Episode 5 of American Rust kicks off with Del Harris, relentless in his pursuit of Bobby, storming into an abandoned house that shelters a group of homeless souls. Among them, he singles out Karl, gripping him firmly and dangling the specter of a decade-long prison sentence to extract information. Karl, caving under the pressure, spills the beans, albeit with a twist: he refers to a "Methadonist spot," when in fact, he means a Methodist church nestled in Hayland.
Despite being sidelined from the investigation, Del's determination burns bright. He enlists Steve, his steadfast companion, to embark on a clandestine mission to the deserted church. The clock is ticking mercilessly, as Del is racing against time—he's got a mere 10 hours to clear Billy's name before the boy's interrogation commences. Time, it seems, has become Del's most ruthless adversary.
Elsewhere, Lee's heart is heavy as she calls Ale, informing him of her need for yet another semester's hiatus to aid Henry in his new beginnings. Seeking legal guidance, she steps into a law firm only to be confronted with a cruel reality: a choice between aiding Isaac or Henry, for their interests collide like opposing tides. Lee finds herself navigating treacherous waters, caught between two worlds.
Meanwhile, Grace, fueled by her unionization crusade, boldly confronts the dressmakers' boss, announcing that a formidable 51% of the workforce stands united behind their cause. The boss, unfazed, warns of dire consequences, hinting at relocation or even the closure of the business. Yet, Grace knows that these employees yearn for basic rights—health benefits and paid leave—privileges they've been denied.
However, not all are receptive to Grace's message. Later, as she exits the premises, she's met with a stark reminder of dissent. Her car, a victim of vandalism, lies in the parking lot, its tail-light shattered, a grim symbol of the opposition her efforts face.
As her world crumbles around her, Billy's existence also undergoes a dramatic upheaval. Virgil, in the dead of night, lifts Billy from his slumber in a makeshift tent and embarks on a journey northbound to Canada, with Billy as his unwitting passenger. But Billy resists the urge to flee, lambasting Virgil for his cowardice in shirking responsibilities and refusing to follow suit. His indignation boils over, compelling him to jerk the steering wheel violently, abruptly ejecting Billy onto the desolate roadside.
Elsewhere, Del Harris stumbles upon a grim scene—a pair, Melanie and Tom, their lives temporarily suspended by fentanyl's deadly embrace. As they awaken in the hospital's sterile confines, Del appears, his questions for Melanie probing and relentless. The trail leads to a nefarious new player, operating from the shadows of Palm Gardens, a man who bears an eerie resemblance to the Savior himself, a detail that Del latches onto with religious fervor.
Armed with this slender clue, Del and Steve descend upon Palm Gardens, only to be met with the enigmatic name "Bobby Jesus" from the property's manager. His payments are in crisp bills, his whereabouts, however, shrouded in mystery.
With little progress to show, Del's steps turn homeward, where Billy, deposited by Lee, awaits his inevitable interrogation. Grace, a beacon of compassion, lends a hand, trimming Billy's hair and whispering promises of a brighter future once this dark chapter closes.
But Lee's return home brings an unexpected surprise—Ale, already present, waiting for her. The encounter jars Lee, her equilibrium disrupted despite Henry and Ale's seemingly harmonious bond. A text from Billy, terse yet poignant—"Can't meet, love you"—further unsettles her.
Del, after depositing Billy into police custody, imparts words of wisdom to brace the boy for the ordeal ahead. Yet, upon his own return home, he faces a new adversary—Chuck, a man with a score to settle. "I've come to collect on that debt, my friend," Chuck declares, as Del braces himself for the impending storm.
