The episode kicks off with Aunty Rosa (portrayed by Lisa Blackman), regaling the audience with an anecdote about a gentleman who woke her at the ungodly hour of 3 AM to profess his desire to wed her. James Cormack (Travis Fimmel), in a serious tone, fills Angela in on the case of two missing Vanuatu nationals, Kalip and Niman Iesul, whom he links to Ezekiel, the proprietor of the distinctive blue automobile. He reveals that Isabel Baker (Talijah Blackman-Corowa) had a personal connection with Ezekiel Iesul, prompting Angela to inquire about the nexus between the absconding cousins and Ezekiel. Cormack clarifies that the cousins were reported missing from Ashford prior to Isabel's untimely demise. Angela speculates that perhaps the cousins, being undocumented residents, might have vanished voluntarily. Cormack reassures her, emphasizing the concrete link between Niman, Kalip, and Ezekiel.
Turning to Joe (Jimi Bani), Cormack inquires if he recalls Ezekiel, who was employed there when Isabel met her fate. Joe vaguely acknowledges his memory of Ezekiel attending church occasionally. Cormack reminds Joe of his yearly Christmas card tradition to Ezekiel spanning two decades. Joe pleads with Cormack to let Ezekiel be, insisting he was a "man of good character." Cormack counters by mentioning Ezekiel's wife's claim that he had harmed someone in Ashford. Joe firmly asserts the confidentiality of their conversations. Hazel (Jammason Power) urges Joe to come clean about what he knows, but Joe stands firm in Ezekiel's defense, affirming his innocence.
Cormack then approaches Steve Walcott (Erik Thomson), querying whether it was common practice to employ illegal labor. Steve explains that the mill set up a camp specifically to attract workers from the surrounding area. Cleo Walcott (Brooke Satchwell) chimes in, informing Cormack that Billy Hopkins (Anthony J. Sharpe) transported these workers from the camp to the farms in a bus. Cormack mentions Billy and Tasha Hopkins (Kestie Morassi) as siblings, to which Cleo describes Billy as a man of criminal inclinations. Cormack reveals that a witness has stepped forward, claiming to have seen Isabel at 12:30 PM, not at the intersection as she had initially stated, but having a drink in a van at the park where they later had a dispute. Cleo recounts trying to cheer up Isabel, who had recently ended things with Anton. When Isabel expressed her reluctance to join the trip, Cleo compelled her to alight from the van at 11:30 AM, painting a vivid picture of their last encounter.Ezekiel recounts a confrontation with Steve that escalated into a physical altercation, drawing Billy into the fray who proceeded to administer a severe beating upon him. During this tumult, Ezekiel claims to have been accompanying Isabel when she passed away, prompting inquiries about the whereabouts of Niman and Kalip, to which he speculates they might have strayed off course.
Kalana seizes the opportunity presented by Anton Blanchi (portrayed by Alexander England) to train together, earning a cautious reminder from Victor Blanchi (played by Rob Carlton) to tread with prudence. Cormack interrogates Troy Turner (Kim Gyngell), seeking his recall of a 1994 missing persons report concerning two foreign workers. Turner responds negatively, but Officer Dale Quinn (Gulliver McGrath) chimes in with the revelation of Billy's address.
Addressing Billy, Cormack mentions Tasha's assertion of witnessing Isabel with an elderly man. Billy clarifies that she was presumably involved with Anton at that time. Cormack then delves into the operations of the camp under Steve, to which Billy attests Steve extorted rent from workers and labor from farmers. Cormack reveals the disappearance of Kalip and Niman, prompting Billy to disclose that Isabel and this man were on a quest to locate his missing cousins.
In a nostalgic flashback, Isabel and young Hector (played by Fraser Anderson) reminisce about their time capsule, with her presenting him a camcorder showcasing Ashford's top ten videos of 1994. After Hector's departure, Isabel looks up from her task to find Ezekiel at the doorway, contrite for his earlier outburst upon learning about the youth fleeing from a motorcycle-riding man. He posits that the fleeing boy might have been his cousin Kalip, missing alongside his other cousin Niman.
In Dalkeith, Hector and Isabel follow a trail of blood leading to a deceased animal inside a shed. Billy trains his gun on Hector until Isabel's appearance diffused the tense situation. She informs Billy of their search for Hector's missing cousins, last seen in the vicinity. Billy denies any knowledge of their whereabouts, adding another layer of mystery to the unfolding narrative. Joe and Glenda (Seini Willett) are in anticipation as Isabel finally steps through the door, her tardiness not going unnoticed. He reprimands her sharply for her delay, while she excused herself, claiming she was busy photographing fruit bats on Harper’s Road in Dalkeith.
Glenda chills the atmosphere by revealing that the very spot harbors unmarked graves of two domestic workers who succumbed to tuberculosis. Moments later, calamity struck in the form of a devastating fire that reduced the homestead to ashes. The property was later revived by a new owner post-war, only for them to end their life in sorrow by committing suicide. With a hushed tone, Glenda warns Isabel that Dalkeith is enshrouded in a curse, while Joe's voice rises in insistence, commanding her never to set foot there again.
