Chapter 21 Summary and Analysis

Henry's first response to being arrested is to try to con the police. He dangles information as bait but refuses to actually divulge any names or details. "Henry continued to scramble, hustle, and con for days after his arrest, but these were the last spastic jerks of a hood whose time had expired, the final reflex actions of a wiseguy who did not yet know that he was already dead" (p. 261). Karen and the children are not immediately alarmed by Henry's arrest. The kids are so inured to having their home searched by police that they continue watching television during the search. Karen soon realizes that Henry is nervous; Jimmy and Mickey are acting strange, too, calling her frequently to ask when Henry is getting home. Henry instructs Karen to tell the Burkes that he has decided to stay in jail...