As the episode unfolds, DCI Jess James (Sinead Keenan) sits in tranquil silence, while Steve (Andrew Lancel) lends a helping hand to Elliot with his homework. Steve inquires about Jess's expected return time, prompting her to reveal that Debbie has filled her in on everything. She issues an ultimatum, demanding honesty or risk losing their bond. Elsewhere, DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) leaves a voicemail for Leanne Balcombe (Georgia Mackenzie), questioning if he might have inadvertently upset her.
Meanwhile, Joseph Kane (Louis Dempsey) informs Melinda Ricci (Myanna Buring) of her obligation to visit the police station for further questioning. At the station, DS Fran Lingley (Carolina Main) breaks the news to Jess that the DNA found on Gerard Cooper's shirt matches that of Asif Syed (Elham Ehsas). Buxton (Jane Jeffery) informs Jess of Taylor Cooper's (Pixie Davies) expulsion, stemming from an attack on a teacher. DC Karen Willets (Pippa Nixon) presents Jess with CCTV footage from the Whitney Marsh car park, dated February 24, 2021, at 3:29 am—twenty hours prior to Gerard's reported disappearance. A car is seen pulling into the lot.
Melinda confides in Patrick (Emmett J Scanlan), acknowledging she's been living a lie. He earnestly implores her to unburden herself, insisting he deserves better but professing his love for her nonetheless. Tears streaming down her face, she reciprocates her affection, kisses him, and departs abruptly despite his pleas.
Marty Baines (Maximilian Fairley) awakens on a bench by the beach. Back at the precinct, Jess and Fran delve into the storage units in Newcastle, situated between Gerard's pub and Melinda's apartment. Karen reveals that the license plate of the car seen at the Whitney Marsh car park does not exist. The discussion on the case continues. DS Murray Boulting (Jordan Long) shares that Dot Baines overdosed on barbiturates laced in her hot beverage, and Marty is missing. On the brink of a cliff, a distraught Marty lambasts himself for his foolishness and apologizes to Dot. A dog walker (Paul Painting) approaches, concerned for his well-being, but Marty dashes away.
In another voicemail, Leanne expresses her desire to discuss her life's turmoil with Sunny. At Central London University, Jess probes Juliet Cooper (Victoria Hamilton) about the possibility of Gerard's disappearance occurring a day earlier. Juliet cites a voicemail Gerard sent at 2:00 pm on the day he vanished. Jess suggests a growing distance in their marriage, which Juliet disputes. Jess reveals she spoke to someone at Taylor's school following her expulsion, upsetting Juliet to the point of terminating the meeting and denying Jess access to Taylor. Jess then receives a call from Fran, who reports that bartender Brianna West claims to have witnessed Gerard striking someone, insisting he also abused Juliet. Asif is confined in a jail cell. Taylor exits her school, hailing a taxi.Paul informs Juliet that she will be suspended pending an investigation into her conduct. In a fit of rage, she dumps the contents of her cup into his lap, hurls the epithet "prick" at him, and vows vengefully to bring him down. Without hesitation, he issues a stern command for her to clear her desk immediately.
During a video chat, Sunny expresses disbelief, stating that Juliet doesn't strike him as the type to tolerate mistreatment. Jess reassures him that anyone, regardless of gender, can fall prey to abuse. Their conversation delves into Gerard's notoriously abusive demeanor.
In a separate phone conversation, Juliet's solicitor, David Langham, advises that the police have the authority to question Taylor if they suspect she possesses information pertinent to Gerard's case. As a person of interest, her presence at any proceedings may be disallowed.
Meanwhile, at Altringham Gardens, Murray stumbles upon letters addressed to S. Dowari, piquing his curiosity. At a nearby church, Father Luke Ryan, portrayed by Damien Molony, politely but firmly asks Melinda to refrain from visiting anymore as gossip is spreading. She asserts defiantly that it is her church and she will continue to attend.
