In the second episode of "Dark Winds," the narrative weaves seamlessly between the present day and a pivotal moment three years prior to a fateful robbery. Guy extends an invitation to Lester, urging him to share a night's rest at the Native American Church, where we are introduced to Dillon Charley, a close associate of Guy's, who cautions him against working at the drill site that very day. The oil drilling operation in question belongs to Drumco Oil, a company with a significant presence in the region.
As Leaphorn departs from the site, having just delivered a lunchbox adorned with the initials "JJ," a breathtaking explosion rips through the landscape, marking the beginning of a shift in power as BJ Vines, another mining giant, steps in to take over. The flashback momentarily halts at this dramatic juncture.
Switching back to the present, Leaphorn collects a contaminated water sample from the Father's residence, which was once occupied by Hosteen. He then orchestrates the release of a man named Raymond from incarceration. Leaphorn and Chee proceed to Margaret, who has finally agreed to provide a statement. In a heartfelt moment, Chee vows to visit the Growing Thunders' home, despite Manuelita's reluctance based on her belief in encountering a malevolent spirit there.
Leaphorn encounters Father Benjamin at the establishment and inquires about his whereabouts on a recent day. The Father responds that he attended the funeral of Jack Wilson, a figure whose significance remains shrouded in mystery but hints at future relevance. Margaret struggles to articulate much to Leaphorn, except for the crucial fact that Anna was without her medicine pouch—a possession Margaret possessed and which she believes saved her life while condemning Anna's.
After a poignant pause, Margaret utters words of profound importance: "There are some men amongst us who are not what they seem to be," a statement that subtly casts suspicion on Chee. In a vivid flashback, Lester unfolds to Leaphorn the details of Charley's haunting "vision." Confronted by this revelation, Leaphorn confronts Guy about his role in the explosion. However, the confrontation quickly escalates into a physical altercation, culminating in a dramatic twist as Leaphorn shoots Guy in the leg as he advances with an axe, the tension palpable and the scene vividly etched in the viewer's mind.
Thus, the rationale behind his aversion and subsequent departure from the community becomes evident. Leaphorn, who initially seemed poised to conceal the jacket, ultimately decides against it. He subtly hints to Chee that he is aware of his FBI affiliation, employing this knowledge as a bargaining chip. As a wily veteran, Leaphorn proposes a deal: in exchange for Chee procuring the autopsy reports and water analysis, he will keep the secret under wraps.
At Lester's establishment, a mustachioed individual, a remnant from the heist in the premiere episode, enters and inquires about the cactus painting. Lester informs him that it has already been sold. Disheartened, the man exits and uses his radio to inform "Sierra Bravo" of the painting's disappearance. On the other end lies the bandana-clad figure who once pointed a gun at Chee in the Thunder house.
A charming Mormon family finds themselves in possession of the painting, but their joy is short-lived as the bandana man relentlessly pursues them, eventually reclaiming his prize. Meanwhile, Leaphorn ventures to the Thunder house, the door ajar, inviting him in.
As he explores the premises, he discovers a jar containing strands of hair, precisely as Manuelita had foretold at the station. Sally, encountering him, unravels her tale. She reveals that her mother, in a bid to shield her from harm, concealed her existence from the world, which explains Leaphorn's futile search for her records.
True to his word, Chee arranges for the water to be examined. Meanwhile, Manuelito's patrol stumbles upon the abandoned car of the Mormons. She promptly requests reinforcement. Chee subtly nudges Whitover, hinting at a breakthrough but insisting on the autopsy reports in return. Whitover concurs and teases Chee with the prospect of a vacant position at the DC Field Office should he successfully complete his mission.
Chee arrives at the coroner's office in search of answers, only to receive a report that leaves him puzzled. The coroner informs him that Anna succumbed to a cardiac arrest, her head adorned with an inexplicable streak of white hair. The coroner speculates, stunningly, that Anna might have been terrified to her very core. Meanwhile, Leaphorn and Manuelita inspect the car, only to discover it has vanished without a trace. Leaphorn also examines the tire marks left by the bandana man's truck, seeking clues.
Sally seeks refuge in the home of Emma and Leaphorn, where she learns about their tragic past. They once had a son, Joe, whose fate remains unresolved—whether he perished or fled remains a mystery. Sally listens intently as Emma recounts how a clinic doctor forcibly performed surgery on her to prevent another pregnancy.
A haunting flashback unfolds, revealing Joe in his jacket, a symbol deeply etched in Leaphorn's heart. The jacket holds immense significance because Joe was Anna's beloved, and he went missing while working at the drill site. Now, the reason behind Leaphorn's emotional attachment to the jacket becomes clear.
Chee conveys the coroner's report to Leaphorn, noting that the water samples yielded no conclusive particles. However, in a stroke of genius inspired by Leaphorn's own intellect, Chee deduces that the helicopter must be submerged in the lake. The presence of hydraulic particles in the water samples confirms his suspicion.
The narrative takes another sudden turn as we witness the bandana man holding a painting, with the stolen money cleverly concealed behind it. Father Benjamin stands beside him, whispering about adhering to "the plan," adding yet another layer of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.
