Rusty drives to his weekly Wednesday lunch with Mansy Potter. Mansy, a retired judge, is a staunch supporter of Rusty’s innocence, and when Rusty moved to Skageon, Mansy reintegrated Rusty into society. Mansy persuaded Rusty to become a defense lawyer, and when the work was unsatisfying, Mansy gave Rusty his extra cases as a private arbitrator.

Rusty arrives at Trixie’s. Mansy is having a heated conversation with his son, Hardy, the Skageon County Prosecuting Attorney. Mansy apologizes and shares that his granddaughter, Mae, went camping and turned off her cellphone. Rusty grows concerned since Aaron and Mae have been dating sporadically, and drugs are a typical element in their relationship. Aaron was carrying drugs for Mae when he was arrested. Rusty confesses that Aaron also disappeared, and Mansy wonders if they’re eloping. Rusty asks Mansy not to discuss Aaron’s disappearance with Hardy yet, since Hardy will try to get Aaron’s probation revoked. Aaron has been in recovery from substance use since his release, so Rusty wants to give Aaron the benefit of the doubt. Rusty and Mansy fall into their usual lunchtime discussion before parting ways.

When Bea returns from her work as a principal, Rusty shares the news about Mae. Bea calls Aaron’s friends for information, and Cassity Benisch confirms that Aaron went out with Mae. All night, Bea frets that Aaron is using drugs again, and before leaving the next morning, she asks Rusty to text Aaron a warning. Rusty also suggests meeting with Joe, Aaron’s grandfather. Rusty receives a call from Aaron’s probation officer, Gertrude, who insists on bringing Aaron in for a drug test. Rusty explains that Aaron is out camping, but he’ll come in for his scheduled Monday appointment. Rusty thinks Hardy must’ve called in the tip. Rusty texts Aaron a warning that he’ll contact the judge if Aaron doesn’t reply by the end of the day.

Rusty recalls his time on the Social Policy Legal Review Council, where he officially met Bea. Mansy established the council to discuss curriculum changes and appointed Rusty to oversee it. Bea attended the meetings, and Rusty recognized her as the woman who read the Tribune. Bea’s intelligence impressed Rusty, but he knew he couldn’t pursue her in this venue. Rusty learned that Bea was divorced and raising her adopted Black son alone.

When Rusty’s term on the council ended, he immediately asked Bea out for a drink. Bea discussed her life in Skageon County. She dated Hardy in high school, and she stayed with her mom and her new sweetheart, Lloyd, when all her friends moved away for college. After 10 years of marriage, Bea and Lloyd divorced, and Lloyd remarried. Bea didn’t want to separate Aaron from Lloyd or from his grandfather, who, despite being abusive to Bea’s mother, was a great grandparent. Rusty discussed his past, but Bea already knew about the wrongful conviction.

Rusty immediately sent Bea another date invitation, and at dinner, the pair talked until closing time. Bea described Aaron and Mae’s turbulent relationship, and Rusty related to her stories, since his son once struggled with drugs. Rusty kissed Bea, and the next morning, Bea came to Rusty’s house with the Sunday Tribune. The pair had sex, and when Bea left, Rusty realized he’d quickly fallen in love.

Aaron doesn’t return, and Bea gets caught up at work, so Rusty visits Joe alone. Rusty is used to checking in on the terminally ill man, since Bea is still combative with Joe. Joe used to be a heavy drinker, but he gave up alcohol when he started chemotherapy. Joe remains irritable with everyone except Aaron. Joe is the son of migrant farm workers but grew up in foster care in Skageon. He joined the army and met his wife in Germany before he was sent to Vietnam. Joe renounced the United States military on his return, unionized a Chrysler plant, and retired early.

Rusty travels to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post that Joe frequents, but Joe isn’t there. Rusty waits at the bar and listens to the farmers’ conversations around him. Joe arrives, covered in mud, claiming he was working on his farm. Rusty asks about Aaron’s whereabouts, but Joe claims he knows nothing. Aaron said he might go north to be by himself, but he didn’t mention Mae. When Rusty leaves, Aaron finally messages that he’ll be home by tomorrow.

Despite his message, Aaron doesn’t return. Bea calms herself with a glass of wine by the lake. The large house on Mirror Lake where they live was Lorna Murphy’s house, which she gifted to Rusty when she left him and moved to California. Rusty and Bea travel to Como Lake for a birthday dinner, and when they return, Aaron still isn’t home.

In the middle of the night, Bea and Rusty hear Aaron in the kitchen. He’s half-naked and covered in dirt. Aaron doesn’t want to talk, but Bea demands an explanation. Aaron was with Mae because they wanted to talk about getting married, but after a huge fight, Aaron hitchhiked home. The journey took longer than expected because few drivers were willing to stop for a Black man. Aaron promised to help his friend Brice paint houses tomorrow, and he needs to return Mae’s phone to the Potters. Bea dismisses Aaron and goes to bed feeling like she has more questions than answers.

Later that night, a glow wakes Rusty, and he discovers Aaron burning his sleeping bag and backpack in the fire pit. Aaron shares about his and Mae’s fight. The couple planned to camp in Harold’s Woods without their phones to talk seriously about getting married. Mae was on her phone the whole time because she wanted to be an influencer. She was also using drugs, which she promised not to. After three days, Aaron took her phone and walked toward the highway. Mae followed him in her car, but Aaron hid in the trees. Mae screamed at him, peed on his camping gear, and drove off.

