The opening of Episode 5 of The Night Agent Season 1 plunges us into a nostalgic flashback, four years ago, when Arrington triumphantly graduated from the Secret Service Academy. Ben, her supervisor, stood before the crowd to deliver a rousing speech. To Arrington's surprise, her mother was also in attendance, despite her disapproval of her daughter's chosen path. Yet, her mother's eyes sparkled with pride and unwavering belief in her child, offering silent support.
Years later, Arrington finds herself caring for Maddie, a girl burdened by her father's exploitation as a political prop. Maddie's frustration is palpable, yet she confides in Arrington that, paradoxically, there are fleeting moments when she enjoys the lies. When her father parades her in front of the media and voters, she feels a fleeting sense of being treated with more care. Arrington attempts to comfort her, offering a sympathetic ear.
As they engage in their heart-to-heart, Arrington receives a urgent message. An FBI agent, Peter, requests a meeting. He approaches her with a grave expression, asking to speak privately. Together, they embark on a walk, where Peter delves into the details of the Metro bombing. Arrington remains steadfast, refusing to answer his inquiries, adhering to the stringent protocols of her agency. Peter reveals that he is working under Farr's directive on a sensitive case, speculating that Maddie might be in imminent danger. Arrington insists on obtaining clearance first, promising to cooperate fully once the necessary permissions are granted.
Rose and Peter make their way to the university library, while Arrington hastily calls Ben. He instructs her to maintain a strict line, stating that she was not with Maddie on that fateful day, and to reveal nothing further. Ben promptly confronts Farr, voicing his concern over Peter's recent activities. Farr assures him that she is unaware of the specifics and that they must wait for Peter's report. Ben expresses his discomfort with Farr's clandestine investigations, but Farr dismisses his concerns, urging him to trust in her discretion. After a stern warning to proceed with caution, Ben departs, leaving Farr to ponder the situation, her attempts to reach Peter fruitless.
At the serene confines of the library, Peter and Rose delved into the enigmatic Metro bombing. Rose proposed delving into Hawkins' computer for clues, but Peter shook his head, convinced that a different approach would yield better results. He suggested they speak with Hawkins' widow instead. Rose hesitated, but ultimately decided to stay behind and delve into the mysterious ring worn by the perpetrator.
Peter, despite his reluctance to part, conceded to her plan. He entrusted her with his new burner phone and requested regular updates. Just before he departed, his phone rang, revealing Arrington on the line. She assured him that Maddie was not implicated in the affair. Peter's mention of the cafe momentarily perplexed Arrington, but she remained steadfast in her denial.
Peter strode resolutely to Hawkins' abode, where he engaged in a heartfelt conversation with the widow. Touched by Peter's sincerity, she revealed that Hawkins had been close to the Campbells and had been investigating the Metro bombing as well as the Campbells' fate. She disclosed that on the fateful day, Hawkins had intended to meet with the CEO of Turner Lake Industries, a prominent government contractor. She had kept this information to herself, hoping to safeguard her husband's reputation.
Returning to the hallowed halls of the White House, Ben convened a crucial meeting with Farr, the President, and the Vice President. As he recounted Peter's visit to Maddie's school, the Vice President's brows furrowed in confusion, demanding clarification. His dissatisfaction was palpable as he learned that Farr had no fresh insights and Peter had yet to communicate. However, Farr staunchly defended Peter's loyalty, assuring them that there were no underlying issues.
The President then demanded to know the status of the Campbells' case, and Farr revealed that Peter and Rose were diligently working on it. Immediately, the President issued a stern command, instructing Farr to retrieve Peter and Rose and ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, in the serene library, Rose stumbled upon a significant discovery: the ring's connection to a disgraced Crown Prince of Yugoslavia. Shockingly, the Crown Prince had also been reported missing, and the prime suspect in his disappearance bore a striking resemblance to Dale.
Elsewhere, Maddie's teacher nervously met with a man in his abode, informing him of Maddie's impending visit the following night. The man, though initially agitated, soon calmed the teacher's fears, reassuring her that everything would unfold as planned. He was confident that the outcome would be favorable.
Erik, meanwhile, arrived at the White House for his mandatory drug screening. As he engaged in conversation with Ben, the latter was visibly concerned after perusing Arrington's report. Ben sought assurance that Erik was in good health and sought his opinion on Arrington, to which Erik noted that while Arrington treated Maddie with friendship, it could potentially pose challenges in the future.
Back at the university, Maddie sought Arrington's assistance in her preparations for the imminent art gallery opening. As she busied herself with the details, Arrington inquired if there was a particular someone she hoped to impress that evening. Maddie remained tight-lipped, her gaze focused on the task at hand. In a moment of kindness, Arrington offered Maddie a stunning necklace to complement her dress, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble.
Unexpectedly, Arrington made a last-minute adjustment, relieving Erik from his duty as Maddie's escort for the night. Erik, perplexed, questioned if her feelings for him had clouded her decision. Arrington retorted with a firmness that betrayed her commitment to her profession, reminding Erik that as a black woman, her position was hard-won and she couldn't afford to make mistakes. Erik nodded in agreement, acknowledging her sincerity and expressing his desire for her continued success.
In the library, Peter returned, sharing the insights he had gathered from Hawkins' wife with Rose. Rose reciprocated, divulging her findings on the missing Crown Prince, who once owned the enigmatic ring. What struck her as particularly suspicious was the Crown Prince's pursuit of an American defense contractor, Turn Lake Industry, led by Gordon Wick, for conducting covert operations in the Balkans before his disappearance. The coincidence piqued their curiosity, adding another layer of mystery to the already intricate puzzle.
Peter diligently updated Farr on the progress they'd made with Wick and their other discoveries. Farr promptly instructed them to deliver the evidence to the White House. Once the call ended, Rose delved deeper into the investigation and uncovered a web of connections between the Vice President and Gordon Wick.
Outside the library, Dale and Ellen impatiently awaited Peter and Rose's exit. As they lingered, Ellen broached the topic of starting a family, but Dale vehemently opposed the idea, arguing that their assassin lifestyle was incompatible with parenthood. As soon as Peter and Rose emerged, Dale and Ellen silently trailed them.
At the gallery opening, Maddie abruptly requested to use the restroom, only to sneak out through a nearby window. Arrington noticed Maddie's absence later, upon entering the bathroom to check on her. She found only an apologetic note scribbled on the mirror and immediately called for backup. Erik and the rest of the team swiftly responded to the call for assistance.
Meanwhile, Maddie found her way to her professor's home. He had been expecting her and had even prepared a meal. However, Maddie had other plans, opting to start with dessert. As the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate, the mysterious man with the rattlesnake tattoo suddenly appeared, murdering the professor in cold blood. He then dragged a horrified Maddie out of the house, leaving a gruesome trail of blood in his wake.
Erik voiced his suspicions about Maddie's relationship with the professor, but when they arrived at the professor's house, there was no sign of Maddie anywhere.
