The episode kicks off with a scene depicting a group of Spanish workers being collected for their day's labor. As the van nears capacity, a tardy worker arrives, pleading earnestly to be included. The benevolent boss accommodates him, subsequently instructing the workers to blindfold themselves during their journey to the worksite. Upon arrival, the late arriver is forced to kneel, his mouth agape atop a crowbar, as the boss delivers a brutal blow to the back of his head, dislodging nearly all his teeth—a stark reminder that the pickup time is strictly 5 o'clock.
In the station parking lot, Reina Vasquez (portrayed by Denise G. Sanchez) awaits the arrival of Maddie Bosch (Madison Lintz). Vasquez solemnly warns Maddie that the Albert Torres (Tommy Martinez) saga threatens to rip her family apart and laments her delay in reporting her suspicions. Maddie reassuringly stands by her side, only for Vasquez to promptly confide her dilemma to her superiors. They ponder whether Albert's mother, Mari Torres (Zilah Mendoza), could persuade him to surrender peacefully. Vasquez responds doubtfully, asserting Mari's unwavering loyalty to her son. One of Vasquez's superiors confidently proposes a plan to apprehend Albert the following day.
Meanwhile, Honey Chandler (Mimi Rogers) informs Diego Perra's (Esteban Carmona) lawyer about the unidentified DNA found on the bullets and extends a deal to Diego, contingent on his cooperation in revealing the true perpetrator. The attorney agrees to discuss the offer with his client.
Elsewhere, Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) discovers that the white substance beneath Juan Doe's fingernails is an algaecide, manufactured exclusively by United Chemical. In a subsequent conversation with Perry Lopez (Miles Gaston Villanueva), they uncover that there are two United Chemical plants on the West Coast: one in Modesto and another in Lancaster. They decide to investigate the Lancaster facility first thing in the morning.
Following her conversation with her superiors, Vasquez receives a call from Mari, who inquiries about their plans for their mother's birthday, adding a poignant layer to the already tense atmosphere.
Bosch engages in a conversation with a colleague regarding the Gallagher affair, pleading for assistance in tracking down William Jurgenson. The colleague, compassionate to Bosch's plight, readily concurs to lend a helping hand.
Meanwhile, Victoria 'Fortune' Hernandez, portrayed by Andrea Cortes, seeks refuge and guidance from her parents amidst her tumultuous situation. Simultaneously, a vehicle laden with contraband is being unloaded by a group of Spanish men. During this operation, the ringleader receives a电话, filled with anxiety from an unseen caller concerning the Perra incident. The caller’s worry is palpable; they fear the case’s fingers may eventually point towards them, but the boss remains nonchalant.
Albert, too, finds himself entangled in an unexpected turn of events when he receives a call from the authorities, asserting that a water pipe has burst in his grandfather’s quarters, necessitating his immediate assistance to relocate belongings. Though reluctant, Albert consents to the request. Vasquez, privy to Albert's involvement, notes with satisfaction that Albert has taken the bait.
Elsewhere, Maurice 'Mo' Bassi, played by Stephen A Chang, keeps a vigilant watch over the Lancaster Hotel, while Bosch and Perry converse with the Lancaster Sheriff. The sheriff, acknowledging his singular encounter with Jimmy Robertson (played by Paul Calderon), promptly arranges a tour of United Chemical upon inquiry.
Albert’s suspicions are aroused when he personally verifies with his grandfather that the call about the Coventry incident was a fabrication.
Bosch and Perry embark on a tour of the United Chemicals facility, only to emerge disappointed, having uncovered no incriminating evidence.
Elsewhere still, Perra confides in the District Attorney about the series of robberies targeting food trucks. He further reveals that, contrary to orders to hit the Las Palmas truck, he was actually instructed to withdraw from the location. The order, he claims, originated from a shadowy figure known as The Pope.
In a gripping scene, the Lancaster Sheriff is depicted engaging in a conversation with the boss, the setting being the very onset of the episode where Bosch and Perry embark on a tour of the facility. As their discussion draws to a close, the Sheriff subtly attaches a tracker to the boss's truck, a stealthy move that underscores the tension.
