In the shadowy aftermath of a harrowing cliff, Episode 2 of "The Gone" Season 2 unfolds with Theo Richter (Richard Flood) lying unconscious at the foot of a hill, his mind wandering through a dreamy afternoon with Aileen Ryan (Carolyn Bracken). The dream is a stark contrast to his current predicament, as Aileen playfully teases him about the morbid setting of their meeting in his subconscious.
The episode quickly shifts to the grim reality of prison life for Ken Armstrong (Matt Whelan), who is being hazed for his actions against Sinead Martin (Rachel Morgan). Ken's fear escalates when Frank Pastors (Owen Black) confronts him about the Goatman case, extracting a confession that Ken had shared details with the lead investigator. Frank's menacing presence is felt as he later uses a hidden cell phone to send a threatening text, warning an unknown recipient that he will not be ignored.
Detective Sergeant Gwenda (Miriama Smith) discusses her plans to move into town with Sergeant Bruce Harris (Scott Wills), but the conversation is interrupted by Diana Huia (Acushla-Tara Kupe), who brings news of Frank's prison visitor list. Aileen and Linda Pastors (Rachel Bock) are the only visitors in two years, prompting a visit to Linda to question her alibi. Meanwhile, Richter wakes from his daze and manages to alert Diana to his location.
Sharyn (Renee Sheridan), Linda's associate, gives Bruce and Diana the same story, her demeanor changing when she suspects Diana doesn't believe her. In parallel, Richter searches a wrecked vehicle he's stumbled upon, uncovering clues that will later prove significant. Auntie Wiki (Vanessa Rare) is in town, posting missing posters of Aileen when she's approached by Gwenda with a request to rent her grandmother's house. Wiki initially declines politely but Gwenda's persistence brings up past tribal conflicts, leaving Wiki hurt and walking away without a response.
Sinead's relationship with Judge Hannah Martin (Michelle Fairley) is strained, especially when Hannah tries to counsel Sinead on her court case. Sinead leaves abruptly and ends up at a church, noticing Aileen's flyer and Ginge (Poroaki Merritt-McDonald). She asks him about spending the night inside, but he remains silent. Sinead then turns her attention to the graveyard where Colin Friends (Latham Gaines) hung himself, and Ginge becomes upset at her perceived disrespect. Sinead surprises him by sharing a story about a banshee spirit.
Back at the search, Richter shares his findings from the wrecked vehicle with Diana and Gwenda, leading them to re-examine Aileen's vehicle. Their second look reveals a handgun and a ringing phone, which dies before it can be answered. The detectives hit a dead end with the registration and tags of the wrecked vehicle until the Prison's CE calls with news about Linda's visits to Frank. The visit reveals that Linda was forced to smuggle contraband by one of Frank's outside contacts, but the CE never learned who it was. Diana also learns that Ken wants to speak with her, and their brief visit reveals his struggle with Ronan Garvey's (Simon Mead) death and prison life.
Michaela Armstrong (Alison Bruce) becomes frustrated with KC Ross Maley's (Phil Brown) defense of Ken and fires him. When Diana returns to the station, a call from the recovered cell phone comes in, but the caller hangs up upon hearing Richter. Shortly after, Bruce receives a call from George Anderson (Cameron Rhodes), demanding to know why his client, Derry Fallon (Aaron Monaghan), is being detained. Richter clarifies that they don't have Derry in custody and invites George to the station for further discussion.
With Ginge's help, Sinead continues her therapy by filming a video in front of Valerie Armstrong's (Ella Gilbert) house, condemning her for her role in Ronan's death. Meanwhile, Richter and his team identify Derry as an Irish gangster with a penchant for vintage handguns. Anita Fallon/Anita Dalton (Clare Monnelly) arrives at the station outraged, only to be read her rights in the interrogation room. She claims to have known about Derry's involvement with Aileen but insists it ended. Richter asks for her help unlocking Derry's cell phone, but she claims it's fingerprint-protected.
Auntie Wiki's search leads to a major break when she learns that Mason (Henry Rolleston) and Davinity (Kirimaia Noel) withheld information about a forest area due to a weed patch. Wiki ensures Davinity shares this with the detectives and escorts them there. The search team finds an old mine where they not only find Derry but also Aileen. A gun is on the ground, and Derry's arrest is uneventful, with Aileen appearing unfazed. The episode ends with an unidentified shooter taking a shot at either Richter or Aileen, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats for the next installment of "The Gone."