On the mountain at dusk, Trey reflects on Brendan's death and the unseen presences she half-believes in. She has stockpiled supplies in an abandoned cottage, planning to hide there for five days after exposing Johnny's scheme. She intends to show Rushborough the video of the men salting the river, expecting him to flee in fury, which would force Johnny out too. She has left her mother a note and brings Banjo for company.

Trey goes to Rushborough's cottage. He invites her in with unsettling calm, watches the video, and his polished demeanor drops away. He summons Johnny, who arrives terrified. When Rushborough demands to know who else Trey told, she insists no one. He backhands her, threatens Banjo, and reveals himself as the true power in the partnership. Trey lies that she acted out of resentment for how the townland treated Johnny, which her father gratefully believes; Rushborough sees through it but doesn't care.

Rushborough proposes a bigger con: Trey will plant a fake gold flake she 'found' at the mountain's foot, building local belief so the men will invest thousands in his fraudulent mining company. He keeps Cal's camera and stomps on Banjo's paw as Trey leaves. Outside, Johnny finally confesses the truth: Rushborough is a dangerous criminal Trey's father owes money to after a botched delivery, and the gold scheme is Johnny's desperate way of paying his debt. Trey threatens to throw away the gold flake if Cal is harmed.

Trey carries Banjo to Lena's. Lena examines the paw, finds only bruising, and insists Banjo stay the night. Trey unexpectedly asks Lena who killed Brendan; Lena admits she could guess but won't, and gently warns Trey, via a story about a teenage friend's pregnancy, against shutting adults out. Trey feels lonely and unable to confide.

Walking home alone, Trey resolves her course. She will play along with Rushborough and Johnny, weaponizing their con to financially devastate the men of Ardnakelty—her revenge for Brendan, since Cal's deal forbids violence. She will also find a way to protect Cal from the fallout. Her code now demands a blood price.