Episode 3 of Season 3 of "Reacher" kicks off with Reacher and Duke making their way back to Beck's residence side by side. Duke casually inquiries about Angel, but doesn't delve too deeply, well aware of the weasel's tendency to skip over the chain of command.
Once inside, Reacher engages in conversation with Annette, the cleaner who had been snooping around in his room in the previous episode. Through their dialogue, Reacher discovers that there's a mechanic permanently on their staff, while Annette works there merely to finance her tuition. She also mentions an upcoming 50th birthday bash for a wealthy individual, which could potentially play a significant role later.
Currently, Reacher's priority is to meet with Beck, who has a few questions for him. His description of the kidnapper doesn't align with their investigation's findings, so he ad-libs, weaving a tale as he speaks, suggesting that the gang is lying low before their next move. This strategy seemingly works, and Reacher is free to go.
Upstairs, we uncover more about Beck's associates. Paulie was booted out of the military for punching his captain's eye out and tearing off a commander's finger. As for Angel, he served eight years in the brig, sharing a cell with Paulie after sexually assaulting a female lieutenant.
Now, let's delve into Chapman Duke. Once a cop, he's now evidently turned into a criminal accomplice with a lengthy rap sheet. The individuals here are nothing short of vile, and of course, Quinn tops the list of nastiness. When Neagley learns about the formidable opponents Reacher is facing, she realizes he needs backup.
Meanwhile, Reacher sneaks out under the cover of night after catching some shut-eye, intending to tidy up the mess he made at the warehouse. Duffy joins him on his mission. They sift through numerous crates in search of Teresa, but she's nowhere to be found. Instead, they stuff Angel inside one of the shipping containers outside.Regrettably, two henchmen arrive fully prepared to confront Angel, only to find themselves confronted by Reacher and Duffy instead. The duo efficiently overpowers the thugs, cramming them into yet another container, making one wonder if Reacher intends to fill every container with Beck's minions. Nevertheless, upon learning that Teresa is not present, Reacher heads back to the mansion.
The following morning, the mansion buzzes with activity as a significant operation looms on the horizon. Predictably, the drivers fail to show up for their shifts, prompting Reacher to volunteer his assistance. Ironically, he finds himself on a shopping errand with Richie.
While wandering around, Richie reveals that Paulie's presence is solely due to Julius McCabe, none other than Beck's enigmatic boss who orchestrates the entire operation from behind the scenes. Seeking a promotion, Reacher devises a plan to become Beck's right-hand man, a scheme that necessitates eliminating Duke. Together with Duffy, Reacher crafts an intricate plot, involving a tip-off to Beck about a local gang hiding in an isolated, deserted house. Angel's email is used to convey this information, ensuring its authenticity.
After setting this trap, Reacher swiftly dispatches a couple of aggressive bullies who have a vendetta against Richie, as Beck's operations have ruined their families' livelihoods. Following this altercation, Richie confides in Reacher, expressing his aspirations to leave and never return.
Understanding the intricacies of leaving one's past behind, Reacher promises to help Richie realize his dreams—provided he spills the beans about Beck's operations and the true nature of their happenings. This strategy proves effective, loosening Richie's lips. He explains that Julius McCabe is the mastermind, with Beck serving as his underling. Paulie is not here to protect Richie but rather to provide Julius with an easy access point to Richie should his father step out of line.
McCabe was initially the mastermind behind Richie's kidnapping, with Paulie playing a particularly violent role—beating Richie severely and leaving him confined in the trunk of a car for days. All of these actions were carried out under McCabe's explicit orders.
Initially, Beck's operation was tightly run and completely legal. He expertly navigated customs loopholes, bribing officials to reduce charges or to turn a blind eye. However, McCabe caught wind of this lucrative venture and made a play for control, kidnapping Richard and coercing Zachary into cooperation.
Meanwhile, Duffy had discovered intelligence about an incoming shipment through his earlier infiltration of Angel's emails. Duffy and Villy hurried to the dock to stake out McCabe's operation. Paulie was overseeing everything, and surprisingly, Quinn also showed up, but under the alias of Julius McCabe.
Elsewhere, Cooper made his bid for freedom, duping Eliot, the inexperienced officer assigned to watch him, into treating a self-inflicted wound.
After delivering Rich back home, Reacher set off again, this time to a house in Hartford. Before leaving, he grabbed a gun from the dock, which later turned out to belong to Angel. Instinct told Reacher he might need it soon.
Armed to the hilt, Reacher and Duke ventured into the woods, making their way to the isolated house. However, this was all a clever ploy to isolate Duke and eliminate him. Finding Duke uncooperative, Reacher took his life and staged the scene to resemble a shooting, eventually blowing the house to smithereens.
With the evidence obliterated in a colossal explosion, Reacher raced back to Beck and handed over Angel's gun. Given Beck's vast collection of firearms and intimate knowledge of weapons, he immediately recognized it and concluded that Angel had been double-crossing them all along. Reacher further elaborated, explaining how the truck drivers were also involved and accounting for their absence. This revelation worked wonders, earning Reacher a promotion to Beck's right-hand man.
