Pay or Die!

A determined NYPD lieutenant who pushes the mayor and commissioner to form a special squad against The Black Hand. He leverages his Italian language skills to win trust among tenement residents and to recruit informants. He leads bold actions, infiltrates hideouts, and ultimately confronts the criminals directly, even at great personal risk. His arc ends with his assassination, underscoring the peril faced by anti-mafia efforts.

The daughter of a Saulino family assisted by Petrosino, Adelina falls in love with him and their romance culminates in marriage. Her relationship with Petrosino highlights the personal stakes of the crackdown on organized crime and the fusion of different communities within New York.

The matriarch of the Saulino family, she embodies the resilience and loyalty of immigrant households. Her presence anchors the family against extortion and personal danger, illustrating how crime reverberates through households.

A member of the Black Hand network and a notable enforcer figure in the criminal underworld. He represents the street-level menace that Petrosino must confront through intelligence work and direct action.

A police officer who collaborates with Petrosino, contributing to the anti-mafia effort through local knowledge and policing as part of the broader strategy.

A member of the Black Hand implicated in extortion and criminal activity. His actions help drive the early conflicts that Petrosino aims to dismantle.

The famous opera singer targeted by the Black Hand for extortion. Petrosino acts as Caruso's personal bodyguard during a tense period of risk for the artist.

A member of the community who interacts with the main cast within the social fabric of the story. Her role reflects the everyday lives affected by the crime wave.

A rookie cop trusted to carry on Petrosino's work if the worst happens, representing the next generation of law enforcement.

The city official who ultimately approves and supports Petrosino's plan to form a special squad, signaling institutional backing for reform.

A leading extortionist tied to the Black Hand, representing the core threat in the early phase of Petrosino's crackdown.

Associated with Lupo and the mob milieu, she illustrates the social reach and entanglements of the criminal operation.

A fugitive from Sicily and a symbol of the mafia's reach; described as a prominent Little Italy figure who is wanted in Sicily for double murder.

A patriarchal figure within the Saulino family, grounding the family dynamics amid crime and risk.

A member of the criminal milieu who assists the Black Hand network in various capacities relevant to extortion and intimidation.