The chapter opens with Reginald “Reggie” Davis reflecting on how he ended up on the train: he stayed late at the Philadelphia FBI office for a date night, only to be redirected by his boss, Ed Vesper, to 30th Street Station. Vesper had been contacted by the Chicago bureau, which received six boxes of evidence from Anna Matheson asserting a conspiracy exonerating Arthur Matheson and naming six true culprits traveling to Chicago on the Philadelphia Phoenix.

Vesper orders Reggie to board the train immediately, keep his identity secret, and ensure the six named individuals do not disembark before Chicago while Chicago agents review the evidence overnight. Reggie, the only agent available, is told not to interfere, only observe and prevent escapes. He departs with concern that public outrage could lead to attempts on the suspects’ lives.

Back in the present, after Edith Gerhardt’s body is found, Reggie reveals to Anna Matheson and Seamus Callahan that he is an FBI agent. Anna criticizes his silence and inaction, while Reggie counters that he did not know what he was entering and had strict orders not to interfere. Their debate widens to the ethics of Anna’s plan versus formal justice, with Reggie warning that many would condone the suspects killing each other, while Anna insists on keeping them alive to face justice.

Personal loss surfaces when Reggie notes he lost his father in the war, and Anna and Seamus offer brief condolences. The conversation turns tactical: Anna admits the plan was risky; Reggie confirms he is armed; and they agree they cannot simply wait for another murder. When asked for suspects, Anna names Jack Lapsford while Seamus names Dante Wentworth, revealing a rift in their views.

Reggie proposes interrogating everyone to establish alibis and motives for Edith’s murder. He exits to address the passengers gathered in the corridor and formally identifies himself as Special Agent Reginald Davis. Herb Pulaski pales, Sally Lawrence gasps, Jack Lapsford huffs, and Dante Wentworth pointedly asks if they are under arrest. Reggie says no—“not yet”—recognizing he has now made himself a target but concluding that staying out of the way is no longer possible.