The narrative of Countdown unfolds in Episode 12 with Blythe taunting Mark for his apparent lack of ambition, branding him insecure. Blythe persists in his conviction that Mark possesses natural leadership qualities and urges him to contemplate ascending the corporate ladder.
Meanwhile, in Kern County, a dramatic turn of events occurs when Hope Miller, Governor Shelby's PR secretary, meets an untimely demise at a gas station. Shepherd and Bell are engrossed in deciphering Todd's sources and motivations from his manifesto when an urgent call interrupts their analysis.
Blythe and Fitz pay a visit to Hope's PR firm, where they uncover that she was meticulously organizing a fundraiser attended by President Hanover and Governor Shelby. In Kern County, the gas station clerk, Troy, claims he remained in hiding for a harrowing 20 minutes until the police arrived, a statement contradicted by Officer Tooks, the first CHP officer on the scene, who insists it was merely 10 minutes. Bell delves into the CCTV footage, revealing that the actual response time was 16 minutes. Furthermore, after Hope is fatally shot, the killer is seen snatching something from her car.
The task force realizes with a chilling clarity that the perpetrator is none other than Todd, who meticulously planned the murder in advance. He was well-versed with the CCTV blind spots and had calculated the precise amount of time it would take for the police to arrive.
Blythe and Fitz confront Shelby with the urgency to cancel the fundraiser, citing the immense risk involved. However, Shelby refuses outright, highlighting that the President's endorsement at the event is a golden opportunity he cannot afford to miss. He issues a stark directive: Blythe must apprehend the killer before the fundraiser commences.
As Shepherd scours through the CCTV footage, Molly unexpectedly arrives, finally conceding that she is in desperate need of assistance. With a solemn promise to curb her partying ways, she earns a visibly relieved Shepherd's agreement to a cozy dinner at their place.
Meanwhile, the task force embarks on a meticulous comparison between the inventory and Hope's possessions, aiming to pinpoint the stolen items. Equipped with a satchel and perpetual access to Shelby's schedule across all her gadgets, Hope had it all. However, the CHP's failure to provide an inventory of her car's contents complicates matters further. Amidst this, Tooks privately requests Bell's presence at his residence that very night.
While anticipation builds, Mark confides in Blythe, acknowledging his tendency to overthink but asserting his ambitions nonetheless. Blythe kindly offers to lend a supportive word. Just then, Oliveras posits a compelling theory – Todd is either embedded within the force or has an informer on the inside. His intimate knowledge of police procedures and the strategic placement of clues suggest a calculated bait. Mark, growing anxious, attempts to contact Bell.
The scene shifts to a suspicious-looking Tooks, who ushers Bell into his home with a cryptic invitation. He insists on reviewing the CCTV footage, revealing a startling revelation: Todd was captured placing something inside the car. Tooks' private meeting request stems from his desire to avoid appearing ingratiating or risking public embarrassment if his theory proved flawed. Bell grasps his rationale and finds his theory plausible.
Mark endeavors to comfort Oliveras, acknowledging the merit in her spy theory and inviting her out for drinks, only to be politely declined, leaving him momentarily embarrassed. Shepherd, finally returning home, finds Molly awaiting him, and they decide to relive old memories by indulging in a night of punk rock tunes.
Elsewhere, Finau pays a visit to Big E, his trusted impound lot attendant. Together, they meticulously search Hope's car and discover a note hidden in the AC vent. Back at headquarters, Director Tostrud is incensed with Blythe for attempting to scrap the fundraiser, arguing that such an action would undermine their strength in protecting POTUS within his own borders. He warns Blythe of termination should he disclose unauthorized information regarding the current threat.
Turning to the note, it bears Todd's signature, with the verso revealing it was torn from a flyer. Utilizing their advanced systems, they swiftly reconstruct the flyer in its entirety. It advertises a concert at a dilapidated biker bar near Sugarload. Seizing this advantage, Blythe deduces that Todd underestimated their ability to trace the flyer, thereby underestimating them.
Oliveras, Mark, Bell, and Finau hustled their way to the concert with urgency. Mark and Finau slyly slipped inside, while Bell and Oliveras staged a dramatic scene, pretending to be the new meth dealers, causing quite a stir. To their astonishment, the bar owner, Mike, remained unperturbed. He disclosed that Todd had promised him a handsome reward for delivering an envelope to whichever undercover cop made an appearance. Oliveras suspected a trap and clung to her disguise with resolve.
Mark found it peculiar that there were no CCTVs monitoring the bar. His eyes suddenly caught sight of Todd snapping pictures of Bell and Oliveras. It dawned on him that Todd had deliberately lured them there. Mark and Finau promptly set off after him. In an eruption of gunfire and confusion, Todd managed to elude the pursuing officers.
With their cover blown wide open, Oliveras forcefully prodded Mike to hand over the envelope. Mark grasped that this entire farce had been orchestrated by Todd to identify the cops hot on his trail. The note contained a chilling message: "Only death can stop him."