Turner imparts to Cormack that Billy's alibi hinges on Steve. He reassures Cormack of Billy's honesty, prompting Cormack to inquire if Turner was aware of Steve's practice of billing farmers for labor supplied by foreign workers. Turner characterizes it as a "mutualistic arrangement," to which Cormack retorts, calling it nothing short of exploitation.
Billy confides in Tasha about a video footage capturing Isabel laying into Steve on the fateful night she perished. She urges him to let bygones be bygones, but he assures her that he will, once Steve settles his debts.
Angela updates Cormack on the unauthorized entry of Kalip and Namin into the country, occurring weeks prior to Isabel's tragic demise. Billy, in possession of Isabel's camcorder, uncovers a video where she accuses Steve of deceit regarding Kalip and Namin. After presenting the tape to Chloe, Billy suggests handing it over to Cormack. Chloe dismissively tells him to handle it as he sees fit, emphasizing that it's of no concern to her. He cautions that the video could tarnish the mill's reputation, to which she reassuringly responds that the mill will weather the storm once Steve is replaced by a new CEO. Billy accuses her of betraying her father, while she counters by accusing him of betraying Steve, threatening to have him arrested for trespassing should he dare return to the mill's land on Harper’s Road.
Chloe informs Steve about Billy's video. He vehemently denies any knowledge of what Isabel was ranting about. She inquiries about his whereabouts on the night of Isabel's demise, suggesting perhaps she should be asking him the same question. Meanwhile, Billy watches them from afar, his eyes filled with contemplation.Cormack receives an unexpected call from his father, incarcerated in Wacol Prison, conveying the hopeful news of his impending release and hinting at a revelation of utmost importance. Meanwhile, Hazel breaks the news to Cormack about a heated altercation between Ezekiel and Steve, revealing that Joe and Ezekiel were actually together at the church during the tragic night Isabel passed away. Cormack, taken aback, reminisces that Joe had earlier insisted he was at home that fateful evening, an alibi now silenced forever.
Elsewhere, Hector, portrayed by Lee Jones, has Billy cornered against a vehicle as Cormack approaches the tense scene. Cormack inquiries if this is merely a settlement of long-standing grievances. Hector counters by asking if Cormack has ever been on the receiving end of bullying. Alejandro, played by Oscar Leal, offers to escort Cormack back home. Hector confides in Alejandro, revealing he awoke to find himself drenched in blood and produces Isabel's jewelry, prompting Alejandro to suggest discarding it discreetly. However, Hector hesitates, acknowledging he cannot bring himself to do it.
A poignant flashback ensues, where a younger Tasha Hopkins, portrayed by Ava Carmont, earnestly entrusts Isabel with the care of Anton Blanchi, played by Josh Macqueen in his youth, emphasizing his delicate nature. Isabel, in turn, informs Tasha that rumors at the church accuse Billy of pilfering from the mill.
Returning to her abode, Isabel is startled to find Steve in the company of her parents. Steve breaks the delightful news that she has been selected for the prestigious Ashford Canegrowers Association Scholarship, adding a glimmer of hope amidst the swirling chaos.
Billy confronts Isabel, demanding an explanation about the secrets she unveiled to Chloe, mentioning how she typically operates solo under the cloak of night before bidding farewell. Meanwhile, Hazel's phone buzzes with a menacing message: "Speak the truth; I'm not playing around. I've had enough of covering for you. Your time is up."
Elsewhere, Anton presents Kalana with a necklace as a token of his affection for her graduation, sparking a conversation where she inquires if he still misses Isabel. With a simple goodnight, he takes his leave.
Billy storms into a restaurant to confront Steve, only to be escorted out by a stern lady. Before exiting, he warns Steve that he's privy to the secrets surrounding Isabel and the missing boys. Determined to seek justice, Billy heads to the police station to confront Cormack, only to be informed by Dale of Cormack's absence. Turner offers to facilitate a meeting, but Billy stubbornly declines.
Hazel seeks Cormack out, seeking answers about Ritchie's whereabouts. Cormack recounts a harrowing tale: Ritchie's father stumbled home inebriated and belligerent, sparking a violent altercation between father and son. When the fight spilled into the bedroom, Ritchie's father turned his wrath on his mother. In a desperate bid to escape the turmoil, Ritchie grabbed a knife from the closet and plunged it into his father before fleeing into the night. Cormack reveals he hasn't laid eyes on Ritchie since that fateful evening.
Elsewhere, Kalana and a companion add vibrant splashes of paint to a statue, capturing their artistic defiance in a selfie. Cormack hands Hazel a faded photograph of a youthful Hector and Isabel, their faces beaming beside an old camera. He discloses that the camera now rests in Billy's possession, just as Dale interrupts with news of an accident, heightening the tension in the room.
