The passengers are sent to their cabins. Ernie and Juliette argue about whether McTavish’s death is suspicious. Ernie ticks off the reasons that those aboard the train might wish McTavish dead; when he tells Juliette about his conversation with Royce outside McTavish’s cabin and the argument he overheard in the corridor, Juliette is dismayed at his behavior and accuses him of simply wanting material for a new book. Ernie says that if a murderer is aboard, he wants to stop the killer before more murders occur because he feels bad that he wasn’t smart and quick enough to stop the series of murders on the mountain. Juliette tells him that they weren’t his fault but agrees that he should investigate a little if it makes him feel better. Ernie thinks that McTavish was poisoned and decides that he must see the body. Juliette is appalled and tells him that he needs to let the authorities handle that kind of thing. Ernie tells her that the authors aboard each have a specialty that he can call on to aid his investigation: Royce, for instance, was once a forensic pathologist. Juliette tries to express her frustration about how Ernie is obsessing over his own concerns and ignoring hers; however, he misses her meaning and leaves to find Royce.