Vengeance

A woman named Abilene "Abby" Shaw tragically loses her life in a remote field in Texas near oil rigs. The initial reports suggest her death was due to a drug overdose, which shocks her acquaintances and family.

New York journalist Ben Manalowitz receives a shocking phone call from Ty Shaw, who informs him about Abby's death. This revelation forces Ben to confront his fleeting romantic relationship with Abby, an encounter he struggled to remember.

Despite his initial hesitation, Ben decides to travel five hours to West Texas for Abby's funeral. This journey marks the beginning of his deeper involvement in uncovering the truth behind Abby's demise.

At the funeral, Ben meets Abby's family, including Ty, their mother Sharon, and Abby's siblings. He realizes that he was more significant in Abby's life than he had previously acknowledged, adding complexity to his emotions.

Ty confides in Ben that he suspects Abby may have been murdered, contradicting initial beliefs about her drug use. They agree to seek justice and uncover the truth behind her death, feeling a responsibility as the men in her life.

Ben collaborates with his producer Eloise to create a narrative around Abby's death, micro-analyzing the pain and denial prevalent in American society. This becomes a central theme in his podcast as they strive for a deeper story.

As Ben documents the family's experiences regarding Abby's death, he gathers insights revealing that they collectively believe she was murdered. This fuels Ben's determination to connect the dots and dive deeper into the case.

Ben meets Tyler's friend Crawl, who informs him about oil field parties and the ominous Afterparty area where many bodies have allegedly been found. This leads Ben and Ty to suspect Sancholo, a local drug dealer, may be involved.

During his investigation, Ben learns about Abby's dreams of becoming a singer. He meets Quentin Sellers, an unusual record producer, who provides recordings of Abby's music, touching on her creative aspirations and frustrations.

Ben confronts Sancholo, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing related to Abby's death. He reveals details about Abby's final moments, deepening Ben's confusion and suspicion about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Sheriff Jimenez discusses the complications of Abby's case, citing overlapping jurisdictions that hinder the investigation. This revelation further complicates Ben's quest for truth and justice.

Following a day at the rodeo with the Shaw family, Ben's vehicle is unexpectedly blown up. This act of retaliation shocks him and underscores the dangers surrounding his investigation.

A critical moment occurs when Ben fights with Ty, leading to their emotional confrontation about Ben's deeper connection with Abby. This discussion exposes both men’s struggles with grief and regrets.

Ben discovers a coded message from Abby that enables him to unlock her phone. This pivotal moment reveals troubling contact information, increasing the tension surrounding her tragic fate.

In a dramatic turn of events, Ben confronts Quentin at a clandestine party and secures a confession tied to Abby's tragic fate. Faced with a moral dilemma, Ben makes a fateful decision that irrevocably alters his journey.