Chapter 77 Summary
Tony’s ordeal deepens as his carefully staged arrest transitions into a real incarceration. After FBI processing is completed, fingerprints taken, personal belongings catalogued, and mug shots recorded, he is transferred to the St. Louis Corrections Prison. The physical reality of confinement hits hard as steel doors slam shut behind him and the prison’s intake procedures strip away any remaining sense of control. Though the FBI has arranged for him to be kept isolated from the general population, the charade weighs heavily on Tony. Lying on the hard mattress of his cell, he questions how long he can endure the deception before demanding his freedom, struggling to sleep as the gravity of his situation settles in.
Later that morning, Bravo waits in the hotel lobby for a real estate appointment, attempting to blend into a life of normalcy he no longer truly belongs to. When Tanya Diaz arrives, he is immediately captivated by her appearance and demeanor. His old-world gallantry, kissing her hand and complimenting her beauty, unintentionally unsettles her, creating tension where he had hoped for connection. Tanya, cautious and visibly uncomfortable, steers the meeting toward a public setting and tries to keep their interaction brief and professional.
Sensing her discomfort, Bravo offers a sincere apology and withdraws, only for Tanya to second-guess her reaction and attempt to salvage the meeting while maintaining boundaries. She arranges for her boss, Abe Abbott, to take over the neighborhood tour instead. Despite her efforts to smooth things over, the encounter leaves both unsettled, Tanya feeling conflicted about her judgment, and Bravo burdened by regret and self-reproach.
When Abe arrives, casual conversation unexpectedly veers into dangerous territory as Bravo is questioned about a possible connection to Roger Cortez. A seemingly innocent remark about shared names sparks a moment of internal panic for Bravo, forcing him to improvise a believable explanation to protect his cover. Though he recovers outwardly, the exchange leaves him shaken, hinting at the fragility of his assumed identity. As Abe prepares to show him the properties, Bravo remains outwardly composed but inwardly unsettled, aware that even small conversations now carry the potential for exposure.
