Chapter 44 Summary

Javon Morris checked his email and received a message from Angelina Bernardi confirming that Jenkins had stayed at Villa Medicea for two days, departing on June 21. Although it offered some reassurance that Jenkins had been in a safe location, his ultimate whereabouts remained unknown. Javon shifted focus to the mystery envelope delivered to the bureau during the media event. Reviewing the attendee list, he discovered several GenaSeed executives, Sandra Brown, Daniel Bruner, and Roger Cortez, were present. While he could understand Brown and Bruner’s attendance, Cortez’s presence seemed unusual. Javon planned to follow up with the company the next day and began eliminating known media personnel, narrowing the list to four unfamiliar attendees for further investigation.

At the hospital, Tony checked on Steven Schroeder, who was making steady physical progress, regaining basic motor skills, such as using a fork and spoon. Doctor Rosenthal had arranged for psychiatric support to address Steven’s emotional trauma. Laura Anderson, a soft-spoken psychiatrist in her early forties, arrived to meet Steven. After a brief introduction and clearing the room of Tony, she began working with Steven to address the lingering emotional effects of the previous day’s traumatic event.

Meanwhile, Bravo received a call from Roger Cortez. The conversation underscored the high-stakes, manipulative nature of the organization Bravo was dealing with. Cortez attempted to assert control and demand compliance, but Bravo remained defiant, emphasizing his priority of personal survival over allegiance. The interaction reinforced Bravo’s understanding that Hernandez and Cortez were dangerous, impulsive, and manipulative individuals with traits consistent with antisocial personality disorder, confirming the chaotic and perilous nature of engaging with them.