Episode 5 of The Rookie's sixth season commences with Nolan and Juarez embarking on the night shift, a journey that Juarez aptly describes as nothing less than brutal. Her exhaustion is palpable as she momentarily forgets the suspect locked in the patrol car. As the night unfolds, they respond to a frantic call about a gunshot, and in the chaos of finding a victim clinging to life by the bedside, Juarez forgets to inspect the closet. It's only when Nolan notices, amidst the arrival of the paramedics, that they uncover a tiny bundle of joy - a baby hiding in the shadows.
Rushing the mother to the hospital, Luna scrambles to find a temporary shelter for the toddler, Anna. Nolan, with a heart of gold, offers to take Anna under his wing for the night, until Luna can secure a foster home or locate her next of kin. Initially, Bailey is hesitant, her fears stemming from a traumatic incident where a child she babysat narrowly escaped drowning. She confides in Luna, who gently reminds her that parenting, though daunting, is ultimately rewarding if the child is safe and loved.
Amidst this, Anna finds solace in the closet again, when Nolan is occupied with Oscar's deposition. Bailey's panic is palpable, but soon, she begins to embrace the idea of keeping Anna. She even broaches the subject with Nolan, who is delighted to see her perspective change. Alas, just as they decide to welcome Anna into their fold, her uncle swoops in to reclaim her.
Meanwhile, Bradford seeks to cheer up Chen with a thoughtful gift, setting the tone for a romantic evening. Tamara offers to vacate her room for the couple's privacy, but Bradford's abrupt departure after a mysterious call leaves Chen perplexed. She finds it odd that he refuses to disclose the reason, spending a long and restless night awake, leaving messages for Bradford on his phone.
It transpires that Bradford had sworn an oath with his army buddy, Mark Greer, to seek vengeance against a man named Ray, who had committed fraud in the military and led to the death of their comrades. Legally, Ray is presumed dead, but Bradford's vow remains unfulfilled.
However, Mark, armed with his sleuthing skills, had picked up whispers that suggested Ray was still alive. His diligent investigations finally bore fruit as he tracked Ray's flight into the city, following news of his mother's cancer diagnosis. He persuaded Bradford to keep a watchful eye on Ray's mother's home, ensuring Ray's presence within.
As the night wore on, Bradford's patience with Mark's moral quandary wore thin. He broke cover and made his way to Ray's mother's doorstep. Initially, she put on a facade of ignorance, pretending she didn't know her son was still alive, but the ruse was fleeting. Bradford discovered Ray's belongings in a room, and soon, Ray himself emerged.
For a man presumed dead, he appeared to be thriving. Manipulative and cunning, he mocked Bradford and Mark's threats of exposing him. It transpired that Mark and Bradford had kept Ray's deceitful activities under wraps to allow his wife to collect benefits. If they reported Ray, they would have to confess their own deception, jeopardizing their careers.
After their encounter with Ray, Bradford drew a line in the sand, refusing to aid Mark in his plans to eliminate Ray. He vowed to apprehend Mark should he pursue such a course. He offered to shoulder the blame and confess, but Mark dismissed it as a viable solution. Truthfully, it seemed far from ideal. Mark acquiesced, dropping his vengeance, but warned that if Ray harmed more innocents, Bradford would be held accountable. Unfortunately, the Ray situation had cast a shadow over Bradford's relationship with Chen.
Chen sought clarity, but Bradford remained tight-lipped, claiming he was safeguarding her from potential job loss. Unwilling to let it go, Chen demanded Bradford's departure. Later, she approached Nolan, seeking his help in uncovering Bradford's secrets. Nolan cautioned her against such a course.
On the flipside, Thorsen unexpectedly encounters Blair in a bustling bar. With a chivalrous gesture, he offers to buy her a drink and ensure her safe return home. Initially hesitant, Blair eventually relents, perhaps due to her vulnerability after being stood up. The ride home is briefly filled with an awkward silence. However, Blair inadvertently leaves her jacket behind in Thorsen's car.
The following day, Thorsen ponders over a possible mutual attraction between them and confides in Chen. Encouraged by her, he stops by Blair's office to return the jacket, but is teased by Chen when Blair appears indifferent. Doubts creep into Thorsen's mind, wondering if he's one of those men who delude themselves into thinking every woman they meet is enamored with them.
Meanwhile, Harper and Lopez delve into Anna's mother's case. Their investigation reveals that the father had a past with drugs but had turned over a new leaf. Further probing uncovers a tenant who fled after the family was murdered. They identify the man and bring him in for interrogation. He spills the beans, revealing that the family had won a lottery ticket worth $1500, and someone close to them seemed keenly interested in it.
Acting swiftly, the police move to apprehend the suspect. However, his mother rushes to his defense, leading to a tense confrontation. The criminal opens fire, but the police swiftly overpower and arrest him. After closing the case, Wesley drops by to inform Nolan that the judge has dismissed Oscar's lawsuit.
As Thorsen and Blair attempt to clear the air, Blair remains resolute, declaring that she has never been attracted to him. Elsewhere, Chen confides in Tamara about her relationship woes, who tries to lift her spirits. The scene shifts to Bradford, staking out Ray's residence. He trails Ray after he's picked up by an associate, leaving one to wonder what schemes might unfold.
