Chapter 50 Summary

Jennifer woke up early after a night filled with unsettling dreams about Tony being attacked. Her growing concern for his safety and the slow pace of the police investigation left her anxious. Looking for a distraction, she checked her emails and found a message from FBI Special Agent Javon Morris. His update on the Jenkins case explained that Jenkins had been traced to Italy but disappeared after leaving a hotel in Galliano. Reading the message gave her an idea; maybe Javon could help with Tony’s situation.

When Jennifer called Javon, she thanked him for the update before changing the subject to Tony’s situation. She explained that Tony’s friend had been assaulted and that a cryptic message was found at the scene: “The living delivers a warning; the dead will reveal the consequences of a warning ignored.” Javon was stunned; he’d received the same message in an envelope at his FBI office just days earlier. The revelation linked the two incidents, suggesting the threat was not local but part of something bigger, possibly national.

Jennifer encouraged Javon to get involved in the Austin investigation, concerned about Tony’s safety and annoyed that police couldn’t provide 24/7 protection. Javon agreed to discuss the matter with his supervisor and promised to give her updates as soon as he could, assuring her that the FBI would now work with Austin authorities on the case.

Meanwhile, Bravo prepared for his mission. In a St. Louis hotel, he examined a dangerous collection of weapons and gear he had recently acquired: guns, grenades, smoke bombs, knives, and tactical supplies. He carefully sharpened his blades and finalized his plan: use a cell phone as bait to lure Remington, uncover Hernandez’s true identity, and then eliminate the real target behind the operation. Flipping through a local real estate guide, he found an ideal spot for confrontation: a vacant warehouse in Granite City, Illinois, just across the bridge from downtown St. Louis, and set out to inspect it, his anticipation evident in his stride.

Back in Austin, Tony visited Steven at the hospital. To his relief, Steven announced that he had decided to take the apartment Tony had found near the rehabilitation clinic. Tony confessed that he had already leased it for a year, confident that Steven would choose it. The new home would be fully furnished and ready by August 1st, ensuring a smooth transition once Steven was discharged. Sincerely grateful, Steven thanked Tony for his unwavering support, though he admitted feeling guilty about his current condition. Tony brushed it off with humor and reassurance, emphasizing that Steven’s only job was to heal. As they spoke, Steven revealed that, despite progress in therapy, his memories of the attack remained buried—a troubling gap that both men hoped would soon be resolved.

Chapter 49 Summary

Tony returned to his hotel after visiting Steven at the hospital. Steven was making progress in his recovery and was close to deciding which apartment to move into, although he hadn’t fully committed yet. Tony called Jennifer to catch up and update her on the situation. During the call, he explained Steven’s progress, the apartments he had found, and the one he had already leased for a year, confident Steven would choose it in the end.

Their discussion shifted to the recent unsettling incident involving the cryptic note found in Steven’s apartment: “The living delivers a warning; the dead will reveal the consequences of a warning ignored.” Tony explained how the note had triggered a violent reaction from Steven, requiring sedation, and how authorities were handling the case carefully. Jennifer expressed concern for both Steven and Tony, sparking a conversation about potential danger and Tony’s need to stay alert. Tony reassured her that he was prepared to protect himself and Steven while letting law enforcement handle the investigation, though he admitted frustration over having no leads.

The conversation also uncovered additional security measures Tony had put in place for his staff in Newport, showing the ripple effect the threat had triggered. Jennifer asked Tony to check in at least twice a day, and he agreed, adding a bit of humor to ease the tension. The call wrapped up on a reassuring, positive note, highlighting their strong bond and mutual concern for safety amid the ongoing threat to Steven and Tony.

Chapter 48 Summary

Javon returned to the office after meeting with Helen Chan and found an email from Angelina, but there was still no new information on Walter Jenkins. The update confirmed that the lead had stalled; without travel records or credit-card activity, tracking Jenkins beyond Galliano would be challenging under the Schengen freedom of movement. Javon felt the case tightening into frustrating unknowns.

Across town, tensions increased among Cortez’s hired operatives. Roger Cortez finally reached out to Bravo with a new task: eliminate Special Agent Javon Morris. Bravo sharply refused, saying he wouldn't target an FBI agent, and the call quickly turned into threats and bluster from both sides. Bravo warned Cortez that disobedience would be costly, then he hung up.

Realizing Bravo posed a genuine threat to their plans, Cortez panicked and shifted tactics, redirecting his resources and instructing Hernandez/Remington to concentrate on Bravo instead. The conversation with Remington revealed family tension: Remington, who had long protected his younger brother Roger, admitted he was tired and wary of further unquestioning obedience. He warned Roger that Bravo was different from previous hires and could be dangerous to face.

Instead of backing down, Cortez doubled down, insisting that protection was essential and barking orders to hunt Bravo using the GPS tracker linked to Larry’s phone. Bravo, sensing he was now the target, turned off his phone, slipped out of the hotel, and began planning a counterstrategy, intending to use the tracker as bait to lure the hunters into a trap.

By the chapter’s end, the balance shifts: quotes of fear, loyalty, and family obligation collide. Cortez is frantic and reactive; Remington is reluctant but bound; Bravo is determined and proactive; and Javon keeps chasing dead ends in the Jenkins investigation, unaware that the violence around him is about to intensify.