Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Ben Caspere's disappearance disrupts a land deal that Frank Semyon hopes will carry him out of organised crime. Frank has invested heavily in the railway development, but the Vinci city manager fails to appear when potential partner Osip arrives. Ray Velcoro, a detective who also works for Frank, searches Caspere's house with Teague Dixon. The disturbed rooms suggest something more serious than an unreliable businessman missing a meeting.
Ray's obligations to Frank reach back to information about the man who assaulted his wife. He is also fighting to remain part of his son Chad's life, despite doubts about their biological relationship. When Chad is bullied, Ray attacks the other boy's father and threatens the family. Elsewhere, county detective Ani Bezzerides finds her sister working at a legal adult-video operation and pursues a missing woman whose former workplace brings Ani back to her estranged father's spiritual community.
Highway patrol officer Paul Woodrugh faces a misconduct complaint after stopping an actress. Placed on leave, he struggles with the enforced distance from his motorcycle and the memories attached to his military past. During a dangerous night ride, he stops near the road and discovers Caspere's body arranged at a rest area. That discovery brings Paul, Ani and Ray to the same scene, while Frank waits for a partner who will never return to complete their deal.