The thrilling opener of Episode 3 in Season 1 of "Ballard" finds our protagonist riding the waves with effortless grace, the sun glistening off the ocean as she surfs. Later, Tutu, with a heartfelt gesture, presents Ballard with a sleek new surfboard, only to have her politely but firmly decline the gift. Meanwhile, Zamira finds herself at home, shouldering the responsibility of caring for her ailing father alongside her mother, all while keeping her return to active duty a closely guarded secret from her family.
Elsewhere, Ted's security company scores a new client, marking a step forward in his professional endeavors. Colleen, meanwhile, finds solace in the serene ambiance of the church, while Martina immerses herself in studies. Laffont, on the other hand, enjoys a leisurely morning with his husband and loyal dog, savoring the simple joys of life.
As Ballard heads to work, she dials Laffont, who shares a critical update: he's tracked down one of the witnesses mentioned by Bosch. Tragically, one is deceased, but there's hope in speaking with the surviving individual. Their conversation is interrupted by a call from the captain, who tasks Ballard with delving into a viral cold case. The victim's sister's persistent protests have garnered widespread attention, fueling suspicions that the university covered up a murder. The case revolves around a young fraternity member whose suspicious death at the fraternity house was initially ruled accidental. Yet, upon closer inspection, Ballard uncovers inconsistencies in the autopsy report, hinting that Nick may have been struck before his fatal fall.
In the office, Colleen's discovery of a mouse is seen as an auspicious omen, as she diligently searches for Yulia's family in Ukraine to break heart-wrenching news. Meanwhile, Zamira encounters a hurdle in her investigation into the John Doe bullet. She reaches out to Ballard for guidance, who urges her to focus on regaining her badge by passing her firearm qualifications. Alarmingly, they learn that someone within the LAPD has disposed of the bullet, fueling Zamira's suspicions of corruption. Ballard cautions her to keep her theories hush-hush and concentrate on her reinstatement.
Switching gears to Nick's case, Ballard and Laffont attend the fraternity's reunion, during which Laffont notices Ballard ignoring calls from her former partner, Chastain. Their interactions with the fraternity brothers leave them convinced that they're withholding information. After a thorough debrief, they strategize to target the group's weakest link, hoping to elicit a confession. Their plan bears fruit, as the individual reveals the existence of a book hidden by the fraternity boys before police介入. Ballard's team swiftly raids the fraternity house and secures the incriminating materials, setting the stage for further revelations in this gripping narrative.
It transpires that the fraternity members maintained a meticulously detailed ledger, chronicling their sexual escapades with various girls and assigning grades to each encounter. The pages are replete with photographs of these girls, accompanied by vivid descriptions that leave little to the imagination.
In her personal life, Ballard concludes her mandatory therapy sessions. Her therapist urges her to confront her trauma head-on, yet Ballard remains steadfast in her reluctance to unveil her innermost wounds. She also shuns the surfing board bestowed upon her by Tuti, as it serves as a poignant reminder of her late father. Meanwhile, Martina grapples with the delicate balance between her academic commitments and her internship duties with the team.
The subsequent day, Ballard obtains a copy of the disposition order and discovers it bears the signature of a retired policeman named Charlie Grant, who had no involvement in the John Doe case. Ballard insists to Zamira that they must apprise Laffont of their suspicions. Although Zamira hesitates, Ballard stands firm in her conviction that they can place their trust in him. Together, Ballard and Laffont pay Charlie a visit, only to be accused of deceit by him. He categorically denies signing the disposition order and produces his authentic signature for their inspection.
As their meeting draws to a close, Charlie issues a stern warning to Laffont, cautioning him to tread carefully around Ballard. During their journey back, Laffont reassures Ballard of his unwavering support. He cautions her to exercise prudence, emphasizing that corrupt policemen pose a formidable threat.
Elsewhere, Zamira unburdens herself to her grandfather about her internal turmoil. As a former policeman himself, her grandfather possesses a keen understanding of her plight. He imparts his wisdom, urging her to return and keep a vigilant eye on the proceedings.
Meanwhile, an inebriated Chastain corners Ballard, seeking forgiveness with a heart heavy with guilt. He berates himself for doubting her and failing to stand by her side. Despite his heartfelt apologies, Ballard turns a deaf ear, heading straight home to confide in Tutu. Tutu, with wisdom gleaned from experience, urges her to dismantle her emotional barriers.
At the office, Ted embarks on a mission to forge stronger bonds with his team, putting in extra effort to connect. Ballard, recognizing her own harshness, extends an apology to Zamira. The scrapbook, a treasure trove of solid leads, reopens the case and directs their focus towards the women Nick had intimate relationships with. In the previous probe, these women were overlooked due to the police's unawareness of the book's existence.
Ballard notices a page is conspicuously absent from the scrapbook. Fortunately, one of Nick's romantic partners provides a crucial lead regarding the missing page. This vital clue leads them to apprehend Nick's killer – Meredith, one of his former lovers. Hurt by his scurrilous writings about her, she lashed out in a fit of rage, pushing an intoxicated Nick off the balcony. As for the remaining entries, the team forwards the scrapbook to the sexual assault unit for further investigation.
After a heart-to-heart with her father, Zamira resolves to fight for her reinstatement. Ballard, undergoing a change of heart, resumes work on the surfing board project with renewed enthusiasm. The episode concludes on an intriguing note, with Manny, the obsessive cop, deliberately introducing himself to Martina during a restaurant encounter, setting the stage for future developments.
