The third episode of "The Waterfront" kicks off with Peyton, still very much alive but visibly shaken from her harrowing encounter, particularly as the masked assailants disappear into the night. This brazen display serves as a stark warning, and when the news reaches Cane, he is utterly terrified. The absence of the sheriff only fuels Harlan's suspicion that he might be behind the ordeal, leaving Peyton understandably fearful and dissatisfied.
This tense atmosphere persists into the morning, with Peyton giving her husband the silent treatment and demanding the truth. Cane feigns ignorance, yet he cautiously has his men keep tabs on Peyton just to play it safe. Meanwhile, Harlan pays a visit to Porter, who taunts him relentlessly throughout their frosty conversation. This stands in stark contrast to the warm interaction between Belle and Shawn. Belle unfolds her photos of Bebe, who recently passed away after a battle with leukemia. Shawn, who stood by her side through her treatment, learned towards the end of her life that Harlan was indeed his father—a "complicated man." Though Shawn contemplated leaving, he desires to confront Harlan and reveal his true identity. Belle, ever compassionate, allows Shawn to keep the cherished photos of his late mother.
Elsewhere, Bree engages Marcus in a discussion about the incriminating evidence she has gathered. Cross-referencing the shipping logs, it appears that Cane has been operating two vessels actively involved in drug trafficking. Marcus intends to ascertain if the boat has been tampered with, necessitating his personal inspection aboard the Morning Breeze. He reasons that if the Automatic Identification System (AIS) has been manually disconnected, it constitutes an illegal act, thereby strengthening the DEA's case to trail the boat on its next voyage. Marcus doesn't stop at investigating the boat's system; he also conducts thorough searches for drugs in the hold.
Regrettably, the scant resources he unearthed proved inadequate for a covert operation. The premises were immaculate, and the undertaking itself demanded an exorbitant sum for the police department's current finances, especially in the absence of tangible proof. To compound matters, Marcus's imminent return loomed on the horizon.
At the bustling fishmonger, Harlan introduced Cane to the two men who had assailed Peyton, now kneeling outdoors in a sorry state. They confessed to being in Porter's employ, divulging the identities of Peyton's assailants that fateful night. Harlan then urged Cane to take matters into his own hands and give them a thorough dressing down, which Cane promptly did before proceeding to visit Jenna.
Jenna confessed that her husband, Scott, was ill-suited for dealing with illness and had deserted her, leaving her to grapple with her father's failing health alone. Cane offered a comforting presence, yet her father's condition remained precarious, despite the presence of a nurse.
Meanwhile, Harlan found himself confronted by Belle, who exhorted him to mend fences with Porter. Little did he know, the sheriff had earlier paid a visit to the restaurant, threatening Belle mere moments before.
That evening, Harlan confronted Porter, intending to honor Belle's pledge of reconciliation. Seeking to advance with diminished animosity, Harlan proposed a truce and brokered a deal. He suggested organizing the runs directly with Grady, assuming all risks while still guaranteeing Porter his share. Harlan was convinced this was the prudent course, significantly diminishing the sheriff's exposure. Porter, however, rejected the offer outright.
Instead, the law enforcement officer drew a gun on Harlan. A fierce struggle ensued across the garage, culminating in Harlan plunging a knife into Porter's throat just as his own heart began to race erratically.
