The fourth episode of All Her Fault season 1 commences with a man's arrival at a convenience store, where he purchases a few boxes of macaroni and cheese. As he turns to leave, his gaze catches the TV news about Milo's kidnapping. Later, as he returns to his car, Milo is revealed to be in the backseat, his once-blonde hair now an unfamiliar color. The man inquires if Milo enjoys his "vacation bed," promising to return him soon. Milo then inquires about Carrie, and the man explains that she is too famous and must remain hidden. Milo asks if the man is famous too, and he replies that it would be a problem if he became famous. He pulls out a gun and places it on the passenger seat, a chilling reminder of the tension in the air.
Elsewhere, Alcaras and his wife discuss the possibility of Sam gaining admission into a better school through a lottery. While they feel guilty about needing this help, they are also desperate for their son to secure that one spot. However, they are also grateful that Sam is growing into an amazing human being.
The following morning, Alcaras updates his wife on the case's progress, and Casey worries about the anonymous man's potential violence. She leaves for work, and Alcaras prepares Sam for school. As he gives Sam a packet of Skittles to distract him while talking to Jenny, Alcaras hopes that Jacob can help identify the mysterious man. Unfortunately, Jacob has no clue who he is. With no other choice left, Alcaras calls Marissa and informs her that they will have to go public with the man's picture. Marissa, of course, worries about the consequences for Milo's chances.
After the calls, Alcaras drops Sam off at his school and reflects on a week earlier when Rick, the person in charge of deciding the school lottery, called him and asked for a favor. Rick wanted Alcaras to switch the Xanax with Tylenol before the evidence was sent to the lab for testing, but Alcaras refused, even if it meant Sam losing his chance of getting into the school. His refusal was not out of selfishness but rather a principled stand.
Meanwhile, the police release the mysterious man's information and wait for the public's response. However, nothing useful comes from Carrie's car or the milkshake shop. Esther visits the police station and talks to Alcaras and Greco, revealing that the man in the picture is Kyle. She fostered him for a few months before he turned 18, adding another layer of intrigue to the already complex case.
Esther harbors a deep-seated mistrust towards the notion that Kyle was involved in the kidnapping. She was overjoyed when Kyle secured a construction job post his exit from the foster system, a beacon of hope in his bleak future. Yet, fate took a cruel turn when Kyle was subsequently arrested for possession of controlled substances, landing him in prison for six long years. Tragically, Esther remained oblivious to the web of deception Kyle had weaved with Carrie.
With the newfound information, the police's attention shifted to Kyle, a thread that led them to the prison where Carrie had visited him a week before his release. They spoke with Kyle's former roommate, who was more than willing to share his insights. The man recounted that Kyle had been unusually quiet after Carrie's visit and hinted at a possible familial connection between the two. He urged Alcaras and Greco to canvas Kyle's old neighborhood if they were determined to uncover the truth about Kyle and Milo.
Alcaras and Greco swiftly identified Kyle's former construction company, staking out the premises with keen anticipation. As they waited, Alcaras shared a haunting documentary he had watched on children with Sam's disability, his thoughts intertwined with concerns for his son's future. Greco reassured him that they were doing an exemplary job with Sam, reminding him of Sam's unwavering joy.
Their vigilance paid off when they spotted a woman leaving the construction company. They approached her, inquiring about Kyle and Carrie. The woman resisted their questions, taking the opportunity to board a bus and stumble upon the news of Milo's kidnapping. Her gaze lingered on the headline, pondering why Josie had assumed the identity of Carrie.
Later, Alcaras visited Marissa to fill her in on the case's developments. Marissa's anxiety heightened as she listened to Kyle's past transgressions. Alcaras also inquired about Peter's family and the impact Brian's accident had on them. The conversation eventually turned to Sam, and Alcaras confessed his genuine worries about his son's future, his words laden with love and concern.
Before departing, he shared with Marissa the intricate web of connections between Kyle and Esther. He revealed that Kyle had deliberately sent Marissa to Esther, knowing full well that she would need a kind soul on her darkest day. The revelation underscored the intricate tapestry of life's twists and turns, each thread interwoven with the potential for unexpected outcomes.
As the afternoon sun casts its golden glow, Alcaras picks up Sam from school, his little bundle of joy. The teachers' praises for Sam are abundant, echoing through the air like the laughter of children. Later, as the family gathers around the dinner table, their conversation is filled with warmth and laughter, preparing for a peaceful night's rest. But before the night's tranquility can settle in, Alcaras makes a quiet exit to the station, swapping the Xanax for Tylenol with a stealthy dexterity. He then sends a text to Rick, informing him of his accomplishment, their plan now fully in motion.
In the predawn hours, Alcaras' phone rings with a call from his partner. The woman from the convenience store had recognized Kyle and called the police. Alcaras inquires about the specific brand of mac ‘n’ cheese Kyle had purchased, a small detail that sparks a chain of events. Their investigation leads them to the landlady who rented a house to Carrie. But alas, Carrie had already checked out. As they delve deeper into the house, they find blood under the sink, a gruesome reminder of what may have transpired there. They call in forensics to search for more evidence, their minds racing with unanswered questions.
The forensic team begins its own search on the lake near the rental property, while Alcaras waits with a growing sense of unease. Just as he's beginning to let his guard down, Casey calls with the sweet news that Sam has been accepted into his new school. But then, an officer's voice breaks through the calm, informing Alcaras that they've found a body in the lake. The sun hasn't yet risen to greet the new day, but the news has already cast a shadow over their hopes and dreams.