When the law enforcement officials come to the realization that Albert won't be making an appearance at the nursing home, they devise a plan to plant a tracker within the stolen merchandise. Vasquez steps in to execute this task but is startled to discover that the goods have vanished, replaced instead by a poignant family photograph. This image serves as a telltale sign that Victoria has beaten them to the chase, securing the merchandise first.
Promptly, the Lancaster Sheriff dials RHD Captain Rick Seals (James Read) and updates him on Bosch and Perry's deep dive into the Juan Doe case. Elsewhere, Nestor Gomez (Jesse Gallegos) and Albert find themselves in a hurried conversation with their fence, negotiating for more time to intercept the merchandise. It's during this tense exchange that they learn Victoria has already outmaneuvered them, scheduling a sale for the very next night.
In a separate development, Perra presents the District Attorney with a composite sketch of The Pope, adding another layer of intrigue to the investigation. Meanwhile, Bosch and Perry attempt to glean information from the clerk at the Lancaster Hotel, but their efforts are met with stonewalling and uncooperativeness.
Following this unsuccessful endeavor, Perry is summoned back to Seals' office, while Bosch instructs Mo to proceed to United Chemical and keep a vigilant watch on all comings and goings. In parallel, Vazquez and Maddie make the decision to seek answers from Victoria's parents. The parents, cooperative yet cautious, hand them a burner phone, revealing that Victoria's prepaid number is stored within.
This refined narrative not only preserves the original meaning but also amplifies the dramatic elements, painting a vivid picture of the unfolding events.
Detective Bosch's District Attorney (DA) confirms that The Pope, alias Humberto Zorrillo (Manuel Uriza), is indeed the man they seek. Bosch presents a photo of Juan Doe to the maid at the Lancaster Hotel. She verifies Doe's presence there but remains unaware of his identity. Intriguingly, she reveals that unknown individuals searched the room twice, leaving it in disarray, yet failed to uncover anything significant. When Bosch inquiries about a police report, the maid responds with a scornful laugh.
Upon inspecting Zorrillo's tattoos, Honey makes a startling realization – he could be the shooter who targeted Robertson. She promptly shares this breakthrough with Bosch, who concurs that Zorrillo is indeed the perpetrator.
Back at the precinct, Maddie and her team track Victoria's cellphone to La Zona Rosa. Meanwhile, Perry engages in a conversation with Chief Hughes (Sophina Brown) about his involvement in the Robertson case, disclosing his initial investigations that yielded no results. Hughes remains skeptical and quizzes him about his true motivations and activities alongside Bosch.
Mo presents Bosch with surveillance photos captured at United Chemical, from which Bosch identifies Zorrillo. He also informs Mo about the men who ransacked Juan Doe's hotel room, suspecting that they were after Black Ice.
The police surround Victoria's location, just as she and The Fence haggle over the price of the merchandise. Nestor and Albert arrive and, after purchasing the goods, The Fence exits, leaving Nestor, Albert, and Victoria to negotiate the payment. Victoria confronts Albert about his aunt being a policeman, sparking tension. Suddenly, the sound of a helicopter disrupts their conversation, prompting Nestor to draw a weapon on Albert. Seizing the money, Nestor attempts to escape but is intercepted by the police. Rather than surrendering his weapon, he turns it towards the officers and is subsequently shot. Meanwhile, Victoria and Albert flee, pursued by Maddie and Vasquez. Maddie tackles Victoria, while Vasquez gives chase to Albert and successfully apprehends him.
Bosch and Mo search Juan Doe's hotel room and discover a bag of Black Ice concealed in the mattress. They contact Sheriff Deputy Jack Garrity (Chris Bauer), but unexpectedly, Zorrillo arrives instead of Garrity. Bosch lays in wait within the hotel room, yet Zorrillo chooses not to enter.
The episode concludes with Zorrillo's departure from the hotel room, leaving the tension and mystery unresolved.
