Will and Angie nestle comfortably in bed when she catches the faint whispers of his nightmares, prompting her to suggest a comforting game of hooking to soothe his troubled mind. As their lips reconnect in a tender embrace, an unexpected work message buzzes Angie's phone, interrupting their moment. After she hurriedly departs, Will finds himself grappling with fragmented memories of Jack and his wife, Anna, their faces blurring like a faded photograph. Frustration gnaws at him as he struggles against the mental barrier, teetering on the edge of a breakdown just as Uncle Antonio arrives, ready for their routine trip to the dog park with their four-legged companions. Noticing Will's distress, Antonio inquiries, which Will glosses over with a forced forgetfulness.
Elsewhere, Angie and Michael dive into the mysterious demise of Harry Baker, a former Army Ranger. The night before his passing, Harry and his comrades had gathered at a lodge complete with a shooting range and ATVs for a reunion marked by revelry and camaraderie. However, their revelry turned solemn when Harry's lifeless body was discovered near the range the following day. In response, Angie decides to shut down the facility, realizing the necessity to meticulously examine every firearm and delve deeper into interrogations with Harry's friends.
Meanwhile, Amanda drops a bombshell: the discovery of Lily Watkins's body, a teenage girl who vanished thirteen years ago. In a society that often overlooks the disappearances of Black women, Amanda and Faith vow to ensure justice prevails this time, refusing to let Lily's case fall into the abyss of neglect as it did initially.
They delve into the final day of Lily's life, revisiting her past relationship with Derek, her ex-boyfriend. Subsequently, they reconvene with her father, Albert, who reaffirms that he had picked her up from her babysitting gig the preceding night and recalls her fondness for long runs. As they meticulously examine her bedroom, a sketch of a tree catches their eye, sparking a vivid memory in Will—he recalls seeing a similar design etched onto a flour canister back at his foster home. Intriguingly, he also witnesses Faith practicing her stealth in sneaking out through a window, prompting them to seek out Derek once more.
Pete reveals the grim details of Harry's demise—struck from close range at the back of the head, he expired before any subsequent bullets could inflict further damage. Angie expresses skepticism about the utility of fingerprints and gunshot residue (GSR) evidence, considering the myriad weapons involved. Michael finds it hard to fathom that one of their acquaintances could be capable of such a heinous act, leading them to interview Harry's widow.
She unravels a harrowing tale of an incident at Coast where Harry witnessed the fatalities of four Rangers firsthand. Haunted by this experience, he had recently perused some reports and yearned to discuss them with his friends, yet he was visibly apprehensive.
Will and Faith confront Derek, Lily's former beau, who comes across as hostile, defensive, and utterly uncooperative. They then turn their attention to the Royer family, for whom Lily used to babysit. The Royers had no qualms about Lily, except for one incident where they caught Derek and Lily kissing while their daughters slept. They mention Ethan, Mr. Royer's son, who was around Lily's age and had vouched for Derek. Eager to speak with him, Faith and Will are dismayed to learn that Ethan's life has spiraled downwards since Lily's passing, plagued by drug addiction and cycles of rehab and incarceration.
Will's mind drifts back to the refrigerator in his foster care home, a memory he tries to piece together amidst Amanda and Faith's discussion on leads. With renewed determination, Will asserts that they must track down Ethan.
When Angie and Michael inquired about the events at Coast from Harry's friends, Tank confessed that they had been restless, yearning for a thrill but never anticipating the loss of their companions. Wallace chimed in, relating how they had been caught off guard and misinformed that the threat level was green. The preceding night, Harry's incessant remarks about their ill-fated presence sparked a revelation in Michael.
Will reached out to shelters, his mind revisiting the harrowing moment of concealing the firearm and tucking its bullets away in a flour container, all to safeguard the innocent children. Upon discovering Ethan's recent visit to a center, Will and Faith rummaged through his belongings and stumbled upon a captivating sketch of Lily.
Meanwhile, Michael reconnected with his former military comrade, Rudy, catching up on old times before delving into the Coast ordeal. Rudy recounted it as a harrowing experience, revealing that they had unwittingly stepped into a code Orange situation. Michael relayed this information to Angie, who harbored suspicions that Wallace was behind Harry's demise.
Just as they prepared to address the matter, Crystal's tearful call interrupted Angie, pleading for a ride. Michael requested SWAT backup but reassured Wallace's friends that he would deploy them only as a last resort. Angie located a distressed Crystal by the roadside, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. The girl, overwhelmed by her circumstances, admitted to being with a man who abandoned her in an alley. Though she knew better, her lack of guidance often led her into unsavory company, using these encounters as an escape from her troubles. She confessed her inability to rest at the hospital due to its loud noises and peculiar odors, ultimately breaking down over Lenny. Angie vowed to stand by her side and secure a more suitable living arrangement for her.
In the depths of the woods, Michael encounters Wallace and endeavors to rationalize with him. Their altercation reaches its climax, culminating in Michael successfully persuading Wallace to allow himself to be handcuffed. Subsequently, Will confronts Ethan, accusing him of obsession and hinting at his ability to peer into Lily's bedroom. This confrontation jogs Will's memory, reminding him that Mr. Royer also possessed the means to access Lily's sanctuary. The realization triggers a vivid flashback to Will himself peeking into the flour canister, prompting him to abruptly depart the scene.
Back at his home, Will reenacts the haunting memory in his mind, dawning on him that it was his pre-teen self who had possessed, loaded, and utilized the firearm. Just as these revelations hit him hard, Uncle Antonio arrives once more. Amidst tears, Will's fragmented memories piece together, and his uncle offers comforting reassurance, attributing blame solely to the abusive monster, absolving Will of any guilt.
Elsewhere, Angie orchestrates a roommate arrangement for Crystal and Joey, setting the stage for their cohabitation. Meanwhile, Faith confronts Mr. Royer, presenting evidence of Lily's presence in his vehicle, underscoring the significance of Lily Watkins' case that has left Faith emotionally exhausted.
Over steaming cups of coffee, Uncle Antonio and Will share a poignant moment, with the uncle suggesting a therapeutic trip to Puerto Rico together. At Michael's abode, his friend Rudy pays a visit, captivating the children with his war narratives, prompting Rudy to realize the importance of sharing more of his experiences.
Reflecting on his personal growth, Will confesses to Angie his desire to cultivate kindness towards himself and others, expressing his earnest wish for their relationship to flourish.
