Episode 2 of Season 3 of "Dark Winds" kicks off with two men, a white man brandishing a revolver and his companion Budge, riding towards a dig site in tandem. The white man boasts to Budge about acquiring the revolver from an unnamed individual, his ego inflating with pride. As they approach the precipice of a ravine, Budge reaches for a sack, silently overpowering his boastful compatriot with a chokehold. With his victim rendered unconscious, Budge mercilessly pushes a truck over the edge, watching it plummet before covering the fallen man with a mountainous pile of earth, condemning him to a grim fate beneath the soil. The faint honking of car horns gradually succumbs to an eerie, oppressive silence.
Switching to the present, Joe, still shaken from his encounter with the deceased, makes his way to the police station. The coroner confirms the victim's identity as Cata, revealing a harrowing sight marred by signs of foul play – deep scratch marks adorning the deceased's cheek. The coroner speculates that the murder weapon might resemble a small claw hammer, emphasizing the personal nature of the brutal assault. Joe is deeply troubled by the discovery of an arrowhead pulled from the victim's mouth, perceiving it as a desecration that could signify a vendetta against both him and George. Realizing the urgency, Joe resolves to locate George before it's too late.
Joe's first stop is the dig site, where he encounters Dr. Reynolds and Teddi. He breaks the tragic news about Cata and presents the arrowhead as evidence. The mood darkens as Reynolds and Teddi absorb the grim revelation, with Teddi particularly distressed, eventually exiting the scene in tears. Reynolds, however, assists Joe by inspecting the arrowhead, revealing it to be a meticulously crafted fake, machine-made and largely devoid of value. Nonetheless, it remains crucial evidence. As Joe departs with the artifact, Reynolds promises to bring George to him should he appear. Meanwhile, Teddi drives away, her heart-wrenching sobs barely contained, hinting at a deeper, untold story.
Back at the station, Sylvia persists as a persistent thorn in Joe's side, her presence akin to an ever-sharp arrowhead. (My apologies for the metaphorical detour; I'll discreetly retreat.) She interrogates Emma, who finds herself utterly captivated and admiration-struck by a woman who has managed to secure a place within the esteemed ranks of the FBI. So taken is Emma by Sylvia's achievement that she has extended an invitation to her for dinner. Joe harbors doubts about this arrangement, but Emma brushes them aside, attributing it simply to "being kind."
Meanwhile, Jim Chee delves deeper into his investigation by quizzing members of the Bowleg family for insights on Shorty. Eventually, Shorty is apprehended on suspicion of involvement in the case, his alibi falling apart and his lengthy criminal record coming to light. The pivotal piece of evidence, however, surfaces in the form of a bloody hoof knife discovered in his barn, its location revealed by a trail of ants that led officers straight to it. But upon examination, it transpires that the blood, initially presumed to be human, actually belongs to a horse. Without Shorty's confession or a murder weapon, authorities find themselves without sufficient grounds to keep him detained and are forced to release him.
Concurrently, Bernadette continues her own investigation, snapping photographs atop the hillocks overlooking the Spenser oil rigs. Tom Spenser arrives to greet her, curiosity piqued by her scrutiny of the "vehicle of interest." He even offers to escort her down for a closer inspection. Tom's prowess with a firearm is undeniable, and his deeper involvement in this saga becomes increasingly apparent. He reminisces about his family's storied history in the oil business, dating back to 1850 when they first began "pounding the sand" for black gold. He further reveals his extensive ties to local politicians, though Bernadette sees through his veneer of affability.
Bernadette scrutinizes the unfamiliar license plates on a pristine white van parked in the garage, her determination unyielding as she refuses to accept any negative responses. Despite her thorough examination revealing no immediate irregularities, she persists with the tenacity of a pitbull, clamping down on the investigation and refusing to relinquish her grip anytime soon.
Back at Border Control, Bernadette discovers that the Spensers are in fact responsible for a substantial portion—one third—of the intelligence they receive. Consequently, her colleagues are hesitant to disturb this volatile nest, fearing they might get stung in the process.
Determined to press on, Bernadette dials the Najao Police Department, intending to speak with Joe. Instead, she finds herself conversing with Jim Chee, though their interaction remains sparse. Bernadette politely notes that it's nice to hear his voice, but the conversation lacks substance.
Later, Bernadette inspects a Spenser oil tanker, where tensions run high between her and the drivers, particularly due to their New Mexico licenses. However, her meticulous inspection fails to uncover any suspicious cargo.
Meanwhile, Jim Chee ventures back to Shorty's ranch, where he finds the man whistling serenely in his barn. Jim Chee remains unconvinced of Shorty's innocence, but despite their strained relationship, he learns that George is at Shorty's cabin.
Enlisting Joe's help, Jim Chee, along with Shorty, heads over to the cabin. The horses outside are visibly agitated, sensing something amiss. Joe eventually enters the cabin to investigate, and chaos erupts. Shorty lies wounded on the ground, a gunshot rings out, and Joe cowers in the corner, terrified after witnessing some sort of monster charging at him. George is nowhere to be found, and Joe, shaken to his core, whispers that "it's real."
