As the second installment of "Black Snow: Jack of Clubs" unfolds, we are transported to Moorevale, Queensland, in the year 2003. The scene is set with Nadja Jacobs (played by Victoria Haralabidou) carrying a birthday cake for Zoe, amidst a gathering that watches vibrant fireworks illuminate the night sky above. Detective James Cormack (portrayed by Travis Fimmel) meanders through the streets, a hint of intoxication lingering in his steps.
Upon his return, James discovers Tommy Doyle (Nicholas Hope) sitting comfortably within his abode. Tommy addresses him as his son and gently chastises him for neglecting to secure his door. He reveals his presence is tied to James' estranged brother, Richie, whom James sternly reminds is deceased. Tommy persists, suggesting that James might have uncovered his whereabouts by scrutinizing security footage. Tommy unravels a tale of Richie owing debts to dangerous individuals and how a job arranged with a cellmate turned disastrous, culminating in Richie's mysterious disappearance. James, skeptical, urges his father to depart.
Tommy protests, insisting he has changed and believes James harbors concern for Richie. He drops a bombshell, disclosing that Richie now goes by the name Richard Vogel. Elsewhere, two policemen comb through an abandoned structure. Constable Matt Thorpe (Toby Carey) brandishes his baton upon encountering a girl wielding a metal pipe. Samara Kahlil (Megan Smart) attempts to engage with the pregnant Daisy (Lilliana Bowrey), who reveals she is seven months along. As Samara perceives an ominous presence, she and Matt embark on a quest to uncover its source, leading to a false alarm sparked by a pair of abandoned boots.
When Samara discovers incriminating evidence, she directs Thorpe to secure the premises. Meanwhile, James' supervisor phones to inquire about the productivity of his suspension. He informs James that he is reinstated but with a stipulation: mandatory counseling sessions with Dr. Nina Hirsh (Ella Scott Lynch). During their conversation, Nina delves into the accusation of excessive force, prompting James to recount his pursuit of a suspect who fled, only to find a nine-year-old victim with her throat slit in a bathtub adjacent to a man nonchalantly enjoying ice cream. James bares his soul to Nina, who notes his excessive violence, questioning if his father's release has stirred emotions within him. James confesses his father's guilt in his mother's murder, acknowledging it would be unusual if he weren't bitter. Nina emphasizes the importance of James maintaining control over his weapon. James insists he has had no contact with his father since his release.
Eventually, James arrives at the precinct, informing Angie Zhang (Renee Lim) of his return to active duty. Angie reminds him of the counseling sessions' importance and presents him with Zoe Jacobs' (Jana McKinnon) case file, a young woman who vanished in Moorvale on the eve of her 21st birthday in 2003. As James steps into the office, he awakens Samara, who has nodded off in her patrol car. They venture inside, where Samara unveils a bag bearing Zoe's name, symbolizing the enigmatic night she disappeared with it.The building has stood abandoned since 2004, when asbestos was discovered lurking in its roof, casting a shadow over its future. James vows to reopen the investigation if he can definitively link a mysterious bag to Zoe. Flashing back to 2003, Zoe engages in lively conversation with Samara (Alana Mansour), proudly displaying her newly acquired tattoo. Cody Neilson (Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke) soon joins their circle, prompting Zoe to gently urge him to freshen up, unwilling to share studio hours with someone whose scent left much to be desired.
Left alone outdoors, Zoe is startled by a strange banging noise and later discovers a rose perched on her car's dashboard, an unexpected and intriguing gesture. She confides in Joseph Rua (Vinnie Bennett) about this peculiar find, only to be hastily summoned inside by Samara, who conveys Cody's impatience. Zoe proceeds to co-host a radio show with Cody, where he casually mentions receiving an email from Zoe's biggest fan, deepblue32@yahoo.com, amidst their outdated use of cassettes. Zoe becomes visibly upset and asks Cody to desist from reading aloud the fan's missive.
After wrapping up the show, private conversations brew: Samara and Cody whisper about finding a new abode, with Cody vowing not to abandon his mother and sisters to the care of Brad. Zoe, upon re-entering the house, is tasked by Nadja to complete cupcakes for her father, while Nadja switches off a TV report on the turmoil in Baghdad. Leo Jacobs (Dan Spielman) strides in, inquiring about the previous night's show, and promptly blames Will Jacobs (Josh McConville) for any shortcomings, despite Nadja's reassurances. After Leo's departure, Nadja seeks Zoe's help with cleaning, but Zoe yearns for rest, hinting at her imminent departure once she secures the inheritance left by her grandfather. Nadja gently suggests that moving out might催促 her growth.
