped out the back. Marisa is hanging around to see what she can find out about their attackers. She came to the only place she knew in Rome - the Deliziosa, in the hope that they could get a message to the Black Cat. It was a miracle that they showed up here too.