The fourth episode of Season 3 of "Dark Winds" kicks off with an intriguing scene: Halsey arrives at a gas station, where he promptly makes a phone call to AGS Industries, a move subtly hinting at his connection to Spenser, which becomes unequivocally clear in this episode. Halsey confirms that the operation has been wrapped up and all traces erased, but his brief moment of tranquility is shattered when the police arrive at the station almost instantly. On the lam once more, Halsey employs ingenious tactics to cover his tracks, torching the truck and swapping vehicles to evade capture.
Joe and his team soon arrive on the scene, confronted with the blackened skeletal remains of the truck. Joe, ever the detective, notices the tire tracks and collects some soil for forensic analysis. However, a bombshell revelation unfolds: the powder discovered at the farmstead turns out to be cocaine. It seems these farmers were cooking up quite a different kind of spice—an illegal one, at that. Adding another layer to the intrigue, AGS also owns an oil company named Spenser Oil, suggesting that all these pieces are intricately interwoven after all.
Bern's involvement at the farmstead remains shrouded in mystery. Chee pays her a visit, bringing her up to speed on the developments and alerting her to a potential threat lurking in the shadows. As Bern delves deeper into the case, a chilling realization dawns upon her: those tankers could very well be serving as conduits for smuggling drugs across the border. To maintain the façade of a legitimate oil business, not every tanker is likely loaded with contraband, and it appears Bern was simply unlucky on the day she inspected that particular tanker.
All the companies under AGS's wing reside within the nation's borders, with the solitary exception of Sol Del Oro Refinery, nestled in Juarez, merely a stone's throw across the border from Spenser Ranch. Should they manage to secure incriminating evidence, they could interlink all pieces of the puzzle seamlessly – yet, this all hinges on locating Halsey.
Joe takes Gordo aside and reluctantly conveys the news to him: Emma is privy to their dealings with Vines. He's hesitant to deceive his wife, yet fully aware of the potential repercussions if he doesn't.
It transpires that Suzanne, despite her near-fatal drug ordeal in the previous episode, has pulled through and is currently recovering in the hospital. Though visibly shaken, she lacks empathy regarding her rescue. Moreover, she confides in Joe about the harrowing vision she experienced under the drug's influence that fateful afternoon.
Shortly thereafter, Suzanne discloses the existence of a nearby motel, possibly serving as Halsey's hideout. Joe wastes no time in tracking him down and swiftly apprehends Halsey. However, amidst this turmoil, his relationship with Emma remains strained, with her refusing to communicate with him.
At the precinct, Joe grills Halsey alongside Gordo. It seems Halsey was dining at a truck stop diner along Route 571 that fateful night, with a waitress ready to vouch for his whereabouts. Joe catches Halsey off-guard by mentioning Tom Spenser, causing the man to visibly pale at the mention of his name, thereby furnishing the detectives with a valuable lead to pursue.
Realizing his predicament with no escape route, Halsey bargains for a pact, promising to unveil the truth in return for written immunity from the drug-related charges. He insists on a guarantee that will shield him from prosecution, after which he vows to recount tales about Spenser so incredible that Joe "would find them hard to credit." Nonetheless, Halsey steadfastly denies any involvement in the children's murders.
As Gordo drafts the agreement with the judge, Agent Washington confronts Joe in her office, acting as an interpreter for a shepherd who discovered Vines' body and stands as a crucial witness. This shepherd also witnessed a GMC truck halting near the crime scene, albeit he couldn't make out the license plate or the driver's appearance. Washington, meticulous in her preparations, has compiled a list of all GMCs registered in Arizona, intending to scrutinize each one meticulously. This meticulous search, however, risks drawing her closer to Joe, leaving him apprehensive. Gordo reassures him, reminding Joe of his alibi that he "wasn't there," urging him not to fret.
That evening, Washington cuts straight to the chase, questioning Joe's involvement in the case. She confronts him head-on and proposes driving to his place to verify his alibi with Emma. Given the strained relationship between them, this plan might not sit well. Joe remains silent, his silence speaking volumes. Does Washington trust him, or will this propel her to redouble her efforts to pin the murder on him?
Regardless, Joe confides in Emma at home, laying bare the entire saga. Overwhelmed by the guilt, she contemplates distancing herself from the ordeal. However, considering Joe's current alibi, extricating herself won't be straightforward. She may have to deceive Washington if pressed.
Joe returns to the station, where flickering lights have cast an unsettling ambiance throughout the day. A blown fuse forces him outside to replace it. The eerie whistling wind is abruptly interrupted by piercing screams from inside. Joe slips in a pool of blood as Halsey, clutching his throat, reaches out from behind bars. He succumbs to his wounds, expiring on the scene despite Joe's desperate attempts to save him. Drenched in blood, the lights flick back on, casting an even more grim illumination on the tragic tableau.
