Episode 2 of *The Lowdown* kicks off with Lee racing towards a gas station, desperate to scrub away the grime and compose himself before his scheduled meeting with Francis and his ex-wife. Still reeling from the shocking events of the previous episode, where the skinheads met their gruesome end, Lee arrives punctually and hands over a hefty cash sum to his ex-wife. However, his world is turned upside down when he realizes he's expected to take custody of Francis for the weekend. With a nosebleed staining his shirt and his demeanor erratic, it's clear this weekend isn't going to be smooth sailing.
On the drive back to the store with Francis in tow, Lee makes a call to Akron HQ, only to discover that Allen isn't actually an employee but an independent contractor. Speaking of independents, Lee berates Waylon for his shoddy security measures but gives him a chance to redeem himself. The car that was the scene of his abduction with the skinheads, Lee insists, must be destroyed. Waylon complies, torching the vehicle, but not before he and his buddy seize the opportunity to shoot a music video in the junkyard, turning the situation into an impromptu photoshoot.
Meanwhile, the show confirms that Donald and Betty Jo are indeed sleeping together. Yet, after their intimate encounter, Donald finds himself weeping. Whether this is a sign of them finding comfort in each other's grief or if they've been carrying on a secret affair for ages remains ambiguous. However, the ambiguity is short-lived as Donald's wife barges into the house, her fury unleashed in a tirade of rage.
On another front, Lee is relentless in his pursuit of leads, zeroing in on Blackie's family, particularly his mother, Bonnie. He adopts the guise of Johnny, a freshly released jailbird, strategically flaunting his tattoos to sell the ruse. Through this charade, he unearths that Blackie had a history with Allen, having crossed paths in lockup. It seems Allen would occasionally hook them up with odd jobs involving cash, though much of it remained shrouded in secrecy and whispers.
Their latest assignment seems to center around Allen and some mishap they've caused in Skiatook. I can't help but wonder: how does the family factor into all this? While we're left to ponder this mystery, Dale's funeral proceeds, and Lee makes a dramatic, albeit tardy, entrance. Marty is also present, but unlike Lee, he's actually on the guest list. It turns out Marty is a private investigator, hired by none other than Donald Washberg. He's torn about the task of tailing Dale, especially since he's well-acquainted with the journalist. Ironically, he used to be an avid fan of Dale's writings—the operative word being "used," given the firsthand glimpse he's had of Marty's current state.
At the memorial's restroom, Lee corners Donald, accusing him of hiring Marty to tail him. This confrontation, unfortunately, spills over into the main gathering. Lee is ejected for causing a scene, hurling accusations of white supremacism at Donald in the process.
Marty voices his concerns over the escalating situation, warning Lee that he's courting danger if he persists down this path. Yet, Lee remains surprisingly composed. He believes the skinheads are somehow linked to Donald, pointing to the job unfolding in Skiatook—a job that could very well involve Dale Washberg, considering it's where the man resided.
Marty is skeptical, to say the least, and eventually walks away, shaking his head. Meanwhile, Allen makes an appearance at the bookstore, waiting for Lee. His arrival rattles our protagonist. Allen hands over his business card, directly challenging Lee and suggesting he should just approach him directly next time.
