Atticus, George, Hippolyta, Horace, Letitia, Montrose, Pirate Joe, Abdullah, Mortimer, and a man named Quincy Brown meet at the Freemasons temple. Quincy is the lodge door-warden, and he holds a sword and pistol as he welcomes the others into the building. The characters take turns explaining the events of the past year. One-by-one, they talk about how they became embroiled in the schemes involving the Braithwhites. They conclude that Caleb is “going to war” (290) against Lancaster and he wants their help. Ruby arrives with Caleb’s instructions, as well as a heavily modified version of her own story. After she explains his plan to kill Lancaster, however, she tells the others that they cannot trust Caleb. They all agree to “get rid of him, too” (292). The characters seek advice from the ghost of Hiram Winthrop on how to remove the protective mark of Cain from Caleb’s body. They offer Winthrop his stolen books and news of his dead son in exchange for the advice.

The next night, Caleb collects Atticus. They drive to Lancaster’s country club, past the members-only sign at the gate. They encounter Lancaster’s detectives, who roughly frisk them before allowing them up to the main building.