"American Rust: Broken Justice, Episode 5 unfolds with a tense confrontation between the FBI and Harris, strategizing on how to propel the investigation forward amidst Vic's absence and the lingering mystery of the missing lighter. Grace, determined and unflinching, corners Steve Park, entrusting him with her pistol for forensic scrutiny, steadfast in her assertion of innocence. She dares to reveal her awareness of his role in disseminating the footage of her confrontation with Herlitz, painting a bold portrait of her resolve.
Meanwhile, Burgos storms into the life of the professor embroiled in a secret romance with Mrs. McKenna, abruptly halting her classroom lecture and placing her under scrutiny. Confronting her with the damning CCTV footage that captured their illicit encounter with Liam McKenna mere moments before his fatal bombing, Burgos's interrogation escalates the drama.
Harris, in a clandestine mission, infiltrates Vic and Cynthia's abode, meticulously searching for any clue that might unravel Vic's whereabouts. His mission is abruptly shrouded in secrecy as an unexpected arrival forces him into hiding, waiting patiently until the intruder's departure. To Harris's surprise, it is Fisher who slips away from the apartment, igniting new questions in his mind.
Grace, striving to mend her relationship with Park, ventures into his personal domain. Inquisitive about the status of her weapon, she listens intently as Park dispels doubts, confirming her firearm's innocence in the heinous crimes. Park, however, reveals a ulterior motive, leading Grace into his basement sanctuary where he unveils his intricate crime scene replica. He poses an ultimatum, a Faustian bargain: assist him in apprehending Del Harris, and she remains unscathed; resist, and they both shall fall. Grace, confronted with a moral dilemma, declares that she has much to ponder upon before rendering her decision."
Harris and Gurgos delve into their interview with the professor, who, with a hint of reluctance, concedes that she had a fleeting encounter with Liam McKenna. She divulges that McKenna uncovered her secret affair and confronted her with dire threats, her voice laced with a shiver of fear. Despite her confession, she vehemently denies any involvement in his untimely demise, casting doubt even on the guilt of his wife, yet intriguingly reveals that the wife had hinted at a plan of her own.
Meanwhile, Burgos confronts Harris with a fire in her eyes, challenging him over his seemingly harmonious weekend with Vic, all the while reminding him of Vic's violent reputation, which Harris had been warned about. Harris finds himself at a loss for words, unable to unravel the true motive behind his friendship with Vic without compromising his undercover operation within the FBI's Brotherhood investigation.
Grace's urgent call disrupts the tension, her voice urgent as she informs Harris that a bar patron spotted Vic shortly before his disappearance and mistakenly dialed her number instead of his. This lead sets Harris's heart racing with renewed determination.
Isaac, armed with a homemade cake filled with warmth and hope, ventures to Russell's doorstep, only to be met with the cold reception of Russell's wife. His heart sinks as the reality of his unrequited feelings dawns on him, the cake now a symbol of his unspoken longing.
As the episode draws to a cliffhanger, Harris arrives at the bar, engaging in a tense conversation with the woman who was Vic's last known contact. Driven by a sense of urgency, he ventures into the woods, where he uncovers a shallow grave, his hands trembling as he unearths the tragic truth—Vic's lifeless body. Just as he stands there, stunned and grieving, Gurgos appears, her presence a stark reminder of the many unanswered questions looming large. She demands answers, her eyes piercing through the darkness.
The episode concludes with a shocking revelation, as Fisher discovers the hidden bug in the lighter, the recorded conversations spilling out, painting a sinister picture of the intricate web of deceit and betrayal that surrounds them all.