At the police station, Melinda confides in Sunny about her intimate relationship with Gerard in 2018, which abruptly ended shortly before his disappearance. She steadfastly denies any physical abuse, contrary to Sunny's revelation that they possess evidence suggesting otherwise. He presses her on email exchanges where Gerard appears to be threatening her for money, but she claims no recollection. He further inquires about her hastening her flight to Cork by two months; she explains it was merely to allow herself extra time before her employment commenced. She categorically denies ever encountering Juliet. When requested permission to search her storage unit, Melinda insists on a warrant and storms out.
Joseph suggests consulting Father Ryan, given his close bond with Melinda since Patrick's accident. Elsewhere, Susan informs Karen that her father, who suffered a stroke, claimed to have witnessed someone discarding something in Whitney Marsh at 3:30 am.
At Geordie Stores Self Storage, Terry, played by Robert Goodman, unlocks Melinda's storage unit for Fran. Back at the police station, Jess confronts Asif, informing him that his DNA was discovered on Gerard's shirt from the night he was assaulted outside his pub. He remains tight-lipped. Jess speculates that his aggression towards Gerard stemmed from the latter's mistreatment of the Dowari family. He declines further comment, and his attorney advises him to remain silent even when Jess posits that his actions three weeks later might have led to Gerard's demise.
Elsewhere still, Terry recounts to Karen a chilling encounter where an individual seemed to be removing something from a bag. Upon sensing his approach, they hurriedly replaced the item, picked up the bag, and walked towards him. Karen inquires if he witnessed the item being tossed into the marsh; Terry replies that he heard a splash twenty seconds later, followed by a car starting up. He offers to consult his diary for further details.
Clemmie, alias Debra Baker, crosses paths with Marty at the site that once housed Gerard's bustling pub. She breaks the news to him, revealing that Juliet has departed from their shared circle. Elsewhere, Gabriel, portrayed by Oliver Lansley, issues Melinda a four-week ultimatum through a video call, his tone grave and resolute.
In the cozy confines of a pub, Steve confesses to multiple affairs, acknowledging his battle with a sex addiction. His admission is met with Melinda's derisive laughter, labeling his plight as cliché. Steve insists on honesty as a crucial step towards a clean slate, but Melinda, dropping her wedding ring into his beer, declares an end to their relationship. She unleashes a torrent of emotions before storming out, leaving Steve to ponder his shattered life.
Elsewhere, Juliet urges Taylor to rein in her fiery temper, reminding her of a recent outbreak of anger. Taylor, recalling that moment of anger, hesitates. Juliet pleads with her to tell the police that she has no recollection of that fateful night, only to see Taylor turn away. Juliet, grasping her hand, offers a heartfelt apology, hoping to bridge the widening gap between them.
Jess confides in Kate, played by Kate Robbins, that tears are beyond her reach. Kate, steadfast in her resolve, vows to stay for weeks, offering a shoulder to lean on during Jess's turbulent time. At the church, Father Ryan shares with Sunny the bombshell news of Melinda's pregnancy by a married man, casting a pall over the sacred space.
In a jail cell, Asif's frustration boils over as he demands answers for his continued incarceration, his voice echoing against the cold, unyielding walls. Meanwhile, Juliet seeks forgiveness from Lizzie Jones, acknowledging her wrongs. Lizzie, compassionate yet firm, assures Juliet that while it's hard for them too, their only wish is to be heard, not to cost her her livelihood. Juliet responds with an earnest vow to listen. Just then, a call from Jess interrupts, summoning Juliet to bring Taylor in for questioning.
At Denbrook Street, Marty politely declines assistance from a concerned passerby. Back at the precinct, Frank updates Jess with stunning news: Gerard's DNA has been found on Melinda's jacket, a grim discovery that promptly leads to Melinda's arrest on murder charges.
As the episode draws to a close, the tension escalates at Juliet's residence, where an unseen intruder attempts to breach the sanctity of her home, leaving viewers on a knife-edge.
