“We think the train’s about to be robbed,” the Stranger said.

The engineer didn’t respond, but his shoulders tensed. The Stranger said, “What does the flare mean?”

“The caretaker wants us to go onto the loop,” the engineer said. “It’s an emergency measure in case the train needs maintenance or there are concerns about the bridge ahead. But I was not aware . . .”

“Kid, cover the entrance,” the Stranger said.

The Kid nodded. He moved quietly and stood guard, guns drawn. His cheerful grin was back on his face, the same one he wore when he won at cards.

“Can you take her straight on?” the Stranger said.

“Override the switch? It’s too dangerous,” the engineer said. He touched the controls and the train began to slow as it rose and then began its descent towards the island. He barked a command in a language the Stranger didn’t know. The stoker didn’t pause from his job but he began to feed the flames more slowly, and in half measures, and the ghosts seemed to last longer in that fashion, and their faces lingered in the Stranger’s mind, and their lips formed silent words he did not wish to interpret.

At that moment the door to the cab exploded inwards.

The Kid was thrown back and the door slammed against the floor with a heavy thump. The Stranger’s gun pointed at the invaders but the engineer shouted, “No shooting!” and he withheld his fire.

There were three of them who streamed in, and one standing guard outside. They did not hold guns but rather small and lethal-looking mechanical crossbows, which had been strapped to their backs but now pointed at the Stranger and at the engineer’s back. The Kid was on the floor and a small woman stood over him pointing her weapon at his heart. He remained lying.

“Bring her down slow,” the woman said. “This is a robbery.”

“No shit,” the Stranger said, wearily.

The engineer cursed softly, under his breath, but he did as he was told.

“No one has to get hurt,” Loretta said, more in hope than in confidence. Simone had her crossbow aimed at the kid on the ground and Eduardo now moved to cover the engineer, making sure there would be no surprises. Charlie stood guard outside, and it left Loretta to cover the tall gangly stranger who wasn’t even supposed to be there. No one paid attention to the stoker. “Just don’t try to be a hero,” she said.

“Trust me,” the Stranger said. “No one here’s a hero.”

“We just want your cargo,” Loretta said.

“Shut up, Loretta,” Simone said.

“What cargo?” the Stranger said. “Substance?”