Poppy picks up Michael, Alison, and Ryan from the airport. She explains that she’s arranged a meeting with a US Marshal through an FBI agent she trusts. The meeting is being kept secret to avoid leaks. Michael agrees but wants to see Poppy’s father in the hospital first. When Poppy demurs, Michael refuses to proceed—he insists on visiting Mac first.

Poppy gets permission for Michael to visit Mac, and Michael sits alone with his old army buddy in the hospital. He confides his doubts and fears to Mac, who is apparently unconscious. Michael goes over the options he has to solve their problem. When he gets to the final one—the one he knows is the only chance for Sophia to retain her identity—he feels Mac squeeze his hand in approval. The narrative, however, leaves the nature and details of his plan unstated at the moment, though it later reveals that he planned to kill Shane and Gina, and possibly himself, to end the feud.

Michael tells Poppy that he will only meet the US Marshals in a public place, and he will meet them alone as a safety precaution before bringing his daughter in.