Chapter summaries With a Vengeance Riley Sager

Chapter 26 (Chapter Twenty-Five) Summary – With a Vengeance

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Lt. Col. Jack Lapsford, drawing on his military experience, decides that silence is his only safe strategy during the interrogation. He recalls that Judd Dodge confessed to drawing the blueprint and was killed shortly after; Lapsford is determined not to make the same mistake. A flashback to a dinner with Kenneth Wentworth reveals that Wentworth blackmailed Lapsford over a war-profiteering deal with Barnett Aeronautical. Wentworth threatened to expose Lapsford unless he participated in the scheme, which promised enormous profit. When Lapsford asked the true motive, Wentworth admitted he hated Arthur Matheson because “He took something from me.” Lapsford reluctantly agreed. In the present, Agent Reginald Davis and Anna Matheson press Lapsford about the murders of Judd Dodge and Edith Gerhardt. Lapsford refuses to answer without a lawyer. Anna reveals that Edith told her Lapsford was in the galley shortly after departure, contradicting his earlier denial. Lapsford clams up entirely. After five more minutes of fruitless questioning, Davis and Anna leave. Lapsford considers it a temporary victory.

Key Events

  • Lapsford’s internal reflection on the importance of a battle plan and silence as a defense.
  • Flashback to a dinner where Wentworth blackmailed Lapsford over his illegal deal with Barnett Aeronautical.
  • Wentworth reveals his hatred for Arthur Matheson, saying Matheson “took something from me.”
  • In the present, Lapsford is questioned by Agent Davis and Anna about the murders.
  • Anna uses Edith’s prior statement to expose Lapsford’s lie about being in the galley.
  • Lapsford invokes his right to a lawyer and falls silent.
  • The interrogation ends with both sides aware the conflict is ongoing.

Character Development

Jack Lapsford – This chapter provides the deepest look yet into Lapsford’s background. A former military officer willing to engage in war profiteering, he is now cornered by blackmail and murder accusations. His discipline enables him to maintain silence, but his earlier words have already created suspicion. His private fears reveal a pragmatic, self-preserving nature.

Anna Matheson – Anna takes on a more assertive investigative role. She uses the information Edith gave her to challenge Lapsford directly, showing she is piecing together timelines and contradictions. Her keen observation pushes Lapsford into retreat.

Kenneth Wentworth – Although not present in the scene, Wentworth’s motive is clarified through the flashback. His hatred of Arthur Matheson drives the entire conspiracy. The nature of what Matheson “took” remains ambiguous, deepening the mystery.

Agent Reginald Davis – Davis is portrayed through Lapsford’s prejudiced eyes as flashy and self-important. His questioning technique is awkward, and he fails to break Lapsford’s silence, showing that he is not a formidable interrogator.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Silence as a Weapon – Lapsford repeatedly equates silence with survival. His military training taught him that saying nothing avoids self‑incrimination. This motif echoes earlier scenes where characters’ speech—like Judd’s confession—proved fatal.

Blackmail and Corruption – Wentworth’s blackmail of Lapsford illustrates how corruption spreads through coercion. Lapsford’s past crime (war profiteering) makes him vulnerable, and Wentworth exploits that vulnerability for personal revenge.

The Past’s Grip – The flashback shows that events before the train journey—the dinner, the deal, the theft from Wentworth—continue to dictate present actions. Lapsford cannot escape the consequences of his earlier choices.

The Unspoken Object – Wentworth’s statement that Matheson “took something from me” becomes a symbol for the elusive true motive. The reader knows that Wentworth wants to destroy Matheson, but the specific loss remains hidden, driving suspense.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter Twenty-Five (Chapter 26) is a turning point for two reasons. First, it finally reveals Kenneth Wentworth’s motive: personal hatred of Arthur Matheson, not the patriotic cause he claimed. Second, it exposes Lapsford as a deeper participant in the scheme than previously understood, and it shows Anna becoming more capable of extracting information. The chapter also reinforces the life‑or‑death stakes of silence and speech aboard the train.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Lapsford believe silence is the best defense?
    Lapsford learned during his military career that staying silent prevents self‑incrimination. He witnessed Judd Dodge confess and die afterward. He decides that saying nothing—even if it makes him appear guilty—is safer than giving Anna and Davis more ammunition.

  2. What does Wentworth reveal about his true motive during the flashback?
    Wentworth admits that he hates Arthur Matheson because Matheson “took something from me.” He wants to destroy Matheson, not rally the country for the war effort. This revelation changes the reader’s understanding of the entire scheme from a patriotic plot to a personal vendetta.

  3. How does Anna use Edith’s statement to pressure Lapsford?
    Anna tells Lapsford that Edith reported seeing him in the galley shortly after the train departed. This contradicts Lapsford’s earlier denial, forcing him to either lie again or admit the truth. Unable to explain, Lapsford invokes his right to an attorney and clams up entirely.

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