Zoe finds solace in a jog and subsequent swim, only to be interrupted by Joseph's scolding and invitation to visit Melody's place, complete with an enticing record collection, during her absence. Switching to the present, James engages Samara in a poignant conversation about Zoe's fateful party. Samara, weary of the relentless search, speculates that Zoe might have taken her inheritance, leaving behind a farewell note, with evidence of her phone activity in Brisbane a week later. James remains unconvinced of a clean break, noting the forensic team's conclusion at the radio station—no signs of foul play, yet hair samples and fingerprints were recovered from Zoe's backpack and contents. Notably, $25,000 was missing, though not from the backpack, as Samara speculates Zoe took what she needed to start anew.
The discussion pivots around Zoe's voluntary departure versus foul play, with James extending an invitation to Samara to join him in his inquiries, which she politely declines. James then visits the residence of Leo and Nadja Jacobs, only to find Leo now married to Gita (Amali Golden). Gita reveals their divorce years past. James steps inside, sharing his concerns with both Leo and Gita. Leo doubts Zoe would abandon him, but James produces a letter hinting otherwise. Leo, in turn, accuses Zoe's radio station colleague of her demise, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.
Upon her arrival, Nadja confronts James, demanding to know why he would venture there first when it is she who has relentlessly searched for Zoe over the years. She insists that Leo wishes to erase Zoe's very existence from his memory. Leo retorts that he was preoccupied with raising their still-living son. Unwilling to concede that Zoe is gone, Nadja accuses Leo of harboring guilt, claiming he drove Zoe out of their home.
A flashback unfolds, revealing Zoe returning to a house filled with an argument between Nadja and Leo. Taking charge, Zoe cares for her younger brother amidst the turmoil. Later, she engages in conversation with Cody, who leads her to the back where he reveals he sleeps on Tuesdays following his solo performances. Cody expresses gratitude for Zoe's watch over his belongings and confesses they've been evicted. Upon their return, they encounter Brad (Radek Jonak) drinking outside. Cody suggests they spend the evening together, but Zoe declines, citing her studies. Cody dismissively remarks that university is unnecessary when one can easily secure a job through connections, implying Zoe will ultimately succumb to materialism like everyone else. He taunts, "You can't fight the system when you are the system." Hurt and angered, Zoe curses at him and storms off.
Later that evening, Zoe finds solace with Joseph, who urges her to promise not to leave just yet. Zoe eventually rejoins Will outside, their parents' fight serving as a backdrop. Will admits that living with his brother is challenging, while Zoe declares she's had enough and mentions her inheritance is forthcoming in a week—perhaps enough to finance her escape and explore the world. Reflecting on her altercation with Cody, Zoe acknowledges its foolishness. When she discovers Will possesses drugs, he pleads for her silence and Zoe begs him to procure some for her upcoming 21st birthday. Seeking Cody out, Zoe learns he's not home, prompting Brad to invite her in for a drink. Mandy Neilson (Alice Ansara) strikes up a conversation with Zoe, mentioning Cody had to retrieve some items from their old place and assuring Zoe she's alright. Distressed, Zoe departs in search of Cody, only to discover his tragic end.
In the present, Nadja grills James about the evidence prompting the reopening of Zoe's case. They venture to an encampment where Nadja has resided for nearly a year, encountering Val (Paula Nazarski). James briefly steps away but returns to scrutinize the evidence. Among the items, he finds a pamphlet for Mont Vista Estates, drugs, and a receipt from Al's Convenience Store. Samara informs him the store is located in the same strip as the radio station, noting the timeline's oddity. James finds it curious how Zoe's phone left her house and ended up at a service station, pondering if it was just the phone that traveled that path.
As James listens to a radio show and trails his father, he witnesses his dad bestowing money to a homeless man before continuing on his way. Samara receives a call from an unknown number, hearing only labored breathing on the other end. Calling out Zoe's name, she asserts she knows it's her and inquiries about her whereabouts, but the call abruptly terminates, leaving the mystery unresolved.