Aaron is disappointed in Mae, since he knows she has a good side. Aaron asks Rusty if he’s ever loved someone against his better judgment, and Rusty answers that he has. He knows it’ll be difficult for Aaron to move on, but Aaron will keep getting hurt if he goes back to Mae. Aaron still believes he can help Mae mature. Rusty understands, as he also tried helping Barbara through troubling times. Aaron laughs when he considers how happy Bea will be with Mae out of the picture, but Rusty knows Bea often complimented Mae. Aaron knows Mae also talked badly about Bea, but he never believed her. Rusty hugs and consoles Aaron.

Bea prepares for the evening’s dinner. Bea, trained by her mother on the piano, mimics a jazz record’s tune, and Rusty observes her with overwhelming love. Rusty thinks about the day his relationship with Lorna ended. Lorna took Rusty out to a fancy dinner, got drunk, and advised him to find someone who would make him happy. Lorna and Rusty started dating after Rusty’s release, but Lorna had previously written letters supporting Rusty’s innocence. Rusty realizes he subconsciously took Lorna’s advice when getting together with Bea because Bea is thoroughly happy. Bea’s joy rubs off on Rusty and draws him out of his gloom. After a year of dating, Rusty and Bea moved in together during the COVID-19 lockdown. Rusty is eager to get married so Bea will have access to his benefits and estate after he dies.

Charmaine, Mae’s mother, calls Bea and informs her that Mae isn’t home yet. She can’t contact Mae because Aaron dropped off Mae’s phone earlier that day. The news surprises Aaron, who figured Mae was back days ago. Aaron refuses to call the Potters, and when Aaron is out of the room, Rusty explains Aaron’s story to Bea.

Hardy Potter speeds into Rusty’s driveway. Rusty knows Hardy holds a grudge against him for a case Rusty tried against him. Hardy, who is still hung up on Bea, has also been particularly tense since gaining a competitor in the primary race. Hardy’s older brother, Mark, was supposed to follow in Mansy’s footsteps, but Mark died in Afghanistan, so Hardy had to take his place. Hardy, like many people in Skageon County, is notoriously promiscuous.

Hardy interrogates Rusty about Aaron’s whereabouts and curses the young man for leaving Mae in the wilderness. Hardy wishes he had steered Mae away from Aaron, but Rusty defends Aaron, knowing Mae is the usual cause of the couple’s troubles. Rusty shares his concern with Hardy, but he has no information. Rusty recounts the interaction to Bea and Aaron, and Aaron claims Mae had cash when he left. Rusty advises Aaron to call his lawyer before talking to Hardy. Bea worries about the optics of lawyering up, but Rusty wants Aaron to be protected in case Hardy tries to trap him.

When Mae doesn’t return by Monday, Charmaine calls again, but Aaron is out and doesn’t want to talk. Aaron suspects Mae is staying away on purpose to make him worry. Aaron and Joe have a consultation with Cap Sabonjian, Aaron’s lawyer, who advises Aaron to keep quiet.

On Wednesday, Cap calls Rusty and discusses his plan to get a non-use letter. The non-use letter will protect Aaron from being held criminally liable for anything he says, like the probation violations he must admit. Cap took on Aaron’s case during his first arrest, when Aaron bought ecstasy from an undercover cop. Cap got Aaron a reduced sentence, but Aaron was still expelled from college and continued to use drugs. During this time, Aaron was out of contact with his family and was always with Mae. He stole from Bea and Rusty to maintain his habit and lived with other people with drug addictions.

When Aaron was arrested for driving under the influence and drug possession, the Housleys let Aaron sit in prison for four months, hoping the experience would set him straight. Aaron joined Reverend Spruce’s sobriety program, and Cap developed Aaron’s probation agreement. Rusty was initially hesitant to be Aaron’s guardian, but Aaron showed maturity after his release. At the end of their call, Rusty asks Cap about Aaron’s theory. Rusty is worried Aaron is trying to preemptively set up a defense, but Cap doesn’t agree.

Rusty considers cancelling his lunch, as he suspects Mansy will be too upset, but Bea thinks cancelling looks worse for Aaron. At lunch, Rusty comforts Mansy, but he secretly wonders if Mae simply ran away. Mansy is concerned that Aaron’s desire for a non-use letter hinders the search for Mae. Rusty asserts that because Aaron is on probation, it’s the safest thing for him, and he’ll be happy to help when he gets that security.

Rusty tries to steer the conversation to lighter topics, but Mansy continues to argue about the non-use letter. The Potters are already searching northern Skageon, and Hardy might get the FBI involved. Rusty offers some suggestions for the search, which only angers Mansy further, since he believes Aaron could give those suggestions himself. Rusty asks Mansy to imagine if it were Mae on probation, but Mansy blames Aaron for stonewalling them. Rusty apologizes for agitating Mansy and gives his sympathies to the Potters.

On Saturday, Rusty sees two officers talking to Aaron in his driveway. Rusty bikes onto the scene and asks to see their credentials. He reminds the officers that Aaron won’t talk without a non-use letter, which he’s sure they know. Lieutenant Vanda Glowoski claims ignorance, but Rusty figures they were instructed to stake out the house and ambush Aaron. The officers return to their car and speed off. The police also asked Cassity about Mae and Aaron, and Hardy put notices in the media that Mae was last seen with Aaron. The increased media pressure affects the Housleys around town. Aaron wonders if he should help the police search, but Rusty advises him against it.

Cap reveals that Aaron’s surprise drug test was clean. Hardy sent the test out for a second analysis because he didn’t believe the results, and Cap suspects Hardy has a grudge against Aaron for his probation deal. On Thursday, Rusty returns home from a two-day work trip in Minneapolis. Cap calls him with a tip from a reporter that Mae’s remains were found in her crashed Subaru at Ginawaban nature reserve—one of Aaron’s favorite places. Rusty pours a drink and thinks about how he’ll tell Mae and Aaron.