Chapter Ten
Contains spoilersOverview
Jack Lapsford pulls the emergency brake, but the train does not stop, revealing Anna Matheson’s control over the situation. Anna introduces Seamus Callahan, posing as a conductor, who refuses to stop the train, and the conspirators push forward through an emptied train toward the locked locomotive door. As they advance, Judd Dodge reflects on Kenneth Wentworth’s manipulation and his own resentment toward Arthur Matheson, admitting his culpability. The chapter ends with Judd desperately pounding on the reinforced door, seeking to reach the engineers to halt the Phoenix.
Summary
Jack Lapsford yanked the emergency brake repeatedly, but the Phoenix did not slow. Judd Dodge explained that the brake only alerts conductors, who then inform the engineers to stop, if needed. A large man who had been guarding Anna Matheson stepped forward, and Anna identified him as Seamus Callahan, brother of Sean Callahan, one of the thirty-six men who died with Tommy Matheson. Seamus declared he would not tell the engineer to stop the train.
Lapsford insisted he would go to the cab himself. He, Herb Pulaski, Sally Lawrence, and Edith Gerhardt rushed out; Judd followed, not expecting success but wanting distance from Anna and Seamus. Anna told Seamus to act if they got out of hand, and Seamus loomed over the group as he herded them through the train.
The group moved through the dining car, galley, club car, and coach lounge, slowing as they realized the train was empty. Seamus confirmed everyone else was gone. Judd, carrying a scrap of Judd’s own blueprint that implicated him, recognized that even this piece could doom him and reflected that Kenneth Wentworth had likely kept incriminating materials despite assurances of their destruction.
As they advanced, Judd recalled how Wentworth had courted his resentment at a Matheson Christmas party, implying Arthur Matheson took all the credit for the Phoenix although Judd had done the crucial design work. Nursing grievance and ambition, Judd had agreed to Wentworth’s plot without considering the human cost, seeking the recognition and life he believed he deserved.
They reached the baggage car, now empty and echoing, and confronted the steel-reinforced door leading to the narrow internal passage Judd had designed so engineers could change shifts without stopping the train. Lapsford tried the handle; the door was locked, as was standard for security. Lapsford knocked; Judd, panicking at the prospect of arrest and prison, shoved him aside and pounded on the door, determined to force access and stop the engine himself if necessary.
The chapter closed with Judd hammering on the door, awaiting a response from the engineers that could determine their fate as the Phoenix sped toward Chicago and likely arrest.
Who Appears
- Anna Matheson
accuser and orchestrator of the trap; reveals Seamus Callahan’s identity and maintains control of the train’s operation.
- Seamus Callahan
new; brother of Sean Callahan (killed in the explosion); posing as conductor; refuses to stop the train and escorts the group forward.
- Judd Dodge
engineer/designer of the Phoenix; explains the emergency brake; reflects on guilt and Wentworth’s manipulation; attempts to reach the engineers.
- Jack Lapsford
conspirator; pulls emergency brake and leads the rush toward the cab.
- Herb Pulaski
conspirator; follows Lapsford toward the front.
- Sally Lawrence
conspirator; follows Lapsford toward the front.
- Edith Gerhardt
conspirator; quietly joins the push toward the cab.
- Kenneth Wentworth
conspirator; discussed in Judd’s memories as the instigator who exploited Judd’s resentment and likely kept incriminating evidence.
- Sean Callahan
victim; discussed as one of the thirty-six men killed with Tommy Matheson.
- Arthur (Art) Matheson
victim of the frame-up; discussed in Judd’s reflections as receiving public credit for the Phoenix.
- Tommy Matheson
victim; referenced as among the dead in the explosion.