We first find Jules examining Holston's file on George, questioning the reason behind its concealment. She swiftly scans the contents, discovering that George had never admitted to collaborating with anyone else. Suddenly, a porter appears at Jules' doorstep, delivering an urgent summons to Deputy Marnes' apartment.
Upon reaching Marnes' residence, Jules finds it transformed into a crime scene, with Marnes' lifeless body lying on the floor. Sims and Billings, the deputy favored by the Judicial to become the new sheriff, are already present, joined shortly by Bernard. Bernard instructs everyone to leave, granting the mortuary team access to collect the body for examination.
As everyone departs, Jules requests a moment to investigate for any potential evidence. She discovers a damaged wall and a note in Marnes' jacket pocket, with Doris Kennedy's name circled. Overwhelmed by confusion, Jules permits the team to enter and then heads to Bernard's office.
In Bernard's office, a suggestion arises for a joint burial of Marnes and Ruth. Despite the contrasting views presented by Sims and Billings, Bernard argues that such an arrangement would divert the attention of Silo's inhabitants towards a blossoming romance, preventing them from suspecting foul play. He asserts that this act would serve as a deterrent, discouraging people from pursuing love outside established boundaries. Additionally, Bernard proposes a race to the top floor, aiming to engage the citizens in revelry and merriment, thereby deflecting their inquiries regarding the Judicial's involvement in Marnes' demise. The unfolding events imply a calculated strategy to distract the populace when faced with difficult questions.
Before departing from Bernard's office, an angered Sims confides in Jules, revealing that prior to Marnes' death, he had visited his apartment. During the visit, Marnes expressed his intention of endorsing Billings as the new Sheriff. Sims further suggests that Marnes expected Jules to assume the position temporarily, anticipating her eventual failure, which he believed to be inevitable.
During the funeral ceremony for Marnes and Ruth, both Bernard and Jules serve as officiants, delivering speeches that highlight the significance of their contributions to Silo. The proceedings conclude with the customary Silo practice of tossing partially eaten apple pieces, symbolizing the absence of flowers.
Hank makes a heartfelt visit to Jules at the Sheriff's office, expressing concern for her well-being amidst the escalating dangers within the Silo. He advises her against being a solitary figure in her endeavors, encouraging her to seek assistance whenever possible.
In another tense encounter, Sandy engages in a frustrated conversation with Jules, acknowledging her reservations but urging her to solve Marnes' death without involving the judicial authorities. Sandy emphasizes that the Judicial's primary objective is to maintain order rather than uncovering the truth. Motivated by Sandy's words, Jules decides to leave the office and commence her investigation. However, Sandy suggests that she bring Deputy Billings along with her.
Their first stop is Charles Martin's residence, a convicted thief from fifteen years ago. Jules inquires about his whereabouts but dismisses him as a suspect due to his medical condition. Jules then sends Billings to have lunch at Charles Martin's home, while she takes a moment alone to study the pact. Continuing her investigation, Jules proceeds to the residence of Patrick Kennedy, Doris Kennedy's husband who had previously assaulted Marnes during their encounter. As there is no response at the door, Jules employs the pin concealed behind Holston's badge to gain entry. She discreetly explores the apartment, searching for potential clues, and unexpectedly comes across a box of rat poison hidden inside a cupboard. Additionally, she discovers a sketch of Ruth, drawn by Marnes and displayed on his wall.
Meanwhile, deviating from the usual routine, Billings pays a visit to the Judicial instead of returning home, where Sims is training Doug to become his apprentice. In the meantime, Jules locates Patrick and brings him in, suspecting that he may be framed for Marnes' death. Upon returning to the office, Billings sits down with Jules and discloses that he went to the Judicial to gather information about their ongoing investigation. He expresses his desire to earn her trust and reveals a disturbing proposal: the Judicial, utilizing their network of "listeners" who are loyal to them, is attempting to wrongly implicate Patrick instead of their primary suspect, Ralf Melby. Their motive behind this plot is to sabotage Jules' first case, enabling them to replace her with a puppet they can control.
As Jules rushes towards Patrick's location, the race up-top commences. Doug, serving as Sims' shadow, also arrives at the apartment, aiming to reach Kennedy first. However, Jules outwits him and directly accuses him of planting false evidence. She reveals that Kennedy moved away from that place six months ago, exposing their scheme to frame the wrong person. Just as Jules is about to apprehend Doug, he flees the scene, leading them towards the path where the race is taking place.
Amidst the distraction of the race, Doug manages to push Jules off the stair rail. However, she narrowly escapes a fatal fall. After his failed attempt, Doug heads down to the Janitor's room, a place frequently visited by Sims. Sims emerges from the room and shares a personal anecdote about being bullied by a child from the upper section of the Silo due to his janitorial background. He reveals that his father, despite being a janitor, found a way to punish the bully's family and subsequently took the child under his wing as his shadow. Sims emphasizes the crucial importance of the janitor's work within the Silo and, despite Doug's mistakes, expresses his willingness to mentor him. On an empty staircase, Sims ceremoniously anoints Doug as his shadow, causing him to become momentarily unaware of his surroundings due to excitement. Seizing the opportunity, Sims pushes Doug off the rail, resulting in his untimely demise.
At Judicial, the judge and Sims display an alarming level of nonchalance in their dismissal of the case surrounding Marnes and Ruth's deaths. Meanwhile, back at the office, Sandy informs Jules that she has requested a reassignment due to being constantly monitored by an unidentified individual from the up-top. In the mayor's office, Bernard finally opens up and expresses his acceptance of Jules as the new sheriff, offering her any assistance she may require. Jules requests a two-day leave to return to the mechanical area and bid her farewells, which Bernard agrees to.
During her descent, Jules unexpectedly encounters Lukas once again at the cafeteria. He reveals something he has been observing for a considerable period of time. They engage in a conversation regarding the celestial lights (stars) and how the cafeteria's display somehow repeats itself in a closed loop-like pattern.
Continuing her journey downward, Jules arrives at Martha's workshop. Martha is livid, expressing her anger at Jules for not prioritizing her own safety. She presents the knife she discovered, which had fallen from Jules' pocket during her encounters with Doug.
Jules proceeds to inquire about the relic that George had entrusted to Martha. She explains that the relic bears resemblance to the identification cameras used by the authority, but it contains incredibly small inscriptions on its surface that cannot be deciphered without a powerful magnifying lens. Martha further reveals that the two points in the pact now appear nonsensical to her, as they seem to be designed merely to discourage further inquiries from the citizens.
The first point revolves around the prohibition of mechanized transportation, such as lifts and pulleys, between the up-top and the down-below. The second point concerns restrictions on the use of high-powered magnifying glasses. These unanswered questions weigh on Jules as she confides in Martha about the sudden change in how she is being treated by the people up top. Jules believes it is the opportune moment to push for the reopening of George's case and seek answers from those in authority.
